Prawn and strawberry salad with poppyseeds + a 'good things' Valentine's Day Recipe Roundup9/2/2014
'From the obligatory [special] dinner to the unexpected glass of fresh-squeezed juice, the act of preparing food for another (or with another) speaks louder and clearer than most words. It says, with no exceptions, I love you. I want you. I care for you. You are worth the effort.' Food and the language of love. Makes sense, doesn't it?! Strawberries, asparagus, oysters and chocolate are among the foods listed as aphrodisiacs in the chapter titled Seducing through the Seasons (pp 8-127) in InterCourses — a quirky and interesting cookbook that I reviewed in 1997 when it was first released. Each of the chapters delves into the history of said aphrodisiacs and 'helps the love-hungry' to integrate these sensual foods into their lives. With Valentine's Day falling on 14 February next week, I thought it only appropriate that I share my take on a favourite recipe that I have adopted (read that, adopted) from the book. There are strawberries in the salad?! That's what my daughter (who was around 11 years old then) exclaimed the first time I served this little number to the family. Suffice to say, she loved it as soon as she tasted it. Yes, there are indeed strawberries in this divine salad and the flavour combination may also pleasantly surprise you and your beloved. PRAWN AND STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH POPPYSEEDS 10 large cooked prawns 225g mesclun or mixed greens 200g strawberries Dressing: 50ml extra virgin olive oil* 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon lemon pepper 1 teaspoon raw sugar 1-2 teaspoons poppy seeds Peel and devein the prawns, then set them aside in the refrigerator to chill. Rinse the mesclun and drain well. Wash the strawberries and pat dry with paper towelling. Slice the strawberries in half, or quarters if they are particularly large. To make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients in a screw top jar and shake till thoroughly mixed. Arrange the mesclun or salad greens on a serving platter, topped with the prawns and the strawberries. Top with the dressing and serve immediately. Serves 2. *If you have citrus infused olive oil, use that. Recipe adapted (and adopted) from InterCourses by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge, Hamlyn. A whimsical (and rather naughty) caramel fondue... This caramel fondue has been hugely popular with my loved ones and all those who have tried it for the last 30 years or so. I hope you'll enjoy it too. Oh, just one word of advice, do try not to eat it all at once! WHIMSICAL CARAMEL FONDUE 350g Jersey Caramels+ 1/3 cup milk 1/3 cup pouring cream To serve: pineapple chunks banana slices strawberries apple slices lemon juice Combine the caramels, milk and cream in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the caramels have melted. Whisk until smooth. Set aside and keep the mixture warm. Meanwhile, cut your fruit into chunks or slices and sprinkle with a little lemon juice to stop the fruit from turning brown. To serve, transfer the warm caramel mixture into a fondue pot and serve with a platter of fruit. Serves 6-8 and will keep well in the refrigerator. + Store bought or make your own. My 'good things' Valentine's Day recipe roundup... I've asked a few of my fellow cooks and food enthusiast friends from around the globe to share their favourite Valentine's Day dishes, and here they are. Enjoy. ♥ Sensually savoury... Sophia from An Ode To... shares her secret for how to keep your loved one close to your heart, and presents her special Valentine's Day Mediterranean-style eggs. Rachel from The Food Sage says, 'Oysters. What's not to love? Especially when they can be eaten natural and fuss free. Here's a simple recipe for a retro way to serve them for your loved one this Valentine's Day.' Eva from Kitchen Inspirations presents French Onion Soup Pillows. Imagine a tender pasta dumpling filled with braised beef broth and caramelised onion with brûléed gruyère exploding in your mouth as the broth is released immediately reminding you of French Onion Soup. Ooh la la! Krista from Rambling Tart says 'I like to add something beautiful yet nourishing to my Valentine's Dinner, like these gorgeous roasted radishes. The roasting caramelises the radish itself, while turning the leaves into crispy, salty goodness.' Maureen from Orgasmic Chef loves baking this soft and creamy Asparagus, Potato and Cheese Tart in a light phyllo pastry shell, and says it's perfect for lunch or a small-sized dinner on Valentine's Day. Manuela from Manu's Menu offers this superb-looking dish of Purple Gnocchi on a Parmigiano Reggiano Fondue, topped with toasted Hazelnuts and crunchy Italian Speck. Buon appetito! Sweet bites... Jamie at Life's a Feast shares her musings on love, romance and chocolate, as well as this sublime French Pudding au Chocolat. Oh my! Viviane of Chocolate Chilli Mango suggests that we select the most perfect sweet and fragrant raspberries for her exquisite Raspberry Lemon Thyme Tarts. The lemon thyme pastry crème is not overly sweet and has a fresh tang. Barbara from Creative Culinary knows that brownies are the way to a loved one's heart and says her Bourbon Chocolate Brownies with Bourbon Buttercream Sauce are definitely for adults only, and yet are not overly boozy. Marian at Apricot Tart will be making heart-shaped meringues topped with seasonal berries and watermelon bites. She says these sweet mouthfuls of loveliness complete an intimate Valentine's dinner. Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake says this Chocolate Mousse Torte is rich and decadent. Perfect for your Valentine. Just top with whipped cream and berries for an elegant dessert. Shulie from Food Wanderings says, 'My idea of Valentine’s Day is not chocolates, though I do love chocolate, but these delicate French sable cookies with a twist. I have it with a cup of Earl Grey and I am happy. That’s my idea of a romantic moment.' I think we agree! Azita from Fig and Quince is offering this Persian mulberry-shaped marzipan concoction made with sugar, rosewater, ground almonds, cardamom with slivers of pistachio. A dainty and pretty pop of sweetness for you and your sweetheart to nibble on as you whisper sweet nothings to each other on Valentine's Day. Janie from The Hedge Combers suggests these no-bake Individual Summer Puddings, sweet and very pretty little morsels of deliciousness for your Valentine. And a romantic little libation, with a cherry on top... John at Kitchen Riffs suggests a Pink Lady cocktail that's retro, romantic and just a little silly; and has a pleasantly tart elixir. Chin-chin! Tell me dear readers, do you agree that the act of preparing food for (or with) another says 'I love you'? Which foods speak L-O-V-E to you?
6/2/2014 08:01:23 pm
So much deliciousness!! :-) Thanks so much for including my recipe alongside such marvelous and inspiring recipes. :-)
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:47:32 am
Krista, thank you kindly for contributing xo
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:48:03 am
Jamie, aren't they just! Thank you kindly for contributing xo 6/2/2014 08:14:21 pm
A lovely round-up, Liz. Those raspberry lemon and thyme tarts have my name written all over them, but my partner would be all over the chocolate mousse torte. Would it be naughty to make both??
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:49:03 am
Thank you, Rachel, thank you for contributing… in answer to your question, my theory is that life is short, go for both! 6/2/2014 08:47:54 pm
Lizzy, this is the best company of ladies I've been!!!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:49:41 am
Dear Sophia, thank you for your very kind words… and thank you too for contributing. <3 6/2/2014 09:02:27 pm
What amazing food is being planned for intimate Valentines Day dining! So many tempting choices! Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate, Liz!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:50:08 am
Marian, thank you so much for contributing : )
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:51:33 am
Janie, thank you so much for taking part xo
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:52:12 am
Thank you Azita, happy Valentine's Day to you also xo Thanks for contributing. 11/2/2014 06:08:24 pm
The salad looks so delicious, summery and mouth-watering! Thanks for the roundup!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:53:04 am
Kiran, thank you for your very kind words!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:52:39 am
Maureen, you are hilarious! Thank you for contributing xo 6/2/2014 11:34:38 pm
I have to get purple potatoes to try Manu's gnocchi :)
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:53:35 am
It's outstanding, isn't it, Tandy! : ) 6/2/2014 11:42:49 pm
What a gorgeous round up, thank you so very much for including me!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:54:06 am
Eva, that is so very kind… thank you so much for contributing. 7/2/2014 02:57:27 am
I love that shrimp and strawberry salad! I'll be making that -- probably with roasted strawberries. Great roundup -- and thanks for including me!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:54:48 am
John, roasted strawberries sound divine! I love how you always find a way to add a delicious twist to a recipe! 7/2/2014 05:06:53 am
A truly original salad and lovely fondue. I'm slightly behind for valentines day, I really need to step it up. Thanks for the round up. Love the look of the spiced marzipan and pistachio balls. GG
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:55:20 am
GG, thank you so much! They do look more-ish, don't they! 7/2/2014 09:33:28 am
