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Classic vegan Valentine’s menu

Show your partner the love with an elegant and romantic three-course vegan meal. With super-fresh tomato and basil bruschetta, vegan oyster mushroom ‘steaks’ (and plenty of peppercorn sauce), and a coconut and raspberry mousse, this meal is sure to impress.

drinkware RFO

  1. Starter: Tomato and basil bruschetta

    Tomato and basil bruschetta recipe

    Serves 4

    Tesco Finest Olive Ciabatta 270g
    2 tbsp Tesco Finest Tuscan extra virgin olive oil
    250g Tesco Finest sweet mixed baby tomatoes
    1 garlic clove, halved
    1 tsp red wine vinegar
    10g fresh basil, roughly chopped

    1. Preheat the grill to high. Halve a Tesco Finest olive ciabatta lengthways, then cut each half into 4 pieces. Place on a baking tray and drizzle with 1 tbsp Tesco Finest Tuscan extra virgin olive oil. Grill for 2-3 mins until browned, then flip and repeat until lightly browned and crisp (making sure they don’t catch). Rub all over with a large halved garlic clove and set aside.

    2. Meanwhile, wash and quarter a 250g pack Tesco Finest Sweet Mixed Baby Tomatoes. Put in a large mixing bowl; season with salt. Stir in olive oil, red wine vinegar and 10g roughly chopped fresh basil. Divide the mixture between the toasts, spooning over any juices, then season with black pepper and scatter with extra basil leaves to serve.

    Tip: To make this recipe serve 2, simply halve the ingredients.

  2. Main: Vegan 'steak' and chips with peppercorn sauce

    Vegan 'steak' and chips with peppercorn sauce recipe

    Serves 2

    2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus 1 tsp
    250g new potatoes, quartered lengthways
    ½ onion, thinly sliced
    2 x 150g packs oyster mushroom cluster
    1 tsp Wicked Kitchen Lemon, Garlic & Herb Seasoning
    150g Tenderstem broccoli
    1 tbsp dairy-free spread
    1 garlic clove, crushed
    1 tsp black peppercorns, coarsely ground
    1 tbsp plain flour
    350ml oat milk-alternative

    1. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C and put a large baking tray inside to heat up. Once hot, toss the potatoes in a bowl with 1 tbsp oil and arrange on the tray in a single layer. Pour over any excess oil and place on the lowest shelf. After 5 mins, add the onions to a corner of the tray, stir the potatoes and roast for a further 10-15 mins until the onions and potatoes are golden.

    2. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C and put a large baking tray inside to heat up. Once hot, toss the potatoes in a bowl with 1 tbsp oil and arrange on the tray in a single layer. Pour over any excess oil and place on the lowest shelf. After 5 mins, add the onions to a corner of the tray, stir the potatoes and roast for a further 10-15 mins until the onions and potatoes are golden.

    3. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C and put a large baking tray inside to heat up. Once hot, toss the potatoes in a bowl with 1 tbsp oil and arrange on the tray in a single layer. Pour over any excess oil and place on the lowest shelf. After 5 mins, add the onions to a corner of the tray, stir the potatoes and roast for a further 10-15 mins until the onions and potatoes are golden.

    4. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C and put a large baking tray inside to heat up. Once hot, toss the potatoes in a bowl with 1 tbsp oil and arrange on the tray in a single layer. Pour over any excess oil and place on the lowest shelf. After 5 mins, add the onions to a corner of the tray, stir the potatoes and roast for a further 10-15 mins until the onions and potatoes are golden.

  3. Dessert: Vegan raspberry mousse with coconut hearts

    Vegan raspberry mousse with coconut hearts recipe

    Serves 2

    2 x 400g tins coconut milk, chilled overnight
    50g icing sugar
    100g frozen raspberries

    1. Make the coconut hearts: carefully open 1 tin of coconut milk without shaking it and spoon the solid coconut cream from the top into a bowl. Save the coconut water for mixing into juices or smoothies.

    2. Whisk the cream for about 30 secs until it starts to thicken. Add 15g of the icing sugar and whisk again for 1-2 mins until thick and fluffy.

    3. Line a small baking tray with nonstick baking paper and spread the cream in a 1cm thick even layer. Freeze for 2-3 hrs until set, or until ready to serve.

    4. Meanwhile, put the frozen raspberries and another 15g icing sugar in a small pan over a medium heat. Cook for 8-10 mins until the berries are broken down into a syrupy liquid. Remove from the heat and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. For a completely smooth coulis, push through a fine sieve to remove the seeds. Set aside to cool, then store in the fridge until needed.

    5. Open the second tin of coconut milk and spoon the solid coconut cream into a bowl. Whisk briefly until starting to thicken, then add the final 20g icing sugar and 2 tbsp of the cooled raspberry coulis. Whisk again for a few mins until thick, fluffy and an even pink colour.

    6. Divide the mousse between 2 serving glasses, cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hrs before serving.

    7. Just before serving, remove the tray of coconut cream from the freezer. Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to stamp out heart shapes, then return to the freezer for 5 mins to firm up. You will only need 2 for this dessert, but the remaining hearts can be layered between pieces of nonstick baking paper in a small freezer-proof container and kept in the freezer for up to 3 days.

    8. To serve, spoon the remaining raspberry coulis over the top of the mousses and top with a coconut cream heart.

    Tip: Make sure that both tins of coconut milk have been chilled for at least 8 hrs or overnight to allow the thick cream and watery liquid to separate.

    Make ahead: All elements of this easy pud can be made ahead, making it easy to serve on the day. Freeze the stamped out coconut cream hearts for up to 3 days. The raspberry coulis will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and the whipped mousse in glasses will keep for 2 days, both covered with clingfilm.

  4. Drink: Rose gin cocktails

    Rose gin cocktails recipe

    Serves 6

    250ml gin
    250ml elderflower and rose cordial (or pomegranate and elderflower)
    250ml fresh pink grapefruit juice
    ½ pink grapefruit, sliced to garnish

    1. Put the ice in a large jug.

    2. Add the gin, cordial and grapefruit juice; mix until cold.

    3. Strain into 6 glasses. Garnish with a grapefruit slice to serve.

    Tip: To make this recipe serve 2, simply divide the ingredient quantities by 3.