Valentine’s day is always special, A dedicated day to express your love to your loved one. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Where there is love there is life”. A time when streets are lit with heart-shaped lanterns, flowers suddenly get expensive and anxious hearts wait to express love. Every year hearts in love come up with unique ways to express their love to their loved ones. Flowers, chocolates, and gifts might be a little over-rated, have you tried food? More specifically cooking? 

It is said – cooking is a direct path to the heart! Cooking is a beautiful way of expressing your love and affection for your Valentine'. This Valentine’s ditch the chocolate and tantalize your taste buds with a homemade dessert. 

Here are a few recipes that will surely steal hearts!

 Red Velvet Cake

This might sound like a cliché thing to add to your Valentine’s day. I am sure you have shared a store-bought cake with your loved ones but have you ever tried baking it for them. As complicated as it may sound, it is easy to make. 

Here is an easy recipe to bake your own Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

Cocoa powder

Vinegar

Buttermilk

Vegetable oil and Butter

Red food coloring

Flour

Sugar 

Eggs

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. 
2. Grease and lightly flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. 
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Whisk gently to combine
4. In a separate large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. 
5. Beat in the oil, followed by the eggs, vanilla extract & red food coloring. 
6. Beat in the flour mixture into the butter mixture about ⅓ at a time, alternating with about ⅓ of the buttermilk. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vinegar. 
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

The recipe adapted from https://www.justsotasty.com/easy-red-velvet-cake/

You can always top it with frosting and some heart-shaped sugar candies to add to the mood. 

Chocolate Pudding

 There is a saying “All you need is a love or more chocolate”. And what if you can have both? Nothing can express your love better than a piece of chocolate. Chocolate pudding is easy and a heart-winning dish

Here is how can make it on your Valentine’s date night:

Ingredient 

Milk

Sugar

Cornstarch

Cocoa Powder

Chocolate shaving

Egg

Vanilla

Process

1. To start, place two egg yolks into a bowl. Whisk the egg yolks vigorously for about 60 seconds, until the yolks lighten in color and thicken to a frothy, foamy texture.

2. Add cornstarch and some milk to the egg yolks. Whisk until fully combined, then set aside.
3. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and milk. Heat this mixture to a scalding temperature, and then whisk it into the egg cornstarch mixture.
4. Pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over high heat until the pudding thickens into a luscious, silky consistency. Then remove the pudding from the heat and stir in chocolate or vanilla extract for extra flavor.
5. Pour the chocolate pudding into a big bowl to chill.

The recipe adapted from https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a85701/how-to-make-chocolate-pudding/

Spiced Apple Pancakes

An apple a day keeps the doctor away and your lover at your bay! Nothing is more comforting than a big bite of spiced apple pancakes. It is a breakfast favorite for sure.

Here is a quick time-efficient Pancake recipe:

Ingredients

Flour

Eggs

Cinnamon 

Apples

Brown Sugar

Vanilla extract

Process

1. Mix flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. In a large bowl, whisk to combine egg yolk, vanilla, milk, and melted butter. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined, then fold in 1½ cups of chopped apple.

2. In another medium bowl, using a hand mixer, beat egg white until stiff peaks form. Fold egg white into the batter gently with a rubber spatula until just combined.
3. Make apple topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add remaining apples, brown sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a 1/4 cup water. Cook, stirring occasionally until apples have softened and the mixture is jammy, 10 to 15 minutes.
4. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Pour about 1/4 cup pancake batter into the pan. When little bubbles appear, about 1 to 2 minutes, flip and continue cooking until both sides are lightly golden. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed. Serve pancakes topped with apple mixture.

The recipe adapted from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a28186318/apple-pancakes-recipe/

This Valentine's day, add this personal touch to make the day even more special. Falling love is an extraordinary feeling, do it with an extra helping of affection. Hope you have a love-filled Valentine’s day!