Rediscover Valentine’s Day!
For most people, the 14th of February consists of: overpriced, overcrowded restaurants filled to the brim with couples who aren’t talking to each other; tasteless heart-themed cards; tired, formulaic romcoms and lots of people trying to sell you stuff. The idea that this is a day to celebrate love seems to have got lost somewhere. 

Rather than going out, why don’t you stay in and cook together? Plan a special day with your loved one where you go to the market, get some beautiful flowers for your home, a great bottle of champagne/sparkling wine and fresh food that you are going to prepare together. Luckily, Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year. Instead of that crowded restaurant, enjoy your home cooked dinner by candlelight, without the miserable-looking couple on the next table trying to listen in on your conversation, because they ran out of things to say year’s ago.

Couples who cook together are happier!
A survey by Dr. John Gray found that 70% of married couples who cook together are generally happier than those who don’t. Here are some of the reasons why:

• improved communication and team work
• working together towards a common goal – creating something delicious
• bonding time
• keeping the relationship fresh by learning things about each other

Finally…it is both cheaper and healthier than that packed restaurant

Here’s the aphrodisiac Valentine’s Menu I’ll be trying this year:

start with…
Champagne or Basil Ginger Drop & Szechuan Spiced Nuts

Marinated Beetroot & Feta Salad
***
Sirloin Steak with Chimichurri and Parsnip Purée
***
Basil Panna Cotta with Strawberries in Prosecco Syrup
or
Stilton & Honey-Thyme-Pear Paté

finish off with…
Champagne Truffles

What the whole Valentine’s industry seems to have missed is that the essence of romance is being both unique and spontaneous. It is with this in mind that I suggest a perfect end to your special evening: my ‘Champagne Truffles’, which, like all the best things in life, take time to prepare, but the smile that you see on your partner’s face when they bite into the first one will be worth every moment!

Recipe
makes 18 truffles

100ml / 3.4oz champagne
3 tbsp double cream
3 tbsp butter
1 vanilla pod
200g / 7oz white chocolate   – finely chopped
100g / 3.4oz dark chocolate – finely chopped

Decoration:
dark cocoa powder and / or
icing sugar

Method

1. Start the day before. Pour the champagne in a saucepan and reduce by half (〜5-10min). Put on the side.
2. Halve the vanilla pod, scrape the seeds into another saucepan along with the double cream and the butter – bring to a boil. Put the white chocolate into a bowl and pour the cream over it as well as the reduced champagne. Mix with a spatula until everything is melted (it is crucial that the chocolate is finely chopped otherwise it will be difficult to melt).
3. Leave the chocolate mixture covered with cling film to cool in the fridge overnight.
4. The next day, take the mixture out of the fridge. With the help of a teaspoon, scoop out 18-20 pieces. Lay them on a tray with baking parchment. Let them chill for 30min in the freezer. Now they are ready to be rolled.
5. Roll each truffle with your palms into a ball. Place them back on the tray with the baking parchment and put in the freezer for another 30min.
6. 5min before the end, start melting the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. When the chocolate has just melted, take the bowl aside (if the chocolate gets too hot it won’t stay glossy!).
7. With the help of 2 forks, dip one truffle at a time into the melted chocolate, hold it with the fork over the bowl so that the excess chocolate can drain back into the bowl. Place the dipped truffle back on the baking parchment.
8. Put the truffles immediately into the fridge to cool down. When ready to eat, sprinkle with dark cocoa powder or icing sugar.
9. You can keep them for a week in the fridge or prolong this period by freezing them.
10. Enjoy!

Tips / Variations

• Make sure to use good quality chocolate as it will have a big influence on the taste.
• Try other variations by skipping step 1 and exchanging champagne and vanilla pod with: 3 tbsp Baileys (make the filling with milk chocolate and 100ml/3.4oz cream); 2-3 tbsp rum (make the coating with white chocolate and roll in shredded coconut after dipping); 2-3 tbsp kirsch (make the filling with dark chocolate and 200ml/6.8oz cream).
• These ‘Champagne Truffles’ make a perfect gift for loved ones!

Print recipe here: Champagne Truffles Recipe

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