Plan a pyjama party! Just you or/ and your special someone with the comfiest blanket; get your favourite ice cream and switch on something fun, scary, romcom, sappy whatever is the mood and don’t forget to use the ice cream in more ways than one!
Have a pyjama party with ice cream and your favourite watch
Burger & Beer party! Get or make the perfect burgers and pour your ale! Watch something or play games (whichever kind you want). Messy, super fun, competitive (if you do get in games that is!) Let your hair down and have a chill day.
Can’t dedicate the entire day? Have school, college, work or just somewhere to be? Surprise your partner with a coffee date at their favourite place! Call in ahead and pre-order, you can also ask if they have special decor for the day and don’t forget to dress up making it all more fuzzy!
Cook a meal
Cook a meal, set up the table, pour your finest wine, put some music on and make your partner’s dream come true! Always remember that it’s the effort that truly counts. There are multiple Instagram accounts which have tons of recipes and we are sure you know their fave cuisine, right? Sip, sway and dance the night away.
Make a tub or chocolate sauce, whipped cream and strawberry
Nothing better than making a tub of chocolate sauce and keeping whipped cream in the fridge. You know what to do! P.S. It’s also strawberry season!
A coffee date could be a great idea if you are short of time
Out of ideas? Give The Daily cafe a try
The Daily winter menu
Become bartender for the day! Take a fun class together! Call up your best bar and ask them to hook you up and don’t forget to show off your skills.
Love all things healthy? Do a workout or flow class with your partner! Be it yoga or CrossFit, follow it up with a great matcha, salad and protein-packed brunch and a massage to relax those sore muscles — don’t forget to get competitive.
Or just come to The Daily cafe! Food is the love language everyone speaks. Love Bites is our delicious addition to make your Valentine’s more special. Let us play Cupid and knot you with love. Pour your heart and tie those mini love letters on our tree of love. Be it for your partner, friend, boo, bae, fur baby or even plant!
Valentine recipes
A HUG MUG:
Find us something sexier than chocolate, we’ll wait. The perfect dessert to share or not! Seductive, chocolatey, warm and all things fabulous! We are sure you will be making this more than once. (Preparation time: 5 minutes)
Ingredients
- Flour: ¼cup
- Salt: 1/8tsp
- Baking soda: 1/8tsp
- Chocolate chips/chunks: 1tbsp
- Cocoa powder: 2tbsp
- Milk: 3tbsp
- Oil: 2tbsp
- Water: 1tbsp
- Vanilla extract: ¼tsp
- Sugar: 2tbsp
Method
- Mix all ingredients in a mug.
- Microwave for 1 minute 45 seconds. Eat instantly!
- Change me up: Add coffee, berries, nuts, caramel or cinnamon.
- Serve me with: Chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream and a bubble bath!
- Stays: 3 seconds.
- Tip: Make 2! #toogoodtoshare
ELDERFLOWER FIZZ
The perfect drink to sip all day! Sexy, simple and so easy to make & drink! Serves two. (Preparation time: 5 minutes)
Ingredients
- Elderflower syrup: 40ml
- Gin/vodka: 120ml
- Cucumber: 3-4 strips
- Lime: 30ml
- Mint: A few sprigs
- Soda: To top
- Ice: As needed
Method
- Swirl the cucumber strips in a glass. Add alcohol, syrup, lime and gently mix
- Add ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with mint.
- Change me up: Use flavoured sodas/tonic waters. Add orange slices, pomegranate pearls and rosemary
- Serve me with: Cheers and allday drinking!
PANTRY PASTA
Forgot to plan a date? You are sure to find ingredients for this one in your kitchen! Easy breezy, delicious and can definitely make it special. The buttery, lemony, cheesy spaghetti is sure to awaken more than your taste buds. Makes two pasta plates. (Preparation time: 25 minutes)
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: 80g
- Olive oil: 1tbsp
- Butter: 1-1½tbsp
- Parmesan: 1/3 cup grated plus more for topping
- Garlic: 2tbsp sliced
- Chilli flakes: ½tsp
- Basil: ¼ cup torn
- Salt: To taste
- Pepper: To taste
- Lemon: ½, juice and zest
- Parsley: 1tbsp chopped
- Pasta water: As needed
- Leftover boneless or boned chicken: 200g, can be any shape, just cut up and toss with the pasta
Method
- Bring a pot of water to boil. Add salt and a little olive oil. Add the spaghetti. Boil till al dente.
- Drain and reserve a cup of the pasta water.
- In a pan add the oil and garlic. Cook till golden brown. Add chilli flakes. Saute.
- Add spaghetti, butter, Parmesan, pepper, basil, parsley and a little pasta water. Toss and let it thicken. Sauce should coat pasta. lTake off heat, add lemon zest and juice.
- Top with more Parmesan. Make it better, throw in some crispy breadcrumbs.
- Change me up: Throw in smashed olives/ leftover pesto/ crispy breadcrumbs/ cracked nuts for flavour! Add crispy mushrooms and a slice of garlic bread.
- Serve me with: A glass of red!
- Stays: Definitely tastes good next day too. Add some pasta water/milk to make it superior!
The writer is a chef and owner of The Daily in Calcutta and Cafe Duco in Mumbai