Last Minute Valentine’s Day Menu

Don’t get kicked into the dogbox this year. This easy to prepare, last-minute menu will save you.

Starters

Spicy Prawn Salad
Prawns are super easy to prepare and take just a few minutes to cook. Make sure to de-shell and de-vein them before cooking - having to clean prawns is not exactly romantic dinner activity.

Ingredients
10 large prawns
2 tsp paprika
1 garlic clove chopped up finely
1 small red chili chopped up finely (remove the seeds if you don’t like it too hot)
Butter for frying
2 tbsp whiskey (optional)
Salad greens such as rocket, baby spinach leaves or Coss lettuce for the salad

Method
Cover the prawns with the paprika, add the garlic, red chili, and whiskey and allow it to marinade for a few minutes. You can leave the whiskey out if you’d prefer not to use it and replace it with wine, or lemon juice.
Heat up the butter in a pan and once it’s hot and sizzling, add your prawns. Fry the prawns for about 3 minutes, or until they’ve changed colour and become pink. Any longer and you’ll have tough, chewy prawns. When done arrange the prawns on top of the salad greens and drizzle with some balsamic vinegar. And that’s it, you’re ready to serve.

Main

Steak, potatoes and veg
Nothing is as delicious, and as simple as preparing a steak. Just ensure that your steaks are room temperature before you cook them.
Ingredients
2 steaks – whichever cut you prefer
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
300g Baby potatoes
300g Green beans
1 onion

Method
First, get your steak ready by rubbing olive oil into them, and seasoning with salt and pepper. Leave them aside.
Chop the onion finely and slice the ends off your green beans. Wash the baby potatoes and place them in a microwavable dish with a lid. Add a few small knobs of butter, some salt and pepper and set aside.
Now timing is everything. For a rare steak, you should do 3 minutes a side, a medium rare steak needs 4 minutes a side, medium needs 5 minutes a side, while well done can take 6 to 7 minutes a side.
First up are the baby potatoes. Place them in the microwave and cook on high for 9 to 11 minutes.
Heat up your pan for your steak, do not add any more oil to the pan. Get your pan ready for the sautéed green beans by adding some olive oil. When your steak pan is smoking hot (literally smoking), drop your steak. Don’t move the steak, allow it to brown and cook for the time frame you’ve chosen.
Add the onions to the hot green bean pan and allow it to brown. You’re going to have to juggle a bit here, but it’s not impossible. Once the onion has browned add your green beans and sautee them for about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Don’t overcook them, you don’t want limp, tasteless green beans. They should be a vibrant green with a bit of a crunch.
Don’t forget to turn your steak over while cooking the green beans as well. If you like, if there’s some fat on your steak, take another minute to sear and cook the fat side only after cooking to the rest of the steak.
All your cooking should be done at roughly the same time now. Remove the steak from the heat when done and allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes. You can rest the meat on a plate, in the pan away from the heat or on a board. Just make sure your steak isn’t still cooking in the pan.
Use these 5 minutes to get your plates ready. Plate up your potatoes and green beans and add the steak when you’re ready to serve.

Dessert
The best part of any meal is dessert. Unless you’re a star baker, our advice is to play it safe. Pick up a delectable chocolate creation from your local grocery store and enjoy the rest of the evening with your love. If you really want to do something, melt some good quality chocolate, and serve it with fresh strawberries, marshmallows or bananas. Simple and a very romantic way to end off your evening.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Also read: Don't spend your life savings this Valentine's Day