It is the month of love and couples are going an extra mile to express their love and affection for each other.
Keeping in mind that Valentine’s Day is three days away, we already predict that stores will be filled with people in search of the perfect gift for their 'bae' and restaurant bookings will be most likely unavailable.
Instead of sticking to the norm this year, consider this Glamour Guide to help you make a Valentine's Day spent at home the most romantic one yet.
Make Dinner Together
Taking your partner on a romantic getaway and wining and dining at a fancy restaurant is romance 101. Why not do something different this year like staying indoors and cooking together?
According to relationship experts couples who cook together connect on a more intimate level because of the creativity and interaction the exercise requires. Here are three recipes we think are perfect for the evening.
Warm chocolate &Strawberry sphere
Serves 4
Ingredients
Vanilla bean ice cream
Strawberry Salad
200g strawberries chopped
10g basil chiffonade
20g icing sugar
Method
Combine the strawberries, basil and icing sugar.
Set aside and allow to macerate for a few minutes before serving
Chocolate Sphere
Fondant mix
45g 70% chocolate melted
40g butter melted
1 egg
1 yolk
40g sugar
30g cake flour
100g panko bread crumbs
100g flour
2 eggs whisked
Method
Whisk eggs and sugar until light and creamy, add the chocolate and butter.
Fold in the flour. Pour into round moulds and freeze.
Once the sphere is frozen, coat with flour, followed by egg, followed by bread crumbs. Repeat the process.
To Serve
Deep fry the chocolate sphere in 180-degree Celsius oil until golden.
Serve on the strawberry salad with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Rose Terrine
For the Plum sorbet
3 cups sliced red plums, pips and skin removed
1 cup sugar
60 ml lemon juice
250ml Babylonstoren Mourvѐdre Rosѐ
Pinch of salt
1t rosewater (optional)
Method
Simmer all ingredients in over low heat for 1 hour, until plums are completely soft and have a thick compote consistency.
Remove from heat and blend in a food processor until smooth.
Taste and add a bit of honey if not sweet, or more lemon juice if too sweet.
Add rosewater if you like and stir through. Cover and cool down for 2 hours.
Pour into ice cream machine and follow ice cream machine instructions.
1-litre raspberry ice cream, fresh seasonal fruit such as persimmon, red plums and raspberries.
Line a small bread baking dish with plastic cling wrap—with the cling wrap hanging over the sides. Spread the bottom of the tin with the plum sorbet and top with raspberry sorbet.
Fold the cling wrap back over the terrine and place in the freezer until frozen and ready to use.
To assemble
Slice round circles of persimmon and plate. Top with a slice of terrine as well as fresh raspberries and a fresh red plum. Garnish with fragrant flowers and serve with an ice-cold glass of Babylonstoren Mourvѐdre Rose.
3. Blueberry Protein Pancakes
These blueberry protein pancakes are super easy to make, and you can enjoy them guilt-free.
Yields 8 small pancakes or 4 large pancakes
Ingredients
1 cup oats
2 bananas
4 eggs or 4 ‘flax’ eggs for a vegan version (1 tablespoon of flax seeds and 3 tablespoons of water replace one egg)
4 teaspoons baking powder
1-2 scoops protein powder
Pinch of salt
Pinch of cinnamon
Handful of fresh blueberries
Method
Run everything through a blender until well mixed.
Heat a non-stick pan to medium heat. Add batter in small circles, sprinkle some fresh blueberries on top. Turn them over and cook until they are done.
Enjoy with honey and double cream Greek yoghurt or maple syrup and coconut yoghurt for a vegan version.
Music Playlist
As you heat the kitchen up with your partner a little background music to set the mood for your romantic dinner is a requirement. Here are a few timeless South African hits to consider.
Samthing Soweto
undefinedMandisi Dyantyis
undefinedAmi Faku
undefinedZonke
undefinedNetflix movies to watch
As cheesy as it may be, the best way to unwind with the one you love is a few hours of Netflix & chill on the sofa. Here are a few classics to consider that are available on Netflix.
Hitch
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Life As We Know It
undefinedCrazy, Stupid Love
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