Love Is In The Air!

Yes love is in the air for V-Day!

And whilst I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day with hiked price flowers, chocolates or other over-the-top fripperies I do tend to cook my other half a special meal to enjoy at home. I know of others who indulge with other special treats but they are often calorie-laden, wholly inappropriate for bariatrics and cost the earth. So what are my top few love to eat treats that you might consider?

Well how about some berries and yogurt for breakfast or toast with a heart-shaped jam topping? Simply pop berries on a plate in a heart-shape and add the yogurt pot just before serving. Or toast your favourite bread and then add a heart-shaped spoonful of your favourite low-sugar jam/jelly or preserve.

Or consider an egg breakfast or brunch by dry-frying eggs in heart-shaped cutters to bring an early morning smile?

Alternatively why not pack up a lunch-box or pretty up a salad with some hard-boiled/hard-cooked eggs moulded to look like hearts? They are so easy to do-it-yourself from the pictures below:

Or how about buying and serving a heart-shaped cheese? There are hard and soft varieties to choose from like Coeur de Neufchatel. Check out the cheese counter this week there are bound to be plenty to choose from.

Other ideas include cutting a tortilla into a heart shape and then topping with salsa, low-fat Mozzarella and your favourite toppings to make a Valentine’s Pizza – perfect for sharing. For some simple instructions see my bariatric friendly pizza recipe here.

For a main meal or lunch time dish that is great hot or cold with salad then look no further than my Three Cheese Bake recipe from Return 2 Slender … 2nd Helpings cookery book.