We'd bet there aren't many of us who would crown January our favourite month of the year – plenty of surveys, in fact, tell us the calendar's opening month is actually our most disliked. It's easy to see why; the weather isn't on our side, the days are short, the merriment of Christmas has passed and it's often a season of cutting back, whether we're saving money or ditching drink for Dry January. Produce wise, it's certainly a less fertile time – we might have blood oranges and beetroot to enjoy, but by the time February arrives, we're often ready for the warmer, brighter days ahead.

While Burns Night adds some pep to January, Valentine's Day is usually considered the first occasion of the year, with red and pink cards and heart-shaped chocolate boxes filling shops soon after the new year has been rung in. It might not be on everyone's calendar, but, whether it's celebrated with a partner, spouse, friends or solo, Valentine's Day is often the first chance of the year to whip up a feast. Around three quarters of us are said to mark it, and while some will be making reservations at romantic bistros, we know plenty of you will creating culinary magic at home.

We also know that many of you already have plenty going on, and that Valentine's Day is unlikely to top your list of priorities. So if you've just turned your mind to planning or made a last-minute decision to get into the romantic spirit, we hope these recipes will inspire your menu, whether you're looking for a quick dinner you can make after work, a sweet treat to enjoy on the sofa or relaxed brunch. Some only need a handful of ingredients, while others require a few more – but all take just thirty minutes or less to cook.

Chef Henry Harris' version of the French bistro favourite is guaranteed to impress, but can also be ready in thirty minutes. Henry, who was taught to cook it by Simon Hopkinson, says it is the combination of rich brandy and veal stock with meaty resting juices and caramelisation from the pan which makes this dish so special. Serve it with home-made chips if you have a little more time on your hands, or a crisp green salad, grilled vegetables or mashed potato to keep it within thirty minutes.

Pay a visit to your fishmonger to make Anna Hansen's fantastic cod with clams recipe, which is quick, simple and impressive. Butter, white wine and chorizo give this recipe a luxurious feel, and Anna proves that whipping up restaurant-quality food at home is achievable. She recommends serving it with wilted spinach and potatoes.

Are there many foods more synonymous with romance than pasta? We think not. This simple dish uses only a handful of ingredients, but is incredibly moreish and packed with flavour. If you can't get your hands on scamorza cheese, you can use smoked mozzarella as an alternative. Similarly, rigatoni can be swapped for paccheri pasta.

Okay, we admit this one needs a fondue dish – but if you have one tucked away in a cupboard, this rich fondue is perfect for sharing and the ideal Valentine's Day meal. Traditionally, it is only served with bread for dipping, but potatoes, steamed green vegetables and even pickles would be great additions. If you can't get your hands on Fontina, you could use other northern Italian cheeses, such as Taleggio or Toma, or an Alpine variety like Emmental.

The classic trio of Italian flavours – tomato, mozzarella and basil – is celebrated in this spicy chicken dish. It's a straightforward recipe, but the vibrant finished product would make a stunning Valentine's Day centrepiece. Serve it with bread, pasta or rice for a speedy meal which will be ready in half an hour.

If you'd prefer to whip up a Valentine's brunch, look no further than our savoury cheddar and chive waffles. Serve with lashings of butter and a fried egg or some ham to create a memorable start to the day. Those with more of a sweet tooth should check out our other waffle recipes here – including chocolate orange and Belgian varieties.

Ben Tish's vegan recipe sees cauliflower coated in a fragrant spice mix and adorned with a stunning pesto packed with herbs and pistachios, with juicy raisins and crunchy pine nuts to finish. It's full of big flavours, but simple to prepare after a busy day.  

It would have been remiss of us to not include a couple of sweet treats in this list. In Rukmini Iyer's grown-up take on a childhood classic, peanut chocolate biscuits provide an almost savoury contrast to the sweet and bitter coffee ice cream, with salted peanuts giving an added crunch. You can of course use whatever cutters you have to hand, but heart-shaped biscuits are the perfect fit for the occasion.

Nud Dudhia's churros recipe is served with a rich chocolate ganache sauce, cinnamon sugar and sprinkling of flaked almonds. As well as being suitably hearty for the season, churros are an ideal sharing dessert for a romantic dinner for two.