Sweet and Simple Valentine’s Recipe Ideas

Romantic Meal Ideas For Valentine's Day

Should you want to impress your special someone by showing off in the kitchen at home, here are two foolproof recipes you can make, courtesy of the kitchen team at one of the most romantic hotels Devon has to offer.

Classic steak and roasted potatoes

Steak is a simple and satisfying go-to when it comes to Valentine’s Day. To surprise the one you love with a juicy steak cooked to perfection, you will need:

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 large beef sirloin steaks, each about 2cm thick
• 1.5 tbsp groundnut oil
• 25g young spinach leaves
• Half tbsp finely chopped chives
• 100ml half-fat crème fraiche
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Half a tbsp ground black pepper
• Splash of lemon juice

Preheat the oven to Gas 5, 200°C, fan 180°C.

Cook the diced potato in a large saucepan of salted, boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and leave until cool.

Then place in a roasting tray with groundnut oil, season and roast for 20 minutes.

Put remaining groundnut oil into two frying pans (one for each steak!) and season the meat.

Keep on high heat and sear the steaks for a minute and a half before turning.

Cook for 2 minutes more – this will achieve medium/rare.

Rest the steaks for a few minutes once cooked.

With the remaining ingredients, you can make the sauce.

Add them all together in a small saucepan and simmer – add a splash of lemon juice and steak juices from the resting plate.

Use the spinach leaves to dress the plate and you’re done!

Chocolate fondant

This recipe serves four – because as any chocoholic knows, one just isn’t enough!

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without chocolate, so make your meal one to remember with our Chocolate Fondant recipe.

You will need:

• 20g butter, melted
• 100g dark chocolate, chopped
• 100g unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 medium eggs
• 2 medium egg yolks
• 100g plain flour
• Icing sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas 6.

Brush 4 x 200ml ovenproof ramekins with melted butter, chill for 15 mins then brush with another layer before dusting inside with cocoa powder. Chill while preparing the batter.

Melt together chocolate and cubed butter in a heatproof mixing bowl over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, remove from heat and allow to cool. Don’t rush!

Whisk together the eggs as well as the egg yolks in a separate mixing bowl until light and thick.

Sift in plain flour and whisk again until smooth.

Now, pour the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and flour mixture – but only do this in thirds, mixing well each time.

Divide the fondant batter in even portions between the chilled moulds and arrange on a baking sheet.

Bake these in the oven for 10-12 mins and allow to sit for 1 min before carefully running a knife around the edges to loosen. Arrange on serving plates and dust with icing sugar before serving – and there you have it!

Remember, if you don’t want to try your hand at making these for yourself, you’re always welcome to join us at Langstone Cliff – we’ll take care of everything, from your room to your meals and entertainment.

We’re one of the most romantic hotels in Devon, so, if you’re looking for romantic things to do in South Devon this Valentine’s day, then why not spend Valentine’s Day by the sea.