While I do think that Valentines day is very commercialised, I also think it is a good excuse to really make time for each other and do something a bit special.  It's expensive to go out for a meal (even more so on Valentines!) and everywhere is packed. I'm going to show you how to have a romantic 3 course meal, candles, flowers, cocktails and even chocolate dipped strawberries for under £50.  Not only that, but the meal is also Slimming World friendly and is under 15 syns with both your healthy extras. Am I good to you or what?  So read this blog post and tell your loved one you are putting in the special effort this year!

Firstly let me explain the £50.  An advert came up on my time feed for a local restaurant for a special Valentines meal that was "only £45 per person". £90 for a meal? For me there's something extra special about someone making the effort to prepare something just for you, especially if you don't normally do the cooking! The meal is nice and simple to prepare, no matter how good or bad your kitchen skills are!

£50 is what it costs for EVERYTHING on my shopping list.  Hopefully there are some things that you already have in your cupboard, such as herbs, spices etc, so you may even end up spending even less.  I shopped at Tescos and based prices on theirs, and all prices correct at time of posting!


Here is your menu for the evening:-

BLOOM Gin is a floral London Dry Gin, inspired by Master Distiller Joanne Moore’s English country garden. She chose chamomile and honeysuckle and added the citrus fruit pomelo to make up the three key botanicals for  BLOOM – each one contributing to the delicate gin drinking experience.

It is a light, delicate and floral gin with a totally unique slightly sweet taste created by a bespoke blend of 3 botanicals: honeysuckle, chamomile and pomelo.  They have sent me the perfect Valentines Day cocktail recipe.

I created this recipe about 4 years ago, and was very proud of it.  It consists of a crispy bread cup filled with bacon, an egg and then topped with a creamy cheese sauce.

One day though, I was watching Saturday Kitchen, and they showed a clip of Rachel Khoo creating her version of a "Croque Madame Muffin" which was basically the same as what I'd created from scratch!  My recipe is slightly different and a little less French but too similar for me not to give Rachel's a mention!

They make a perfect breakfast in bed, or lazy weekend brunch!