When you think of Valentine’s Day food, most people probably think of chocolates, and of course they definitely have their place, but I have some great ideas to help make it a little healthier and fun for the whole family!
Here we have some fab recipes (some by my foodie friend @laura_matthews_nutrition) and some super simple, fun ideas to make everyday foods a little different, and you can use these simple recipes as a way to get your children involved in the kitchen too, with little jobs like washing fruit for the kebabs or decorating pizzas with different toppings.
Make the most of your children being little and dazzle them with these Valentine’s Day specials – it won’t be long until they’re rolling their eyes at you for making such things!
Have fun and enjoy!
5 Ways to make everyday foods special for Valentine’s day
1.) Why not start the day with some eggs using a heart shaping tool? Or give my Pink Porridge recipe below a go!
2.) If these don’t tickle your fancy, you can never go wrong with pancakes – check out my easy baby pancake recipes (with a vegan alternatives too!) which are great for the whole family – and you can make these heart shaped, of course!
3.) For some simple savoury ideas, you could skewer some tomatoes and different cheeses in heart shapes onto kebabs, or cut heart shapes in your sandwiches! *Just remember to quarter cherry tomatoes before your little one eats them…
4.) And if you’re short on time, there’s always the classic chocolate fondue – simply dip your favourite fruits into melted chocolate and sprinkles!
5.) You can go a long way with decorating foods with milled seeds, grated/drizzled chocolate, and some delicious red berries!
And if those aren’t quite different enough for you and you’ve got a little more time, try out some of mine and Laura Matthew’s FAVOURITE kid friendly recipes!
Pink Porridge
Ingredients
- 30g porridge oats
- 150ml milk (of your choice)
- Half a small raw beetroot, peeled and grated
- A grated apple (optional)
To Serve
- Plain yoghurt (of your choice)
- Fresh chopped strawberries
- Crushed freeze-dried strawberries (optional)
Method
- Add the porridge oats, milk & the raw grated beetroot to a saucepan.
- Cook for 10 minutes over a low heat or until thick (add more milk if it gets too thick).
- Add the grated apple to sweeten, if you wish.
- Serve with plain yoghurt & fresh chopped strawberries (I also used crushed freeze-dried strawberries here for extra pinkness but this is optional!)
You melt my (cheesy) heart…
Great for lunch time, dinner or cooled and sliced as a snack on the go, these pitta pizzas are delicious!
Heart shaped pitta pizzas
Makes 4 pizzas
Ingredients
- 4 wholemeal pitta breads
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 3 tbsp of water
- 20g Cheddar cheese, grated
- Toppings of your choice e.g. tinned tuna, cooked salmon, shredded cooked chicken, mushrooms, sweetcorn, basil, etc.
Method
- Preheat your grill to high.
- Trim and cut your wholemeal pitta bread into heart shapes with a knife (save any leftover trimmings to make breadcrumbs for fish cakes or fish fingers!).
- Dilute the tomato puree with the water and stir well.
- Spread the tomato puree sauce over the pitta breads.
- Add toppings of your choice, e.g. tinned tuna, cooked salmon, shredded cooked chicken, mushrooms, sweetcorn, basil, etc.
- Grate a little Cheddar cheese over the top of each pitta.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown!
Cupid’s Arrow Pancake & Fruit Kebabs
Ingredients
- Homemade plain pancakes or plain pre-made supermarket Scotch pancakes
- Tinned mandarin or peach (in juice)
- Fresh raspberries
- Fresh blueberries
Method
- Cut out heart shapes of pancake with a small biscuit cutter or use a knife (job for the adults dependent on the age of children!).
- Thread a slice of tinned mandarin or peach onto a wooden skewer followed by raspberries, blueberries & your pancake.
You could also use whatever fruit you have available, the idea is a novelty for young children! Chop any larger pieces of fruit for younger children before serving & watch out for the sharp skewer!
Yoghurt Love Bar
Ingredients
- 200g thick plain yoghurt
- 1 tsp nut butter
- Chopped blueberries & strawberries
- Freeze dried strawberries
- Dusting of cocoa (optional)
Method
- Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper approximately 20cm x 30cm.
- Spread 200g thick plain yoghurt all over the baking paper.
- Swirl in a teaspoon of nut butter & top with chopped blueberries, strawberries, freeze dried strawberries & a dusting of cocoa (if using).
- Freeze overnight & cut into shards. Makes a super snack!
If you’ve enjoyed making any of these recipes of VDay food inspo, tag me in your posts on social, or if you have any of your own ideas and recipes you’d like to share, show us on Facebook or Instagram!