Here is an easy 3 course meal that allows for maximum interaction and loads of wows from your partner. To top it all off, it is easy and most things can be prepared in advance, so you get to spend more time gazing into your darling’s eyes…

Starter: Dukkah dippers

 Dukkah is an Egyptian spice blend of toasted nuts and seeds.  This warm, aromatic mixture can become quite addictive when served as a dip with fresh bread and olive oil. It is an interactive meal, so it allows for light small talk as you are passing and dipping over each other.

¾ cup/ 100 g Roasted nuts of your choice

100 ml/ 60 g Sesame seeds

100 ml/ 28 g Coriander seeds

50 ml/ 22 g Cumin seeds

1 tsp Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh ciabatta bread or other crusty bread

Raw vegetable sticks of choice (carrot and cucumber used for this recipe)

Method:

1. Toast all the seeds together in a dry pan. Roast the nuts separately if it isn’t already roasted.
2. Combine the nuts, seeds, salt and pepper in a food processor and pulse until it resemblance course breadcrumbs. Don’t blend the mixture to fine as it will become a paste.
3. Spoon the dukkah spice into a pretty bowl. In similar small bowls, pour some good olive oil and one with balsamic vinegar. Arrange all of this onto a platter with ciabatta bread slices and vegetable sticks.

To eat:

This dish is eaten by breaking the bread and dipping pieces into the olive oil and then into the dukkah spice. The same goes for the vegetables and the balsamic vinegar. Mix and match to tantalize your taste buds.

Tip:

• I prefer using local South African virgin olive oil to imported ones as the quality standard are quite high here and therefore you are assured of a great tasting product.

 




Main Course: Vegetable stir fry with peanuts

(Serves 2)

15 ml Sunflower oil

200 g red and or white Cabbage

½ medium Onion

2 Carrots, peeled

1 Celery stick

½ medium Green pepper

30 ml Soya sauce

50 ml Sweet chili sauce

40 ml Salted peanuts

1 handful of Coriander leafs

125 g Noodles

Method:

1. Cook noodles according to packet instructions and set aside.
2. Cut all the vegetables into similar size strips and mix together.
3. Place a wok or large pan on high heat. When hot add the sunflower oil, then add in the vegetables. Stir fry with a wooden spoon or spatula to ensure even cooking and prevent vegetables from burning.
4. When the vegetables are almost fully cooked but still crisp, add the soya- and sweet chili sauce and stir through to coat the vegetables for about another minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Toss in the peanuts and coriander leafs.
5. Serve the vegetable stir fry over the cooked noodles.

To eat:

Stir fry is best eaten with chopsticks. This will give the meal an authentic Asian feel and will help keep the conversation and laughs going especially if your partner’s chopstick skills is not so honed. It will be so much fun learning how to master it together. Check out my ‘how to’ video below or view it on Youtube here.

Tips:

• Serve this vegetable stir fry with fresh chili and shaved coconut on the side to make the meal more interesting.
• Vegetables can be cut in advance and just stir fried before serving. Noodles can also be cooked in advance and just heated up before serving.

Dessert: Sweet Love Platter

150g Milk or dark chocolate slab

75ml Cream/ Full cream milk

Pinch of Cinnamon

Marshmallows

Strawberries

Grapes (optional)

Bamboo skewers

Method:

1.     For the chocolate sauce: In a microwave safe bowl, break the chocolate into blocks, add the cream or milk and microwave for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and whisk with a fork until smooth. Microwave for an extra few seconds only if necessary. The chocolate sauce should be smooth and completely melted.

2.     Wash the strawberries and grapes and allow to dry. Cut the stems off.

3.     String the fruit and marshmallows onto skewers and place onto a platter. Pour the chocolate sauce into a pretty bowl and arrange onto the platter with the skewers.

To eat:

Dip the fruit and marshmallow skewers into the creamy chocolate sauce and be sure to feed each other;)

Tips:

• Chocolate sauce can be made beforehand provided that it is kept at room temperature, otherwise it will become hard again.
• The strawberries can also be washed and trimmed in advance and just skewered upon serving.
• Serve with bubbly or fresh coffee.

What is your ideal romantic meal? Would love to hear your ideas.

The post Romantic 3 Course Meal appeared first on Loving Veggie.