Tips

Valentines Day

Here is some ideas for Valentines Day

GINGERBREAD HEARTS

Makes at least 40

175g/6 oz soft brown sugar
4 tablespoons golden syrup
2 tablespoon black treacle
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
half teaspoon ground cardamom
2 pinches of nutmeg
1 orange, rind of
1 lime, rind of
200g/7 oz butter
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
450g/1lb plain flour
Heart shaped cookie cutters

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Place the first nine ingredients in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon of water and stir cover a low heat until just boiling.

2. Remove the above mixture from the heat and allow to cool slightly before whisking in the butter and bicarbonate of soda.

3. Fold in the flour and beat until smooth. Cover the surface of the dough with clingfilm and allow to rest for 30 minutes to firm up the dough.

4. Then roll out the dough to 1/6 inch/2.5mm and cut out using a heart shaped cookie cutter. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Transfer the gingerbread to a lightly greased baking sheet and cook in batches for 10-12 minutes depending on your oven or until firm.

6. Remove from the oven and leave the gingerbread on the baking tray for 5 minutes to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack for further cooling. As the gingerbread cools, it will become firm and more crisp.

7. Drizzle the hearts with Lemon Icing by using the back of a desertspoon and leave to set.

LEMON ICING

8 tablespoons sifted icing sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice.

1. Combine the icing with the lemon juice until smooth.

FRUIT AND NUT CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Makes 12

4 large dates, chopped
25g (1oz) sultanas, chopped
1 tablespoon dark rum
55g (2oz) walnuts, finely chopped
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
115g (4oz) plain, good quality cooking chocolate
15g (1/2 oz) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 medium free-range egg yolk
30ml (1fl oz) double cream
25g (1oz) dates, chopped

1. Place the dates and sultanas in a small bowl with the rum and set aside to soak for at least 2 hours. Place the walnuts in a heavy-based frying pan and lightly toast, tossing occasionally. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Once cool enough to handle toss in the cocoa powder and set aside.

2. Break the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Allow the chocolate to completely melt before stirring, then add the butter and continue to stir until the butter has melted. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly.

3. Beat the egg yolk and cream and add little by little to the chocolate mixture, fold in dates and sultanas, then beat with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes until well combined. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and chill for at least 2 hours to allow the mixture to firm up.

4. Using a melon baller, scoop out balls of the truffle mixture and roll in the toasted walnuts. Place the truffles in mini muffin cups. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and bring out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you want to eat them.