Dining at Home this Valentine’s Day
This time of year, it can be difficult to reserve a table for dinner, and with the hustle and bustle of many restaurants why not dine at home this Valentine’s Day? After all, home is where the heart is!
In this blog, we have collated recipes, restaurant boxes, cocktails and table setting ideas to make dining at home this Valentine’s Day extra special. Read on for our romantic tips.
Home Cooking
There’s no better way to show your love than with a home-cooked meal. Whether it’s a family recipe, from a cookbook or from many the recipe boxes on offer, home-cooked meals show just how much you care.
Saint Valentin Set Menu by Côte
It’s now even easier to create delicious freshly prepared meals at home, regardless of your cooking ability with Côte at Home.
This year Côte have created the perfect three-course Valentine’s meal lovingly prepared by their chefs to help celebrate Valentine’s in style.
The Saint Valentin 3 course set menu ranges from £84.95 to £104.95 and is available for delivery from 9th February 2022 until 14th February 2022.
Order your recipe box here
Valentine’s Day Recipes
Lobster Mac and Cheese with a Crispy Kale Topping (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
For the Lobster
- 1 lobster (about 800g)
- 25g unsalted butter
- 25g plain flour
- ½ tsp English mustard
- 140g grated cheese (cheddar and Gruyere)
- 1 lemon, juice only
- Salt and pepper
- For the Crispy Kale Topping
- 200g kale
- 75g grated parmesan cheese
- 50g fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 lemon, zest only
- Salt and pepper
- 200g macaroni
Method
- If using a fresh lobster, put it in the freezer for 2 hours before cooking. Then, having made sure that the lobster is no longer moving, push the tip of a large, sharp knife through the centre of the cross on the head.
- Place the lobster on a perforated container and steam at 100°C for 12 minutes.
- When the lobster is cool enough to handle, remove all the meat and keep the shells.
- If there is any roe in the lobster, keep it together as it will add to the flavour.
- Place all of the lobster shells on a baking dish and roast at 200°C (fan oven) for 30 minutes.
- Cover the roasted shells with cold water, bring to a boil on the hob and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Strain the lobster stock and keep until needed.
For the Crispy Kale Topping
- Mix the kale with 1 tbsp of olive oil, spread it over a baking tray and dry in a warming drawer or capable oven for 3 hours at 85°C.
- Crumb the kale and add the rest of the ingredients. Set aside until needed.
For the Mac ‘n’ Cheese
- Boil the macaroni in salted water for 3 minutes – this will be less than stated on the packet. Drain and set aside.
- To make the lobster sauce, heat the butter in a large frying pan and then add the flour.
- Cook the flour for 2 minutes and then gradually add the lobster stock (around 500ml), boil the sauce for 5 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon, making sure that it is smooth with no lumps.
- Check the seasoning and adjust to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Mix the pasta, lobster sauce, cheese and chopped lobster and place it in an ovenproof dish.
- Sprinkle with the crispy kale topping and then place the dish over the wire rack, slide the rack into position three of the oven and cook using the Conventional Heat setting at 200° for 20 minutes.
Cocktail: Peach & Rose Fizz
Nothing says romance more than roses and champagne, and this simple cocktail combines them both in one delicate and fruity treat.
Ingredients
- 500ml peach juice, chilled
- ½ tsp rosewater
- 750ml bottle of prosecco, chilled
Method
- Mix the peach juice and rose water in a jug.
- Divide between 8 Champagne flutes or cocktail glasses, then top up with Prosecco. Serve immediately.
Setting the Scene
Setting the Scene
With Valentine’s meal in hand, you can now turn your attention to creating the perfect romantic environment. You can create a romantic evening in the comfort of your home with these few simple tips:
- Choose a colour scheme; this could be traditional reds and pinks or your partner’s favourite shade.
- Start with a tablecloth to transform your table and create a sense of occasion.
- Lay a complete place setting including placemats or chargers, cutlery for all three courses, along with water and wine glasses – and perhaps a champagne or cocktail glass too.
- Accessorise with serviettes, whether fabric or paper and get creative with how you display them.
- Light candles… don’t be shy; you can never have too many.
- Display fresh flowers. Choose your partner’s favourite or opt for classic roses.
- Print the menu in a decorative font and display it on each plate. Alternatively, you could place a flower on each setting or write name cards.
- Finally, music is a great way to set the scene and complete your romantic atmosphere. If you don’t have time to create your own playlist, here is one pre-made from Spotify.
There is no right or wrong way to create a romantic atmosphere; what’s most important is the thought and effort that you have made. Have fun with it, and experiment with ornaments and items from around your home to create a beautiful Valentine’s Day scene.
We hope these ideas, recipes and tips will help you on your way to having a wonderful and romantic dining experience at home. If you’ve enjoyed this read, be sure to browse our other blogs and recipe ideas.