Valentines on easy street

I’m not sure yet what I feel about Valentines day to be honest. I just see it as a day that puts a lot of pressure on many people, and cannot be enjoyed by everyone the way lets say Christmas is. If you are in a relationship or married, there are certain expectations, if you are single, for some there may be a certain moroseness, pardon my English. Lol. Oh, some in fact many will probably get engaged on Friday, some may get what they want, most probably wouldn’t and if you’ve been married or dating for a while, the zeal kinda disappears after a while. I guess, you don’t need a day to remember the person you love, to be sweet to them and thoughtful, well that’s just me, what do I know. Loooool.

One common thing with Valentines is food, and I don’t mean restaurants, I mean all sorts of recipes for “valentines” will be popping up all over the place, and some poor, going all out to impress people (most likely women) will plan to be so ambitious and most of the time, that very pretty plate of food you were challenged to try for Le boo ends up in disaster, and you’ll be upset. Le Boo will probably eat the food for your sake, all the while mentally kicking themselves for not insisting you guys go out for dinner or something.

So, this post while commemorating Valentines, is a no pressure, laid back, no need to fall over yourself for and no tears, I promise. I am just taking normal everyday food items and making them special. It is the thought that counts they say. It is not as if you can’t go all out and do something special for the one you love, but there’s that uncanny self-inflicted, subconscious pressure you are under to impress on Valentine’s day that if you made that same dish on another day, it would probably be a breeze. So, save all the fancy, complicated for lets say the week after and take basic food and give it some va va voom. Sweet and thoughtful that is guaranteed to an elicit a smile without you breaking a sweat.

Here’s my interpretation of Valentines on Easy Street

Breakfast – simple but special, make my Crepes and serve with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. Who doesn’t love Pancakes for breakfast

Valentine’s Dinner

Starters – do something that involves eating with your hands. There’s something extra romantic and bonding when you eat together with your hands, so make a wrap for example. Gather easy and simple fresh ingredients to fill your wrap and hands everywhere, picking and choosing, wine flowing, conversation getting started, while having a laugh together. You can make light, fun wraps. An example is my Giz dodo Fajita wrap (recipe HERE) below. You can also make Grilled Chicken Shawarma.

Main Course – who said rice is boring. If that’s what you have at home and can quickly put together, make it fun by using fun shaped moulds. If you’ve got kids, I am sure there must be something of theirs you can turn into food moulds. Here’s my Happy Home Jollof and Fried Rice, with shrimps used to form the heart shape and baby tomatoes used to signify fruitfulness and abundance. Link to Rice Dishes HERE.

Set the table, to set the mood. Don’t forget the scented candles

Dessert – They say things are better in two’s, well here’s my Banana bread fingers and salted caramel popcorn ice cream.

They say things are better in two’s Grab your forks and both of you can share dessert.

After dinner drinks – While you snuggle up on the sofa or in bed, let a hot cup of Mexican Hot Chocolate be the third companion. The only time where the phrase three’s a crowd is actually welcome. Remember to add some brandy or rum for that extra kick.

I hope I have inspired you to take a deep breath and have a relaxing no pressure Valentines. Remember, it’s not the fanciness that’s important, but genuine, heartfelt gestures.

For single gals, please get your girlfriends together and have a fun day.

Happy Valentines everyone.