From the Kitchen with Love: Wholesome and Tasty Valentine's Day Recipes

As Valentine's Day approaches, what better way to express your affection than through the art of cooking? 

In this curated selection of Valentine's Day recipes, we've handpicked dishes that blend the perfect balance of health and indulgence. Whether you're an experienced chef or a novice in the kitchen, our recipes are designed to be approachable, ensuring that everyone can create a delightful, nourishing Valentine's Day feast.

Quinoa Biryani

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups mixed veggies (carrots, beans,cauliflower and broccoli)
• ½ cup paneer(cottage cheese) optional
• 1 medium onion thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
• 2 green chillies slit into half
• 2 tablespoon mint (pudina) leaves
• 2 tablespoon cilantro (coriander leaves)
• 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera)
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil / Ghee(clarified butter)
• 1.25 cups water
• salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Instant Pot Method:

• Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add cumin (jeera). When cumin seeds begin to sizzle, add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 30 seconds.
• Then add sliced onions, green chili, and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color – stir regularly.
•   Add mixed vegetables, paneer, mint, coriander leaves and cook for a minute.
• Then add rinsed quinoa, biryani masala powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, and water and mix everything well. Adjust seasoning at this stage. Cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
• Once the pot beeps, Wait for Natural Pressure Release (NPR). Remove the lid away from you, squeeze some lime juice.
• Vegetable Quinoa Biryani is ready. Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.

Ragi Dark Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 100 gm compound dark chocolate
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup castor sugar or brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup ragi flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Method:

• Preheat the oven at 100 degrees C.
• Break the compound chocolate into smaller chunks and melt them in a double boiler. Keep it aside and let it cool completely.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until light and fluffy.
• Add the sugar, a teaspoon at a time, and continue whisking until well combined.
• Combine the melted chocolate with melted butter and mix well. Pour this into the egg and sugar mixture, and whisk well .
• Sift together the ragi flour and baking powder.
• Add a teaspoon at a time to the above mixture while you continue folding. Ensure that no lumps are left behind but do not over mix .
• Give it a final fold, and transfer to a small baking tin (6 inch diameter).
• Bake in the oven at 150 degree C for 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted at the center of the tin comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool a little before demoulding onto a plate.