Romance is in the air once again. Call me a cynic, but I believe that love should be celebrated spontaneously and not only on a specific day. I see so many people with long faces each year, their eyes conveying that they feel left out on this special day. There should be no pressure. Even though this day is for lovers, you can also celebrate family and friendship love, so switch it around if you happen to be single. Valentine’s Day is for you too.

I kept scratching my head while brainstorming for this piece. I thought, “What can I write about that hasn’t already been said, or covered?” The problem with this day is the unnecessary pressure it can place on many, especially the men. Home-cooked romantic meals seem to be the continuing theme. I figured, instead of the load being on one partner in the relationship, why not cook together this Valentine’s Day?

Fortunately, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday when most likely neither of you will be working, so make it fun. The majority of readers who have written recently have requested steak recipes, and my piece on meat last week seemed to have stoked the flames on this demand. Go shopping together, pick up your favourite treats and imagine what you are going to create with them. Select a great wine to pair with your meal, or if you don’t drink, your preferred non-alcoholic beverage. Plan your individual tasks and timelines, then get cracking in the kitchen!

Each person can be responsible for a dish, or share equal preparation time by chopping and slicing your ingredients together. Fix each other a drink and have some nibbles on hand to munch on while you get your cooking groove on; consider this your cocktail hour. Play some music in the kitchen to build up a vibe and dance in-between your culinary duties. Make it a day to remember by sharing the gift of your love, laughter and creating an unforgettable meal together.

Steak and Mushroom Sauce

Steak and mushrooms are a classic combination. This dish is ideally served with mashed potatoes and some steamed green vegetables.

Ingredients:

2 sirloin steaks

1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Sea salt to taste

25g unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, minced

175g mushrooms (a variety is nice)

3 sprigs of fresh thyme

2 tbs red wine

50ml heavy cream

Method:

Season steaks with cracked black pepper and salt.

Over medium-high heat, fry steaks in half the butter for about 3 minutes per side for medium or more if you want them well done, and less if you like them rare.

Transfer to a plate to keep warm by covering with foil.

Add the remaining butter to the pan with the garlic, mushrooms and thyme and cook until mushrooms are tender.

Pour in the wine and reduce until evaporated, reduce heat to medium and add cream.

Simmer until the sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon.

Serve steaks topped with mushroom sauce and your choice of vegetables.

Chocolate Mousse

Valentine’s Day screams chocolate for me. I prefer to use dark or bittersweet chocolate for my mousses. You know I love combining fruit with chocolate, so I am using stewed fruit at the bottom of my glasses which I top with the mousse. This recipe yields more than 2 servings; I can’t help myself, the rest you can share with family and friends unless your sweetheart is not begging for seconds of this delicious treat.

Ingredients:

4oz dark or bittersweet chocolate

1oz unsalted butter

2 tbs strong coffee, like our delicious Blue Mountain

1 cup whipping cream, make sure it’s very cold

3 eggs, separate whites and yolks

1 tbsp sugar

Fruits of your choice

Method:

Melt chocolate, butter and coffee together in a heatproof bowl over steaming water.

Whip cream until soft peaks form, keep cool in the fridge until ready to use.

Whip egg whites and sugar until soft peaks form.

Cool chocolate down until it is nice and warm, you don’t want it to be too hot, neither too cool, add egg yolks and mix well.

Gently stir in half the cream and fold in half the egg whites and repeat the steps until the mixture is fully incorporated.

Pipe the mousse into ramekins, glasses or whatever you decide to serve it in and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Serve with fruits or by itself with whipped cream.

Much Love to MegaMart.

Contact me at info@juicychef.com

Happy Valentine’s Day and Bon Appétit!