A perfect Valentines Day Meal

Note this is my entry for Superbreak's Valetines Break competition - you can read all about it here. Why don't you join in? You have until February 11th and could win a trip to Paris!

This year, Valentine's Day  falls on a Friday, making it a perfect opportunity to go away for a weekend break.  A romantic hideaway hotel, a luxury spa, a fine dining destination - there is so much to choose from. But what if you decide to stay at home? My idea of a perfect Valentine's Day meal is just that - dinner at home.

But not just any old dinner - I don't want to be slaving away in the kitchen, and getting hot and bothered for all the wrong reasons! I'm happy to spend the whole day cooking, if need be, just as long as there's not much to do at the last minute.

Champagne and oysters are a traditional romantic starter. But my husband is allergic to both champagne and oysters, while I think oysters taste like snot. So that's definitely a non-starter in our household. Instead, I'll opt for another traditional romantic starter, asparagus. But I'll make it extra special by serving it topped with daintily poached quails' eggs, scattering it with candied shreds of pink grapefruit peel and drizzling over a pink grapefruit reduction.

We'll not want a heavy main course, just something we can lazily graze at and maybe even feed to each other. So how about a selection of Mediterranean dishes - a Greek salad, tabbouleh, hummus ( I think I'll omit the raw garlic), fresh juicy melon with feta and some home made pita bread? Every bit can be prepared in advance - and can happily be kept waiting if the asparagus has already done its thing!!!

Now, dessert or cheese to finish? What a tough decision - but having BOTH would be far too heavy. Unless, of course, they are combined into a pear and blue cheese tart!

So what would it be for you? Romantic break, special meal out, or special dinner at home? And what would your menu be?