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Cheesy family Valentine’s menu

Nothing says love like lots of cheese, and these heart-shaped pizzettes deliver just that. They’re totally customisable, so each family member can have whatever toppings they fancy – we recommend chorizo and tomato.

  1. Main: Mixed heart pizzettes

    Mixed heart pizzettes recipe

    Serves 4

    2 x 280g ready-rolled round pizza dough bases
    140g pack mixed olives with garlic and chilli, to serve
    200g pack mozzarella balls and slow-roasted tomatoes, to serve
    1 tsp olive oil
    1 garlic clove, crushed
    100g sliced greens
    nutmeg, grated
    2 tsp ricotta
    1 tsp Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese, grated

    1. Heat the oven to gas 7, 220°C, fan 200°C. Unroll the pizza dough and cut each circle into quarters. Transfer the slices to 2 oiled baking sheets. Mould the top of each into a heart shape.

    2. Make the garlicky greens by heating the oil in a nonstick frying pan with the crushed garlic, stirring for 1 min. Add the sliced greens and a splash of water and cook, stirring, until wilted and the moisture has evaporated. Add a small grating of nutmeg and season. Spread the heart bases with the ricotta, top with the greens and the grated cheese.

    3. Bake in the oven for 10-12 mins, or until the pizzas are golden and crispy. Put on a board or platter and serve with the mixed olives and the mozzarella and slow-roasted tomatoes.

    Tasty twist: For a spicy sausage and tomato topping, skin 50g Spanish cooking chorizo sausages and cut into small chunks. Heat in a nonstick frying pan on a low heat and dry-fry until crisp. Drain any excess fat and add ½ x 340g jar tomato and chilli pasta sauce; simmer for 5 mins. Spread the mix onto the pizza bases and top with 50g sliced half-fat mozzarella. Scatter over chopped flat-leaf parsley to serve.

  2. Side: Avocado and pea salad

    Avocado and pea salad recipe

    Serves 6

    400g frozen peas
    1 large avocado, thinly sliced
    2 x 85g bags watercress
    1 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted

    For the dressing
    1 tsp ground cumin
    3 tbsp olive oil
    ½ tsp red wine vinegar
    1 tsp runny honey
    1 lemon, zested and 1 tbsp juice reserved

    1. To make the dressing, heat the cumin in a dry frying pan for 30 secs, then stir in the olive oil, vinegar, honey, lemon zest and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Whisk together well and season to taste.

    2. Blanch the peas in a small pan of boiling water for 2-3 mins. Refresh under cold running water; drain well. Arrange the avocado, peas and watercress on a platter and drizzle over the warm dressing. Toss gently, then scatter over the pumpkin seeds. Serve immediately.

  3. Dessert: Valentine's rocky road

    Valentine's rocky road recipe

    Serves 24

    450g white chocolate, broken into chunks
    80g butter
    50g sweet and salty popcorn
    150g custard creams, broken into small chunks
    100g dried cranberries
    50g glacé cherries, halved
    50g mini marshmallows
    2 x 39g tubes giant love hearts
    3 tbsp freeze-dried strawberries
    2 tbsp gold sprinkles

    1. Line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.

    2. Melt the chocolate and butter in a large, heatproof bowl over a pan of gently boiling water. Remove from the heat and mix in the popcorn, custard creams, dried fruit, marshmallows and ¾ of the love hearts until well combined.

    3. Pour into the prepared tin, smooth into the corners and press down with the back of a spoon until compact. Scatter over the freeze-dried strawberries and gold sprinkles and press in the remaining love hearts.

    4. Put in the fridge and chill for at least 2 hrs or overnight. Once firm, cut into 24 squares. The rocky road will keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

  4. Drink: Strawberry cooler

    Strawberry cooler recipe

    400g Tesco Finest strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered
    125g caster sugar
    15g fresh thyme
    2 lemons, pared and juiced
    a few handfuls of ice
    750ml sparkling water

    1. Put 300g strawberries in a pan with the sugar, half the thyme, the pared lemon and 150ml water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins, stirring, until the liquid is red and the strawberries look pale and mushy.

    2. Strain into a jug and leave to drain for a few mins. You'll have about 250ml. Discard the berries, cool, then cover and chill for at least 1 hr.

    3. Put the ice in a pitcher. Add the remaining strawberries and thyme, the lemon juice and cooled syrup. Mix, then top up with sparkling water to serve.

    Tip: Halve this recipe to serve 4 people!