Whether you want to prepare a beautiful meal to surprise your partner or you want to have fun cooking in the kitchen together, making a delicious, healthy meal at home means no queuing or rushing or set dinners out on Valentine’s Day. Here, we have a tasty, healthy starter, main and dessert that will tantalise your taste buds while helping you stick to your healthy-eating goals.
Starter: Tuna Tartare
What You Need
400g boneless, skinless tuna (you can also other fish such as trout, salmon or yellowtail)
¼ small red onion, sliced into super-thin rings
2 spring onions, finely sliced
1 tbsp finely chopped chives
2 limes + 1 extra for wedges, if needed.
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra
Pinch chilli flakes
Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnishing (you can also use coriander)
Salt and freshly
ground black pepper
Method
1/ Slice the fish into one-centimetre pieces.
2/ Place the red onion slices, spring onions and chives in a glass bowl. Add the zest from one lime and one tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, as well as the sesame oil, one tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of chilli flakes. Whisk to combine, then add the fish, tossing to combine. Taste to check the flavour and add more lime juice, if needed.
3/ Divide the tartare between six small plates or bowls and garnish each with a few parsley leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and a thin lime wedge.
4/ Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Main: Thai-style mussels
What You Need:
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
4 spring onions, sliced
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1 lemongrass stalk, smashed and sliced
Juice and zest of 1 lime
1 x 400g tin coconut milk
½ cup fresh coriander, chopped
1kg mussels (500g mussels each)
Method:
1/ Heat the sesame oil in a large pot (with lid) over medium heat.
2/ Add the garlic, spring onions, chilli and lemongrass and cook gently until softened.
3/ Add half the lime juice and all the zest, the coconut milk and coriander (reserving some pretty leaves for garnishing) and stir to combine. Add the mussels.
4/ Steam for five minutes. Discard any mussels that have not opened after seven minutes. Serve immediately with some bread of your choice to mop up that yummy sauce.
Dessert: Meringue Berry Mess
What You Need:
2 large Meringues (store-bought is fine)
2 tablespoons of thick cream or coconut cream
4 large strawberries, quartered
8 raspberries, halved
2 sprigs of mint
Method:
1/ This dessert is super-easy to make and is really just about plating. Start by placing each large meringue on its own plate or bowl.
2/ Place one tablespoon of cream or coconut cream on each meringue. (you could replace the cream with berry sorbet or vanilla ice cream)
3/ Divide the strawberries and raspberries equally and add to each dish.
4/ Garnish each dish with a sprig (or a couple leaves) of fresh mint.
Want to check out some more meal ideas? We have another great three-course meal right here.