All posts tagged valentines

Practise The Art Of Chocolate Calligraphy This Valentine’s Day

by Andrew on February 11, 2010 in In Search Of..., Online Retailers, Specialist Shops with No comments

They say that chocolate is an aphrodisiac and this sensual gift set is definitely one to be shared a deux. Based on the ink sticks and stones used in traditional Japanese calligraphy Kaori contains chocolate sticks with exciting flavours such as stimulating Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar, spicy Saffron and intense Ginger. Dip the sticks into pots containing exotic flavours such as aromatic Matcha Green Tea and Poppy Seeds, and fruity Kalamansi and spend a seductive evening with your Valentine finding the forty-eight flavour combinations.

Kaori is a Japanese word meaning perfume, scent and fragrance. Jean Galler has developed a series of chocolates, based on traditional ink sticks and ink stones, which were used in traditional Japanese calligraphy.There are 6 different chocolate sticks with flavours including Saffron, Vanilla and Coconut, Ginger… To create your very own combination, simply dip them into the exciting varieties of Orange and Cocoa Nibs, Matcha Green Tea and Poppy Seeds, and Kalamansi. With these elements you can create forty-eight different flavour combinations. Each stick is a brush, each inkpot is an aromatic flavour, and the palate is a blank canvas.

Kaori Gift Box (6 different chocolate sticks, 3 enticing inkpots, forty-eight flavour combinations) is available for £13.99.

To order award winning Galler chocolate online visit www.gallerchocolates.co.uk, alternatively call 0207 351 1668 to order over the phone or visit the Galler retail outlet at Harrods, Harvey Nichols (London) and John Lewis Food Halls (Oxford Street and Bluewater branches).

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Spice Up Valentine’s Day With Wagamama

by Andrew on February 9, 2010 in Eating Out with No comments

Pan-Asian restaurant chain Wagamama is spicing up Valentine’s Day in 2010, with a range of dishes designed to ensure romance is top of Britain’s menu on February 14th.

Ginger is known to stimulate the senses and wagamama’s ginger chicken udon – teppan-fried noodles with chicken, egg and beansprouts garnished with picked ginger and coriander makes for a perfect passion to indulge in with your loved one on the big day.

Wagamama’s beef chilli ramen will also titillate the tastebuds of food lovers. Comprised of noodles in a spicy chicken and pork soup topped with beef sirloin, and lovingly garnished with a fiery mix of spring onions, chilli, coriander and lime. With chilli being recognised for its aphrodisiac qualities, this dish is a tasty way to stoke the flames of passion on the 14th!

For an indulgent end to your meal, wagamama’s wasabi chocolate fudge cake is packed full of chocolate’s celebrated natural endorphins. With its provocative wasabi kick, this delectable dessert is sure to get you in the mood for whatever activities the evening brings your way….

Steve mangleshot, wagamama executive chef said: ‘Our menu is ideal for couples looking to break the mould this february – why not ditch the usual candle-lit meal in favour of a passionate explosion of Wagamama flavours to provide a Valentine’s Day to remember?’

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Aphrodisiac Ice Cream

by Andrew on February 8, 2010 in In The Basket, Online Retailers, Specialist Shops with 1 Comment

Yummy Yorkshire, the award-winning ice cream producer based in Denby Dale is celebrating the season of love with the creation of a special Valentine’s Day flavour and the launch of a new wedding service.

As a nod to the Saint of love, Yummy Yorkshire has created a heavenly blend of fresh strawberry ice cream with dark chocolate chips; aptly named ‘Strawberry Love’.

The flavour combines two well known aphrodisiacs; dark chocolate, which contains natural stimulants and mood lifting substances, and strawberries, the symbol of Venus the goddess of love, due to their heart shape and luscious red colour.

Louise Holmes of Yummy Yorkshire who is responsible for ice cream production says: “We believe that Valentine’s Day is perfect for bringing people together to share intimate moments and what better way to do so than with some decadent ice cream. We’re sure our ‘Strawberry Love’ flavour will appeal to ice cream aficionados and lovers everywhere this Valentine’s Day.”

The ice cream is available to buy from the Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream Parlour on the cone and also in 500ml pots priced at £3.25 for a limited time only.

Yummy Yorkshire is also taking advantage of Valentine’s Day to launch a bespoke ice cream flavour service for couples who want to serve a unique dessert at their wedding reception. To date, one-off flavours that have been created for special occasions include ‘Elderflower & Blackberry’ and ‘Lavender & Honey’.

