Valentine's Day Special

A very popular occasion all over the world is still not welcomed and accepted by a few conservative sections in many parts of the world. In many places talking openly about love is still a taboo.

But Valentine's Day is not only about expressing your love to your girlfriend/ boyfriend or to your life partners or spouses. We all have to understand that it is about expressing your love to anyone important in your life. It may be your mother, father, pet, teacher, siblings, peers, friends or even your plants.

Let us celebrate this V-Day with all of whom we love by cooking for them some healthy, innovative but easy to make recipes.

Definitely we would not like to spend the whole day cooking when there is love and romance in the air. Let me share with you some of the quick-to-make recipes. Even I have these recipes in my mind for that special day.

# Love Shake

# Peach Melba

# Chocolate Fantasy

# Blueberry Cheese Cake

Love Shake

Preparation Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 1

Ingredients :

• Oranges - 2, peeled and deseeded

• Strawberries - 3, pitted

• Green Grapes - 15

• Raw Mango - 20 gms

• Vanilla Ice-Cream - 1 scoop

• Crushed Ice - as desired

• Powdered Sugar - 3 tsp or as desired
   

• For Garnishing

• Orange Slice - 1

• Strawberry - 1

Method :

• Add all the ingredients and blend it in a juicer.

• Strain and pour in a mocktail glass.

• Garnish and serve.

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Peach Melba

Preparation Time :  10 minutes
Serves : 1

Ingredients :

• Canned Peach - 8 slices

• Vanilla Ice-Cream - 2 scoops

• To Garnish :-

• Strawberries

• Mint Springs - a few

Method :

• In a non-stick pan, put some sugar syrup from the can. Place the peach in it.

• Cook for a minute or two.

• Now take a glass and arrange the peach halves upside down.

• Put the ice cream scoop over it.

• Garnish it with berries and mint springs

• Serve immediately.

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Chocolate Fantasy

Preparation Time :  15 minutes
Serves : 1

Ingredients :

• For Pancake

• Refined Flour - 1 cup

• Sugar - 1 tsp

• Cinnamon - 2 tsp

• baking Powder - 2 tsp

• Whole Milk - 1 1/2 cup

• Oil - 1 tbsp

• Water - 3 tbsp

• Vanilla Essence - 2 tsp

• Butter, melted, 2 tbsp

• Cocoa Powder 1/4 cup

• For Filling and Garnishing

• Chocolate Sauce - As desired

• Strawberry Sauce - As desired

• Vanilla ice-cream - 1 scoop per pancake

• Choco-chips - a handful, optional

Method :

• Mix all the ingredients, except oil, for the pancake.

• Stir until well mixed. Adjust the fluids until you get a thin flowing consistency. Let it stand for few minutes.

• Heat a non-stick pan. Heat a little oil. Pour a tbsp of the butter and swirl around to form a thin pancake.

• Cook on low flame for a minute or until the pancake can leave the pan. Flip the side and cook for another few seconds.

• Make the other pancakes and keep it aside.

• When serving, warm the pancakes a little. Put a scoop of the ice-cream over the pancake, fold the flaps and turn the folded side on the bottom.

• Drizzle both the sauces with a spoon. Sprinkle some choco chips and serve immediately.

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Blueberry Cheese Cake

Preparation Time :  15 minutes
Serves : 1

Ingredients :

• Curd Cheese - 1 1/2 cup

• Cream - 400 ml

• Sugar - 1/2 cup

• Gelatin - 1 1/2 tbsp

• Blueberry Sauce - For the top layer

• Milk - 1/3 cup

• For Biscuit Crust :

• Arrowroot Biscuit - 200 gms

• Melted Butter - 75 gms

Method :

• Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold milk & leave over a bowl of warm water till clear & melted.

• Whisk the curd cheese & sugar in the processor till smooth. Add the gelatin mixture and blend again. Adjust the sweetness, if required.

• Add the blueberry sauce and mix it lightly.

• Pour this mixture in the 7" baking tin (preferably heart shaped). Let it set.

• Set in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Check to see that top is slightly firm.

• Then mix the melted butter and crumbs and spread gently, spoon by spoon, but quickly over the top to form an uniform crust.

• You need to do this a little quick as the butter will begin to set in container with the chilled cheese cake.

• Allow to set for another 4 hours.

• Invert into a dessert plate.

• Garnish with a generous amount of the sauce and serve.

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