Oysters, chocolate, wine – the world of food and drink has been entwined with the world of romance since the beginning of time. But grunting and handing over a hunk of raw meat in a cave with hopes for a steamy night in just doesn’t cut it anymore. The majority of us are a tad more refined these days, with mood lighting, bouquets of flowers, compliments and a proper slap-up meal all playing a part in the ritual of courtship. While restaurants are usually fully booked with special menus designed to put you in the mood around Valentine’s Day, there’s nothing more impressive than cooking a gorgeous meal for your significant other at home.
Of course, you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew and choose a recipe so ambitious you’ll be left with shattered nerves and something inedible at the end of it. At the same time, you want to push the boat out a bit so you can show off your culinary prowess. That’s why we’ve collected some truly stunning dishes from the minds of the UK’s Michelin-starred chefs that don’t require specialist kitchen kit or years of professional training. These ten recipes will make you look like a culinary master and, while we can’t guarantee they’ll lead to a night of passion, they’re bound to please anyone with a love of good food.