I'm so sorry I didn't get around to participating. I've had such a full-on week there are so many emails I haven't responded to. I seem to have been at the dentist's every second day and I have another session next week. What a beautiful round-up! So much inspiration. I'd like to start the day with the breakfast eggs and work my way up to John's cocktail and your melted jersey caramels xx
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:56:06 am
Dear Charlie, may the tooth fairy come visit you, in a good way, and make the dental trips go away! Thank you for your kind words on the round up xo 7/2/2014 01:34:02 pm
I like it Lizzy! Such a fun post. I love your salad and the other food looks delicious too, I particularly like Sophia's hearty meal. That cocktail is a piece of retro gold!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:56:55 am
Dear Jane, so delighted that you like this post, sorry you couldn't participate. Happy Valentine's Day to you and may the day be cooler for you xo 7/2/2014 04:46:20 pm
Oh mine! Quite a round up there. I might just get in the mood for love...:) ela. Your little prawn salad up on top looks freshly delicious, Liz :) ela
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:57:35 am
Ela, thank you kindly… imagine feeding the prawns and strawberries to your beloved xo 7/2/2014 08:30:35 pm
What a lovely round up Lizzy, so many fantastic ideas for valentines day... and I love the recipes you have shared. I'm a huge fan of strawberries in salads!!! And with those lovely poppy seeds - just divine!!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:58:22 am
Mrs M, how lovely to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words. The strawberries and poppy seeds go surprisingly well together! 8/2/2014 06:52:21 am
It seems that we are traveling most years during Valentine's but all the beautiful suggestions are certainly special enough for any occasion when you want something memorable. What a terrific roundup…thank you, Lizzy. What a great post.
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:59:01 am
Hi Karen, where are your adventures taking you to this year? Thank you for your very kind words xo
Lizzy
12/2/2014 06:59:44 am
Hi love, thank you kindly… do you know what… we don't actually celebrate Valentine's Day either… every day is romantic and fun for us xo
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:00:26 am
Manu, thank you for contributing such an outstanding recipe xo 9/2/2014 02:56:00 am
What a fabulous round up of enticing recipes for Valentine's Day! I don't know where to start! But your prawn and strawberry salad is just beautiful and light. And I'm dying to try it! : )
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:00:56 am
Dear Anne, thank you so very much! : ) 9/2/2014 06:04:44 am
What a fantastic Valentine's Day roundup, Liz. Thank you so much for including my cookies. Waving hello all the way from America. Your friend, Shulie
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:01:39 am
Dearest Shulie, thank you so very much for contributing your beautiful recipe xo
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:02:30 am
Hi David, trust me, it is good… perhaps you might try John from Kitchen Riffs suggestion of roasting the strawberries? : )
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:03:06 am
Laura, I love prawns too and this is such a fresh and simple recipe xo Oh, my are these some magnificent holiday recipes!!! Thanks so much for including one of mine. And I felt the same way when my mom put cooked green beans into one of our salads...but now I love all kinds of fruits and veggies included with my greens. Your salad looks amazing!!! xo
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:03:55 am
Liz, thank you so much for contributing to my round up. Funny how our tastes change. Thank you for your kind words xo
Kiran @ Kiran Tarun
12/2/2014 06:50:57 am
The salad looks so delicious, summery and mouth-watering! Thanks for the roundup!
Lizzy
12/2/2014 07:04:22 am
Kiran, thank you very much. 13/2/2014 03:33:59 am
An absolutely STUNNING selection of recipes/images for valentines day Lizzy, and such a GREAT idea of yours too! I am so sorry I did not get to send anything over, I was travelling in the UK and living out of a suitcase! Karen
Lizzy
17/2/2014 03:54:24 pm
Oh Karen, thank you so much for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed this round up, there are some really lovely recipes here! Enjoy your trip.
Lizzy
17/2/2014 03:54:43 pm
Adri, thanks so much! Much appreciated.
Lizzy
17/2/2014 03:54:54 pm
Jess, thank you kindly!
Andrea
14/2/2018 03:54:24 am
Absolutely loved this post! Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Looked so yummy! 😘 Comments are closed.
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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