Valentine's Day Breakfast

by Katie Forster

Boys, this one is mainly aimed at you as I doubt there is a woman in the city that isn't already aware that we are less than one week away from Valentine's Day. This means that if you haven't planned something special, you are only days away from being hit in the head with a plate/hair dryer/Wii control (the latter would be my choice as the first two play rather an important role in my life). In all seriousness chaps, she might say she doesn't believe in celebrating V-day, but when her pals start plastering photos of the gargantuan bunches of flowers they have received (at their desk.. in front of all their colleagues… obviously) on Facebook, your missus will find a way to make your life hell for not surprising her with a similarly vulgar display of adoration.

However, if you truly want to avoid your loved one getting caught up in the 'my bunch is bigger than your bunch' bitchiness, yet want to express your romantic side, I suggest a simple yet unique breakfast in bed.

You will need the following:

1 loaf of brown bread
1 punnett of strawberries, rinsed
1 tub quality mascarpone cheese
Honey to taste

Now I've been rather vague with the 'brown bread' instruction but hope that you will use your noggin and be a little more imaginative than a bag of ready sliced, sugar loaded cr@p from Wellcome. For me, fresh baked is the only way to go and the more grains the better. Give it a squeeze to test for a truly crisp crust. Slice the bread relatively thinly to create perfect toasting portions. Let the knife do the work here... sawing away will squash the bread and squashed bread does not a pretty breakfast make.

Remove the green stems and slice your strawberries thinly and vertically so that they, quite sweetly, resemble little hearts. Toast your bread to perfection and smear with mascarpone. Lay the strawberry slices NEATLY on top of the mascarpone (a slap-dash job will not do) and add a drizzle of honey if you find that your fruit is not quite sweet enough. Served alongside a tall glass of fresh orange juice or an aromatic cup of Earl Gray this brekkie will bring a smile to the grumpiest Beloved's face.

This dish is super easy to prepare so you won't need to set your alarm much earlier than usual, but I promise you that the effort will be hugely appreciated. Possibly even rewarded. Good luck lovers!
 

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