Valentines Day, and I’m at home with the kids for half term so I’ve spent the day preparing a fab three course Valentines meal. As always I’ve dug around Pinterest to find my recipes.

I love cooking at home and I think a home cooked meal is so much more special than a ready meal. Valentines day is all about showing how much you care. Cooking your partner a beautiful meal from scratch is a lovely way to do that. However I have made many meals in the past that were so complicated that by the time we sit down to eat I am exhausted and the kitchen looks like a bomb site. Getting up from a romantic meal to a huge pile of washing-up isn’t my idea of a good time. I like to have cleaned up as much as possible before I eat so I can relax afterwards. 

When I planned this meal I was looking for three courses that were easy to make and could be prepared in advance. 

The Starter

For a starter I made these goats cheese puff pastry tarts. Ready rolled pastry made them so easy. Just a couple of minutes to put together then put them in the oven for about 20 mins. They can come out 5-10 mins before you serve.

The main

For the main course I went for a beef stifado. I  have always loved Greek food. Although I based mine on this recipe, I cooked mine in the slow cooker for 4 hours so I could get it started early and have no last minute prep. I served it with Orzo, which just takes 10mins to cook.

The dessert

And to finish – a fab Eton-mess style desert, I made all the bits up in the morning then just layered it together while I waited for the starter to cook.

All great recipes and not much stress in the making. Time for chocolates and prosecco….