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Betty Blythe “I’D Love You For Breakfast” Hampers

by Andrew on February 3, 2010 in In Search Of..., Specialist Shops with 1 Comment

Betty Blythe, a beautifully designed and resplendently stocked fine food pantry and tea shop in Brook Green, is delighted to offer its “I’d Love You For Breakfast” Hampers for Valentine’s Day. The ultimate treat, these hampers are delivered right to the door and contain everything needed to have a scrumptious Breakfast in Bed whether going continental or having a hearty Full English!

Betty Blythe’s Valentine’s Day Hampers are the perfect surprise for a loved one first thing in the morning, when the last thing you want is to go out into the cold to get breakfast. Bursting with delicious treats from the Betty Blythe Fine Food Pantry, from freshly squeezed orange juice to the finest smoked salmon, the “I’d love you for breakfast” hamper lets Betty Blythe take the hassle out of your romantic morning. The “I’d love you for breakfast” hamper will be hand delivered with a smile, in a delightfully traditional hamper. The smell of freshly baked croissants and bread wafting from the basket
and the hamper will be made even more tempting with the freshly squeezed orange juice, tea and coffee & preserves for the full continental experience. Also the hampers can offer all the right ingredients for a cooked breakfast such as free range eggs, bacon and smoked salmon.

The girls at Betty Blythe, sticklers for luxury and glamour, are so determined in ensuring that their customers do not have to leave their houses in the morning that they also provide the little things that tend to be forgotten, such as the butter, milk and the newspaper! “I’d love you for breakfast” Hampers are priced at £45 each +delivery.

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Two Valentine’s Day Recipes

by Andrew on February 2, 2010 in food with No comments

Valentine’s Day gives us the perfect opportunity to treat that special someone to a romantic dinner at home. And this year, impressing the other half will be a doddle thanks to two of the UK’s finest chefs – Ainsley Harriott and Simon Rimmer.

The chefs have teamed up with Tabasco to develop some fantastic recipes demonstrating the versatility of the famous pepper sauce, and it just so happens that the following recipes have the perfect ingredients for ensuring a little romance.

With the renowned aphrodisiac qualities of shellfish, chocolate and, of course, chilli these delicious recipes will certainly turn up the heat!

AINSLEY HARRIOTT’S BAKED MUSSELS ON CHERRY TOMATO AND TABASCO RISOTTO

350g cherry tomatoes
1 red onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
300g risotto rice such as Arborio or Carnaroli
150ml white wine
750ml hot vegetable stock
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon Tabasco + extra to serve
1kg live mussels, cleaned
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pre-heat the oven 200c/400f gas mark 6. Place the cherry tomatoes in a large roasting tin and scatter over the onions. Drizzle with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper and roast in the oven for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and stir in the risotto rice, wine, stock, rosemary, teaspoon of Tabasco then return to the oven for 20 minutes until the rice is almost tender and the liquid has almost all been absorbed. Scatter the mussels over the top of the rice, cover tightly with foil and put back in the oven for a further 15 minutes. Take out of the oven, lift the foil and check the mussels, discarding any that have not opened. Scatter over the chopped parsley. Serve at the table immediately with a bottle of Tabasco for those who like an extra kick.

SIMON RIMMER’S TABASCO CHOCOLATE FUDGE PUDDING

450g/1lb dark chocolate, minimum 70 per cent cocoa solids
200g/7oz unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
10 free-range eggs
3 tbsp soured cream
300g/10½oz caster sugar
1 vanilla pod, split, seeds scraped out
200g/7oz plain flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking powder
10ml of Tabasco Pepper Sauce

For the sauce
250ml/9fl oz whipping cream
60g/2oz unsalted butter
100g/3½oz cocoa powder
100g/3½oz caster sugar
100g/3½oz soft dark brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
100g Strawberries and whipped cream to serve
Method
Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water. Whisk the eggs, sugar, soured cream and vanilla over simmering water for 5 minutes until fluffy and voluminous. Stir in the chocolate mixture. Sift the dry ingredients together, fold into the chocolate, together with the Tabasco. Spoon mixture into a lined ovenproof dish and bake at 160c/g3 for about 1 hour. Sauce – put it all in a pan and stir for 4-5 minutes until gooey and yummy. Serve a piece of pudding covered in sauce and a few delicious strawberries and cream.

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