FREE RECIPES

Love is in the air!

My man recently told me that “Cooking for others has to be one of the most generous activities you can do for someone.” Not platinum cufflinks, not an expensive tie, but just a simple home cooked meal would make him the happiest man in the world. I’m sure many men would concur – Do you really want to sit in a restaurant full of couples on this Valentine’s Day? I don’t. So why not pop on your cutest apron, strut into your gorgeous kitchen and whip up a meal your man will love.

I’m a strong believer in following what has been proven to work. We all know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but this Valentine’s Day we’ve selected the proven winning aphrodisiac foods to add to the mix. Dishes sure to create a stir on this fun night. All dishes are light and super easy – you want something decadent yet not too rich as you won't want to be ‘too’ full after eating!

GARLIC PRAWNS - yes its Garlic but it’s not too garlicky. Garlic is after all the mother of all aphrodisiacs. It increases blood flow – meaning it gets to the bits it needs to even quicker. Just have a few mints on hand after this dish or perhaps a nice fresh mint cocktail..

• 500g raw green prawns, part peeled and deveined (leave tails on)
• SAUCE:
• 2⁄3 cup thickened cream
• 3 cloves garlic,
• finely sliced 3 teaspoons chopped chives
• pinch chicken stock powder
• pinch white sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic olive oil
• 2 (extra) cloves garlic, finely sliced

Combine sauce ingredients, cover and refrigerate. Heat garlic oil in a non-stick fry pan over high heat. Cook the (extra two cloves) garlic lightly. Add prawns stirring for 2-3 minutes or until they just start to change colour. Add sauce, cook for a further 5 minutes. Decorate with cut lemon. Serve hot on their own or with fresh crusty bread.

FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS – apart from fish being good for you, fish are also known as having “libido-enhancing nutrients”.

• 2 pieces fresh fish (e.g perch or sole)
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 9 teaspoons butter
• ½ cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped

Coat fish in flour seasoned well with salt and pepper. Heat butter in a large non-stick fry pan over medium heat until bubbling. Add parsley, add fish and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until golden and well-cooked. Decorate with cut lemon and serve with Tartar sauce and a light salad like “Like Me More Salad” – Mix a lightly fried bunch of asparagus (quartered) with halved grape tomatoes, diced avocado, balsamic vinegar, feta and pine nuts (a true Aphrodisiac salad if ever there was one).

FIRST DINNER LEMON TART – This is such a simple dish and men all over the world have loved it. The recipe makes more than you probably need – simply cut all ingredients in half, or save leftovers for another occasion.

• Large Pre-made pastry shells
• 5 beaten eggs
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 3 lemons (zest of 1, juice of 2)
• 1/2 cup thickened cream (For decoration: Icing sugar)

Preheat oven to 180oC. Bake shells for 10 minutes. Remove and reduce heat to 120oC. Mix all ingredients and pour into shell. Bake for 40 minutes or until filling is set. Lightly dust top with icing sugar.

STRAWBERRY SURPRISE – Easy to make before hand and the ultimate love desert. Strawberries are usually portrayed as a symbol of sensuality and earthly desire whilst Chocolate and Nuts are known to increase the ‘falling in love’ emotion. We think they are the perfect combination for the end of the evening.

• 1 punnet fresh strawberries
• 1 small jar Nutella

Wash strawberries and discard leaves. Slice a thin layer off the top of each strawberry. Using a knife, cut out a hole in the centre of each. Fill with Nutella and replace the strawberry top. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve cold with ice cream or on their own. And don’t forget a nice bottle of wine and/or dessert wine to finish off.

Extra tips to woo and wow:

1. Alternative dishes: Oysters and Wrap Me Up Salmon (Wrap prosciutto around salmon steaks and lightly fry then place in a moderate oven for 10 minutes or until cooked).
2. Heavy Glasses – men love heavy solid glasses, not ones they think they might break.
3. Generous servings – his should be at least 50% bigger than yours.
4. Plan ahead – this means cut, dice and mix as many of the dishes components beforehand so the evening can go flawlessly.
5. Create the mood – set the dining table in advance with your nice cutlery and napkins.
6. Decorate with candles and flowers.
7. Smile. Put on your favourite music and turn off the phone.
8. Leftovers – since you are going to the trouble of cooking there is nothing better than having leftovers he can take to work the next day – and he’ll remember you and the evening all over again.

This Valentine’s Day it’s about being generous and showing someone you really care for them. And what man wouldn’t love that!

To buy your copy of Meals Men Love click here.

Enjoy! x Lana