Wooden board, blue wooden box and white cake stand from Trees Furniture. Photo / Babiche Martens.
The idea of a large bunch of roses dropped anonymously on the doorstep sounds most romantic. Maybe even a card signed by your admirer. But, if that is unlikely, perhaps you had better be the instigator to ensure Valentine's is celebrated in style.
Traditionally, loved ones give flowers, chocolates, lingerie,
or go out for a meal at a special restaurant. If that doesn't appeal, and you're after something a little less commercial and more personal, how about breakfast in bed? Be organised and begin preparation the day before.
Something delicious and a real treat is home-made brioche. My favourite part of making this is the feel of squishing the butter between my fingers and kneading it into the dough, then watching it rise and cook into a rich, buttery bread.
Complex as the ingredients are, it's worth the effort. The eggs help the bread to rise while the butter adds richness and stops it from drying out.
If you are adding fruit, do this in the last stage. The dough can be baked as one loaf, in traditional fluted moulds with a crown placed on the top, or simply rolled and baked as sticky buns. However you use your dough, there'll never be leftovers.
