A little spice to begin with........ day 39 of 100 food stories.

Valentine's Day starter for two -Herb & Chilli Calamari.

If you're hoping to impress this Valentine's weekend with a 'restaurant at home' style experience, go all out with this evening's menu.  We start with a spicy little number and knock their socks off with the main course!  And that raspberry sauce with my mixed berry torte?  They'll be coming back for more.....

     
Valentine's Day dinner menu for two.
 
Starter
Herb & Chilli Calamari.

Main Course
     Steak with mushroom puff tartlets, Parmesan sauté potatoes with honey greens.

​Desert
Mixed Berry Torte with a Raspberry Sauce

Starter

Herb & Chilli Calamari.

Ingredients:
50 mls of milk.
50 grms cornflour.
50 grms flour.
1 fresh squid , cleaned & cut into rings ( ask your fishmonger to do this)
1 red chilli.
3 spring onions chopped.
A handful of peanuts. 
Chopped coriander.

Method:

1. Soak the squid rings in milk for 10 minutes( I use ziplock freezer bags for both the milk & flours)
2. Put both the flour & cornflour into another bag.
3. Shake the milk & dip into the flour mix. 
4. Heat the deep fat fryer to 195. Lower squid into fat fryer and cook for 3-4 mins until nicely coloured & crispy.
5. Serve on a bowl of mixed leaves & finish with chopped chilli, spring onion, peanuts & coriander.

Steak with mushroom puff tartlets, Parmesan sauté potatoes with honey greens.

​Main course

​Steak with mushroom puff tartlets, Parmesan sauté potatoes with honey greens.

Ingredients:
2 steaks( fillet or strip loin)
3 tablespoons oil.
10 mushrooms, sliced.
1 red onion, peeled & finely chopped. 
2 sprigs of thyme.
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
3 tablespoons cream.
2 tablespoons brandy.
Seasoning.
1 sheet puff pastry.
1 beaten egg for egg wash.
4 potatoes, peeled & cut into dice.
25 grms grated Parmesan.
Truffle oil ( optional )
8 florets of broccoli.
1/4 head of cabbage, inner stalk removed & cut into fine strips.
100 grms peas.
2 tablespoons soy.
2 teaspoons honey.
2 teaspoons sesame oil.
1 tablespoon poppy seeds.

Method:

1. Turn oven onto 200. Cut the puff pastry into 2 - 12 cm circles. Score a circle 2 cm from the edge, then prick the pastry inside the border with a fork, egg wash  & pop into the oven for 12- 15 mins until nicely brown. Press down the risen middle. ( can be made ahead & reheated in the oven)
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil & gently fry the chopped onion & sliced mushrooms for 5 minutes. Then add the mustard & season. 
3. Add the brandy, let it bubble for a minute & then add the cream & pull off the heat. Can be made earlier & reheated.

Potatoes:

1. Peel the potatoes, cut into dice.
2. Cook in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, drain & pop onto baking sheet.
3. Drizzle over 1 tablespoon of oil & pop into hot oven for 15 minutes (can be prepared to this stage & popped back into a hot oven when you are reheating the puff tartlets).
4. Remove from oven, season & scatter over the Parmesan.
5. Set aside.

Honey Greens:

1. Pop on a pot of water to boil, add broccoli & cabbage & give them a rapid boil for 3 minutes.
2. Add the peas & cook for a further 2 mins.
3. Drain into a colander & pop the colander under the cold tap for a minute & then shake them dry. Set aside (can be pre prepared up to this stage) 
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil & sesame oil in a pan ( I use a wok ) & toss in the vegetables.
5. Add the soy & honey & give everything a good shake, season lightly & sprinkle with poppy seeds.

 
To serve:

1. Preheat the oven ready to receive the potatoes & tartlets.
2. Heat pan for the steaks & cook to your likening.
3. Reheat the greens & the sauce.
4. Pop tartlet on the middle of the plate & spoon the sauce over it.
5. Top with the steak & serve potatoes and greens on a side plate.

​Dessert

Mixed Berry Torte with a Raspberry Sauce

​This is a full cake, the first this week. In the spirit of love & sharing drop some slices off to your neighbours or friends, if you are in the safe travel zone❤️

Ingredients:
175 grms ground almonds.
175 grms of flour.
175 grms butter.
175 grms sugar.
2 eggs .
300 grms of mixed soft fruit.
2 tablespoons icing sugar.
1 punnet raspberries.

Method:
Oven @190

1.  Pop the first 5 ingredients into the mixer and give everything a good mix. Turn off & fold in the fruit.
2. Pop into a lined  8 inch deep tart tin. Bake for 45 mins, remove & leave to cool.
3. Put the raspberries  & icing sugar in a  bowl. Mix well & press through a fine sieve. You want a nice smooth sauce, no pips😂