7 edible Valentine’s Day gifts that aren’t corny

HOMEMADE CURRY PASTE

Use blanched and skinned almonds instead of pine nuts and try adding a few anchovies to your paste for extra umami flavour. Making your own paste is the perfect way to get your other half to try something new, especially if they have convinced themselves they aren’t fans of Asian flavours. Think of it like a brand-new food adventure; it’s a good excuse to get hot in the kitchen together!

View the recipe here

THE ULTIMATE SPICE RUB

Put a man next to a fire with a cold beer and some meat and he is happy. Make him his very own spice rub for that meat on the braai and he will be over the moon! This spice blend was dreamt up by two of the manliest of men especially for us, so you can’t go wrong!

View the recipe here

ANYTHING INFUSED

From vodka to olive oil, we’ve got you covered. Try one or try them all and get creative with your flavours.

Citrus-infused vodka

Basil-infused oil (along with a fab serving suggestion)

HOME-MADE FROZEN YOGHURT OR ICE CREAM

Here are my go-to ice-cream recipes, the frozen yoghurt is great if you don’t have a ice-cream machine and the burnt sugar and salt ice cream is a must try if you do! Best post-dinner gift ever!

View the recipe here

FROZEN YOGHURT

Purée 1 cup plain thick yoghurt and 6 frozen and peeled bananas until smooth, place in a bowl and then in the freezer to set. Purée 400 g frozen summer berries until smooth, the place in another bowl and freeze. After an hour, mix the two with 100 g chopped white or dark chocolate and freeze again in little
tubs.

BILTONG!!!!

[caption id="attachment_790" align="alignright" width="240"] Biltong with cognac & balsamic syrup[/caption]

Need I say more? I know the way to my man’s heart is through biltong. Even better, give him a kit to make his own (then you get to eat it, too!)

For your biltong kit you will need:

A biltong maker
2 kg good-quality beef or game with minimal fat such as sirloin
Brown malt vinegar
Woolworths’ biltong spice

Here are two recipes to make on Valentine’s Day using biltong

Biltong-and-Parmesan burgers

Biltong salsa verde salad

PLUS: try Hannah's ultimate dessert recipe for Valentine's Day.