Did I get your attention? A number of years ago I read a relationship book with this title. It actually wasn’t so much about how food is the way to a man’s heart, it was about how all the little things we do to help each other (like cleaning up the kitchen!) can go a long way towards increasing our desire (specially us chicks who might need a little lead time ;-)!) for intimacy. Given this is a food blog though and not a marriage blog I’ll turn my attention to sharing a few recipes that you might like to consider for a romantic night in tomorrow night for Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is not a day on our marriage calendar that is given massive attention, however we do usually buy each other a card. I’d much rather a gift or flowers at a random time than on a ‘required’ day, but given this year the day falls on a Saturday, and we have no other social plans, we’re planning on cooking a nice dinner (probably a family dinner), putting the kids to bed, then having dessert and watching a movie together. Then it will be a date night at home and the boys will learn a little about the importance of Mum & Dad having time for our relationship without them.
I haven’t decided exactly what to cook, but here are a few ideas I’ve got that you might be inspired to try too.
If you’re after a 3 course meal, why not try this roasted field mushroom with rocket, persian feta (omit for paleo), sun-dried tomatoes and roasted beetroot chips for an entree? 
Here are a couple of main course suggestions, depending on what kind of protein your after. I really like this eye fillet with mushroom & crispy sweet potato.
If you’d rather some lamb (or are feeding the family), why not cook a butterflied leg of lamb. 
If fish is more your thing grill some fresh salmon and serve it with a fabulous salad, like this rainbow noodley one:
or this pretty peach & greens salad:
or even some good old brussel sprouts!
The pinnacle of any Valentine’s Day dinner is surely the dessert! Here are a few of my favourite desserts that I think qualify as ‘romantic’ and fit within the ‘paleo or paleo-ish treat’ category.
These lemon coconut tarts are even AIP friendly and if you have a heart shape mould are even more perfect!
Raw choc-nut raspberry tarts with banana ice cream:
Here is a super easy paleo-ish dessert. Chocolate coconut ganache with fresh strawberries. Bring 1 cup coconut cream to a simmer with 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste, turn off and after 5 mins stir in 100g dark choc till combined. Pour into little dishes (or tart shell) and refrigerate until set. Serve with fresh strawberries.
Or if paleo is not your thing and you want, what I think is the prettiest of desserts, have a go at this Pretty Persian Rose Ice Cream.
Well, hopefully that’s got the romance building in the air/kitchen! I’d love you to post/comment with your Valentine’s Day meal ideas or after the fact, let me know what you cooked. You can always tag your photos with #whatannabelcooks and I’ll see what you’ve made.
♥ Annabel x
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