Heart Healthy Valentines Menu for Two
If you’re looking for a Valentines Menu that doesn’t add more love handles then try this heart healthy home cooked menu for two.
The relationship between food and love is an intimate one, if you’ll excuse the pun.
Newly loved up couples are experiencing an abundance of ‘reward’ hormones that give them that can’t eat or sleep feeling, because these hormones also suppress appetite.
On the other hand once the honeymoon period is over and we settle down to a comfy life for two revolving around home cooking and evenings on the sofa (because you’ve no need to go out looking for a mate) mean that most people gain weight once they get married!
But that’s not a dilemma I want to discuss here. This post is about loving food, loving your body, loving the person you’re sharing your meal with, and well, loving more food! Good food doesn’t have to be unhealthily decadent. Decadent ok yes, but not unhealthy.
It’s hard these days to make time for each other – long work hours, children, lack of energy. If you only do it once a year, make sure you do make time for that once in every 365 days special meal with that special person. There really is nothing like a homemade gift, and nothing so inherently tied to love than food.
Breakfast: Red Velvet Pancakes with Raspberry Coulis
Making a heart picture out of your food is of course optional, but having something that is a) delicious and b) very healthy should be mandatory every day of the year. Tip: you can make the pancake batter the night before and just cook it in the morning, and same with the coulis which just needs reheating if you want (or can be eaten cold). I used a heart shaped mini egg pan which was a random present from someone, it’s this one from Lakeland.
Click here or on the photo to go to the recipe.
Alternative Breakfast / Snack: Red Velvet Anniversary Shake
If you’ll be in too much of a hurry to make pancakes or prefer something quick to have on the go then this will appear to you smoothie lovers (known as ‘Smooth Lovers’ on Valentine’s surely?). Don’t be scared of the beetroot, it doesn’t taste like vegetables. It’s just rich, sweet, chocolatey yumminess (and very healthy too)
Click here or on the photo to go to the recipe.
Starter: Beetroot Stained Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon is an indulgent special occasion choice, but just check out that colour! Nothing says Valentines like pink food! Plus beetroot increases blood flow, so well in fact it’s used as a sports supplement. Might be a bonus later in the evening too…..;)
Click here or on the photo to go to the recipe.
Main Course: Beef Wellington
This was a special request in my free Facebook Group, and I agree it’s a great one for sharing. There’s something romantic about sharing one large piece of beef rather than two smaller ones, though you could make two individual wellingtons if you wanted to. It’s not the cheapest cut of beef either, so nice for a special occasion and to say ‘you’re worth it’ to your special someone.
Click here or on the photo to go to the recipe.
Side Dish: Creamed Cabbage
I love the serving cabbage with beef. I also think Valentines Day calls for a little more effort than just steamed or boiled veg. This doesn’t take long though and in fact you could make it in advance then reheat it no problem.
Click here or on the photo to go to the recipe.
Pudding: Strawberries & Cream Chocolate Chia Pudding
It had to be chocolate and strawberries of course. Don’t be mislead by the word cream, this is a very healthy recipe (not that there’s anything wrong with cream, especially on Valentine’s Day). Coconut milk fats however are a different sort of saturated fat; they’re ‘medium chain’ which makes them easier to break down for energy, which combined with the ‘feel good’ properties of chocolate could come in useful later in the evening…:). You could make one larger pudding and share it for an extra romantic touch, unless you’re like me and get a little possessive over your chocolate..
Click here or on the photo to go to the recipe.
Did you try any of these recipes? What did you think? What did your other half think? If not what did you cook? I’m always looking for new ideas! Let me know in the comments.
Polly
xxx