valentine’s day – Food and Tools

This time it was a losing battle and with no other sweet dessert, cake or biscuit to barter with… my plan on taking photographs the next day of the whole chocolate torte started disappearing, slice by slice. However, I managed to salvage a slice and set it aside with a little note saying… “this slice is for my food photography”! Each year I look forward to the annual BBC Good Food recipe calendar which comes with an issue of their monthly Good Food magazine and last year was really disappointed when I found there was no 2013 calendar. Really happy the Good Food team have decided to print a 2014 recipe calendar, I know I am not alone in voicing this. 🙂 This very delicious Squidgy Chocolate Torte is from this year’s recipe calendar and as February is the month for celebrating Valentine’s Day, this makes a perfect dessert for all chocolate lovers. Continue reading “Squidgy Chocolate Torte with Fresh Strawberries” →

Flowers, chocolates ( yes please ) and dining are always high on the menu for Valentine’s Day and many people love to mark the occasion. But then, there are some who would rather stay at home and not get caught up in the hype. If flowers and chocolates are not for you and you find the whole romance thing a bit much, you could always garnish your food with a subtle touch of romance. Remember when Richard Gere in the movie “Shall We Dance” came up the escalators with a single red rose… well you can place your single edible rose on what ever your ~~heart~~ or stomach desires.

Cherry Tomato Rose

Ingredients:

firm cherry tomatoes (or you can use bigger tomatoes)
chives or parsley stalks
mint leaves or parsley leaves

How to make: Using a sharp paring knife cut thinly into the top of the tomato creating a base for the rose, which should still be attached to the tomato. Continue cutting a thin spiral strip around the tomato just under the skin.