Classic Valentine's Day menu
Our romantic recipes, plus a prepare-ahead time plan - perfect for February 14.
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Pears with pecorino and pancetta
The prepare-ahead time plan
Do the cooking and assembly a little in advance. That way, when the meal is ready to serve, your romantic evening will see you sitting at the table rather than red-faced over the stove.
The day before
Cook the pear for the starter. Prepare pecorino and pancetta cubes. Marinate lamb.
On the day (to serve dinner at 7.30pm)
6.15pm Prepare and cook potatoes. Take lamb out of the fridge to allow to come up to room temperature
6.45pm Prepare chocolate pots and set aside
7.05pm Fry off the lamb, then put into oven
7.15pm Cook pecorino and pancetta cubes and assemble the starter
7.25-7.30pm Remove lamb and potatoes from oven. Set meat aside to rest; keep potatoes warm. Sit down and enjoy the starter with a glass of white wine or champagne
7.45pm There are just five minutes of activity here... Put the spinach on to wilt while you cut the lamb into cutlets, then put the finishing touches to the spinach and serve the main course, popping the chocolate pots into the oven just before you sit down to eat.
8.15pm Whip the chocolate pots out of the oven, dust with icing sugar, serve immediately.
By Emma Marsden
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