Valentine’s Day is on a weekday, so here’s a super quick menu…

With this simple menu, you can prepare a delicious three-course meal with ease.

Make the Lemon Posset the night before and pop into the fridge.

Griddled Halloumi with Wild Rocket

Time 20 minutes
Per portion: 528 Kcal 45g fat (26g saturated)
Serves 2 as a starter
Suitable for vegetarians

Halloumi 125g (4½oz), drained
Olive oil 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp
Lime 1½, juice only
Garlic 1 clove, peeled and finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Wild rocket and salad leaves 25g (1oz), to serve

Cut the Halloumi into thick slices and place in a non-metallic dish.

Mix together the oil, lime juice and garlic, season with plenty of pepper and pour over the Halloumi. Turn the cheese so it is coated in the marinade. Cover and chill for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.

Oil, then heat a griddle pan over a medium heat. Remove the Halloumi from the marinade, reserving the garlic oil mix, and cook on the hot griddle until golden on both sides. The Halloumi will brown quickly and only needs 1–2 minutes on each side.

Arrange the wild rocket and salad leaves in two bowls and top with Halloumi, drizzle with the reserved garlic oil and serve.

Tip. There is no need to add salt to the dish as Halloumi is already quite salty.

Antipasti Pitta Pizzas

Serves 2
Time 15 minutes
Per portion: 484 Kcal
22g fat (8g saturated)

Pitta bread 2
Pesto sauce 2 tbsp
Grated Mozzarella cheese 110g (4oz)
Parma ham 2-4 slices
Chargrilled artichokes in olive oil 8 pieces
Cherry tomatoes 10-12, halved
Freshly ground black pepper
Basil leaves to garnish (optional)

Preheat the grill to hot with the rack about 10cm (4in) away from the heat. Put the pitta breads on a baking sheet and grill on one side, to warm through.

Turn them over and spread with the pesto and about two-thirds of the cheese. Tear the ham into a few strips straight over the top. Nestle in the artichoke pieces and tomato halves and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Drizzle a little oil from the jar of artichokes over the pizza.

Grill for about 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and browned.

Season with pepper and sprinkle with basil leaves, if using.

Lemon Posset

Serves 2
Time 15 minutes plus chilling
Per portion: 943 Kcal
81g fat (50g saturated)
Suitable for vegetarians

Double cream 300ml pot
Caster sugar 100g (3½oz)
Lemon 1 large, 2–3 tbsp juice
Fresh berries to serve (optional)

Pour the cream into a saucepan and bring gently to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.

Add the lemon juice and bring to the boil, tasting to check the sweetness – you may wish to add a little more lemon juice or sugar as necessary. Simmer for 2 minutes before removing from the heat.

Whisk well and then pour the posset into two heatproof glasses.

Leave to cool then chill in the fridge for about 3 hours until set before serving. Top with a few berries if you like.

#valentineRecipes