Every Day is Valentine’s Day

Although the national love holiday is behind us, I think a romantic, home-cooked dinner for two is welcome all year-round!

This menu is for the date nights to impress (with very little time for execution), elegant mains in under 30 minutes.

Tiramisu increases in flavour over time, so feel free to make this portion a few hours, or even a day before serving. No need to cross your fingers and hope that cake bakes in time for dessert. Make this effortless no-bake treat for easy serving and more time to spend with that special someone. Cheers!

(All Recipes Yield Two Servings)

Golden Beet and Burrata Salad

Ingredients 

• 4 Golden Beets, baked and sliced thin (for quick prep purchase pre-steamed beets and roast for 10 mins)

• ½  Package of baby arugula 

• 1 medium sized Burrata 

• Microgreens of Choice 

• ½ Cup Toasted Pine Nuts 

• 1 Bunch Chives, Chopped 

• 1 Bunch Mint, Sliced

• Shallot, sliced

• ½ Cup Olive Oil

• Balsamic Glaze

• Salt and Pepper to taste 

Method 

1. Toss all of the ingredients (except for the balsamic glaze and burrata) in a large bowl. Top with pieces of burrata and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Garnish with extra chives and mint. Optional: top with a drizzle of truffle oil! 

Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients

• ½ Package Spaghetti or bucatini pasta 

• ½ Cup Frozen Peas, thawed

• ½ Cup Pancetta, Diced

• 8 Giant Shrimp, Tails off, Cooked (Optional)

• 1 Bunch Chives, Chopped

• 1 Bunch Dill, Chopped

• 1 Egg, 4 Egg yolks

• ½ Cup Grated Parmesan 

• ¼ Cup Pecorino Romano, Grated

• ½ Cup Pasta Water 

• Salmon or Trout Caviar (Optional)

Method 

1. In a pan, render the pancetta fat and cook on medium-low heat until crispy. Cook pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water and reserve ½ cup of the water before straining pasta.

2. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, yolks, cheese, some of the rendered pancetta fat and hot pasta. Add pasta water until a sauce-like consistency is achieved. 

3. Serve topped with peas, shrimp, chopped herbs and an optional spoonful of caviar. 

Strawberry Tiramisu

Ingredients 

• 1 Package Lady Fingers Biscuits 

• 1 ½ Cups Whipping Cream 

• 4 Egg Yolks

• 1 Cup Sugar 

• 2 Cups Fresh Strawberries, ¼ cup Diced 

• ¼ Cup Water 

Optional Pistachio Crumble Topping

• 1 Cup Chopped Pistachios 

• 1 Bunch Mint, Chopped 

Method:

1. In a small sauce pot, combine strawberries, lemon juice, water and ½ cup of sugar. Cook on medium-low heat until a syrup like texture is achieved. You want it to be on the watery side. 

2. Combine egg yolks and ½ cup of sugar in a heat-proof bowl. Bring half of a pot of water to a boil, turn heat to low and place bowl with egg yolks and sugar on top of pot. Whisk for 10-12 minutes. 

3. Finally, place whipping cream in a bowl and mix until stiff peaks form. Fold your custard into the whipping cream until just combined. 

4. Dip your lady fingers in the strawberry syrup and layer with cream and custard mixture. Top with fresh strawberries, pistachios and mint before serving.