IF YOU tend to spend Valentines Day coyly receiving deliveries of flowers and drowning in dinner invitations, you may well ask, 'what's not to like'?
But if you're an onlooker at the love parade, these public displays of affection can make you feel like stabbing yourself - or someone else - with Cupid's arrow.
And for those who've bagged a date, apprehension mixed with culinary aspiration can make for an exhausting evening. There's no need to panic.
Set the perfect tone not with an overly complicated meal, but with sensational simple treats that will leave your partner hungry for more.
Chocolate is always a winner. A simple option is to melt some rich dark chocolate and enjoy it with a bowl of plump, juicy strawberries to be dipped individually into the luscious liquid.
And this easy chocolate mousse comes together in a blender or food processor in a couple of minutes.
If breakfast is more your speed, try a grilled grapefruit or a scrummy strawberry muffin.
EASY VALENTINES CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
- 200g dark chocolate
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup double cream
- 1/2 tspn vanilla essence
- 1 egg
Break up the chocolate in the blender or food processor.
Add the boiling water. Blend for 30 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients and blend for 15 seconds.
Scrape down sides, and then continue blending until smooth. Pour into dessert dishes or glasses and refrigerate until set.
Serves 2-4 (depending on your serving dishes).
