Valentine’s Day: ideal dishes for date night

As the majority of us are unable to dine out for Valentine’s Day this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to brush up on those cooking skills and make some delicious home cooking for your other half.

If you’re planning to recreate the fine dining experience, we’ve compiled a few of our favourite starters, mains, desserts and cocktails, so you can make a full 3-course menu for that special person in your life.

If you’re looking for a healthy starter for your Valentine’s date night, these roasted red peppers, stuffed with broccoli and maple tabbouleh are a great option. They’re full of vegetables and, taking less than an hour to prepare and cook, you’ll have plenty of time to make your others courses too.

Alternatively, these crispy potato, bacon and maple rostis make a great starter and are the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. They’re made with dark maple syrup, known for its robust taste, and with added chilli flakes and red onion, they’re sure to give your tastebuds a kick!

For your main, why not have a go at making James Golding’s maple grilled pork chop with whipped potatoes and pickled maple vinegar fennel salad? It’s packed full of flavourful ingredients such as mustard, maple vinegar, fennel, parsley and garlic, so will be a delicious Valentine’s treat for you and your other half.

To create a main that’s more Italian-inspired, this chicken, bacon and pea penne with maple is a healthy and delicious dish which can be accompanied by a side salad or a few pieces of garlic bread. The maple-infused dressing elevates the dish and the sweetness of it works particularly well with the smoked bacon – a match made in heaven!

When it comes to dessert, you can’t go wrong with Manon Lagrève’s maple croquembouche. You’ll be sure to impress your other half by whipping up this recipe which includes making your own choux pastry, maple crème pátisserière and caramel, and the end result is a delicious and indulgent croquembouche stack.

Or, if you’re looking for something a little fruitier then this raspberry mille feuille with maple custard will certainly get you excited. Taking just 35 minutes to prepare and make, it’s great if you’re rushed for time – but be careful not to break your pastry sheets as they’re very fragile.

If you fancy a traditional, fruity cocktail to complement your meal then this maple-infused take on the classic Sex on the Beach recipe, Maple on the Beach, is just for you. Made with six simple ingredients, this drink will certainly transport you to a tropical paradise.

In the mood for a short, refreshing cocktail? Try this Maple Quebec Smash. This classic tipple is simple to make, with just four ingredients and a sprig of mint to garnish, and the robust, dark maple syrup complements the bitter fruit juices perfectly, adding a depth of flavour.

Valentine’s Day may be a little bit different this year but it’s still a time to celebrate with the person you love – and what better way to do that than with a home cooked meal, made with love?