Romantic Recipes for Two
Cooking dinner for your special someone this Valentine's Day? Don't worry, because we've got a selection of savory starters, elegant entrees and delectable desserts to help make your sweetheart fall in love with you all over again. Reduce the recipes to serve two, or keep the extra food for leftovers!
Originally published February, 2010
Starters
Crab Tamale in Grape Leaves
In this Mexican-inspired dish, the edible grape-leaf wrap replaces the traditional corn husk. Serve with a green salad and salsa.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup flour
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 jar roasted red pepper, drained and puréed (300 mL)
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 can crab meat, drained (120 g)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
- ½ cup frozen corn, thawed
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp finely chopped canned chipotle
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 12 grape leaves (from jar)
Directions
- In a food processor, combine first six ingredients and process until smooth, firm dough forms.
- Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Lay out 12 grape leaves. Use 1 tablespoon of dough to form a log. Flatten and place in the middle of the widest part of the leaf. Place in the bottom one-third, so that you have lots of leaf space to roll up. Top with a spoonful of crab salad. Fold in the leaf’s sides and roll up. Secure with a toothpick or string.
- Steam for 20 minutes and serve.
Time: Prep: 25 minutes
On the table: 20 minutes
Recipe by Leeanne Wright
Photo by James Tse
