Valentines Recipes

Here is a delicious two course Slimming world recipe idea perfect for treating your loved one on Valentine’s Day.

Steak Au Poivre with Sauteed Potatoes & Mushrooms

A French classic, Steak Au Poivre (or pepper steak) is the perfect main course for a special Valentine’s meal.

What you need:

400g potatoes (peeled & chopped into 1cm pieces), low calorie cooking spray, a handful of fresh rosemary leaves (finely chopped – plus some to garnish the potatoes), salt & freshly ground black pepper, 4 x thick beef fillet steaks (all visible fat removed), 1 garlic clove (crushed), 1 small onion (cut into small cubes), 400g button or chestnut mushrooms (roughly sliced), 100ml beef stock, 1 tbsp pink & green peppercorns in brine (drained), 200g broccoli florets (to serve), 4 tbsp fat-free natural fromage frais, 25g quark & a handful of fresh parsley (chopped).

How you do it:

1. 01. Boil the potatoes for 10–12 minutes, then drain.
2. 02. Heat a large frying pan sprayed with low calorie cooking spray & stir-fry the potatoes over a high heat for 4–5 minutes, adding the rosemary for the last 30 seconds. Remove from the pan, cover & keep warm.
3. 03. Season the steaks, add to the pan in a single layer & cook over a high heat for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until done to your liking. Place on a warmed plate, cover & keep warm.
4. 04. Wipe the pan with kitchen paper & spray it with low calorie cooking spray. Stir-fry the garlic, onion & mushrooms over a high heat for 4–5 minutes, then add the stock & peppercorns. Season & cook for a further 4–5 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender. Meanwhile, steam the broccoli.
5. 05. Remove the mushrooms from the heat & stir in the fromage frais, soft cheese & parsley. Serve the steaks with the sauce, potatoes (garnished with some chopped rosemary) & broccoli.

Tip: If you’re not keen on mushrooms, spinach makes a brilliant alternative. Just add the same weight of spinach & treat in the same way.

Cointreau, Chocolate & Orange Pots

Luscious layered desserts, with a dash of tangy orange liqueur.

What you need:

3 oranges (peeled, pith removed & separated into segments), 50g dark chocolate (broken into small pieces), 2 medium eggs* (separated), 1 tbsp sweetener, zest of 1½ orange (finely grated), 1 tbsp Cointreau, 4 tbsp fat-free natural fromage frais, 1 level tbsp milk or dark chocolate curls (or grated chocolate) & 1 level tsp cocoa powder (to decorate).

How you do it:

1. 01. Divide the orange segments between 4 dessert glasses.
2. 02. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl & melt over a pan of gently simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water (or in the microwave on a low heat for 30 seconds). Stir until smooth & leave to cool slightly.
3. 03. Put the egg whites in a large, clean glass bowl. Beat with an electric hand whisk on a medium speed until they form stiff peaks.
4. 04. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sweetener, orange zest & Cointreau. Stir in the melted chocolate.
5. 05. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until well combined. Spoon the mixture over the oranges and chill for 3–4 hours, or until set.
6. 06. To serve, top each chocolate pot with a tablespoon of fromage frais. Decorate with the chocolate curls & cocoa powder.

* Pregnant women, the elderly & babies are advised not to eat raw or partially cooked eggs.