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Casual vegan Valentine’s menu

Show them you care with this romantic, vegan dinner for two. Kicking off with a vibrant tomato tart and mustard-spiced potatoes, then moving on to raspberry mousse pots and pretty pink rose gin cocktails, you’ll be sure to earn extra brownie points.

drinkware RFO

  1. Main: Tomato tarts with mustard potatoes

    Tomato tarts with mustard potatoes recipe

    Serves 4

    375g sheet ready-rolled light puff pastry
    4 tsp sundried tomato paste
    400g salad tomatoes, sliced
    1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing
    1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    1 tsp caster sugar
    2 tbsp capers
    250g broccoli, broken into florets

    For the mustard potatoes
    500g new potatoes, halved
    2 tbsp olive oil
    1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
    ½ lemon, juiced

    1. Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Unroll the pastry sheet and cut it into 4 equal rectangles. Score a 1cm border around each rectangle, then transfer to a large, lightly oiled baking sheet.

    2. Spread 1 tsp sundried tomato paste over each tart, staying within the border, then arrange the tomato slices on top. Drizzle over the olive oil and vinegar, then scatter over the sugar and capers. Bake for 20-25 mins until risen and golden.

    3. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling water for 10-12 mins until tender, adding the broccoli for the last 4 mins. Drain well. Whisk together the oil, mustard and lemon juice; season and toss with the potatoes. Serve with the tarts and broccoli.

    Tip: To make this recipe serve 2, simply halve the ingredients.

  2. Dessert: Vegan raspberry mousse with coconut hearts

    Vegan raspberry mousse with coconut hearts recipe

    Serves 2

    2 x 400g tins coconut milk, chilled overnight
    50g icing sugar
    100g frozen raspberries

    1. Make the coconut hearts: carefully open 1 tin of coconut milk without shaking it and spoon the solid coconut cream from the top into a bowl. Save the coconut water for mixing into juices or smoothies.

    2. Whisk the cream for about 30 secs until it starts to thicken. Add 15g of the icing sugar and whisk again for 1-2 mins until thick and fluffy.

    3. Line a small baking tray with nonstick baking paper and spread the cream in a 1cm thick even layer. Freeze for 2-3 hrs until set, or until ready to serve.

    4. Meanwhile, put the frozen raspberries and another 15g icing sugar in a small pan over a medium heat. Cook for 8-10 mins until the berries are broken down into a syrupy liquid. Remove from the heat and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. For a completely smooth coulis, push through a fine sieve to remove the seeds. Set aside to cool, then store in the fridge until needed.

    5. Open the second tin of coconut milk and spoon the solid coconut cream into a bowl. Whisk briefly until starting to thicken, then add the final 20g icing sugar and 2 tbsp of the cooled raspberry coulis. Whisk again for a few mins until thick, fluffy and an even pink colour.

    6. Divide the mousse between 2 serving glasses, cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hrs before serving.

    7. Just before serving, remove the tray of coconut cream from the freezer. Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to stamp out heart shapes, then return to the freezer for 5 mins to firm up. You will only need 2 for this dessert, but the remaining hearts can be layered between pieces of nonstick baking paper in a small freezer-proof container and kept in the freezer for up to 3 days.

    8. To serve, spoon the remaining raspberry coulis over the top of the mousses and top with a coconut cream heart.

    Tip: Make sure that both tins of coconut milk have been chilled for at least 8 hrs or overnight to allow the thick cream and watery liquid to separate.

    Make ahead: All elements of this easy pud can be made ahead, making it easy to serve on the day. Freeze the stamped out coconut cream hearts for up to 3 days. The raspberry coulis will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and the whipped mousse in glasses will keep for 2 days, both covered with clingfilm.

  3. Drink: Rose gin cocktails

    Rose gin cocktails recipe

    Serves 6

    250ml gin
    250ml elderflower and rose cordial (or pomegranate and elderflower)
    250ml fresh pink grapefruit juice
    ½ pink grapefruit, sliced to garnish

    1. Put the ice in a large jug.

    2. Add the gin, cordial and grapefruit juice; mix until cold.

    3. Strain into 6 glasses. Garnish with a grapefruit slice to serve.

    Tip: To make this recipe serve 2, simply divide the ingredient quantities by 3.