There are a lot of us who believe that the hullaballoo around Valentine’s Day is a little cringe and even a little extra! For what it is worth, Valentine’s Day does bring out the best in the creative minds of people – what with V-Day shaped foods, flower arrangements and more. Here is what some of the best chefs minds have created in lieu of Valentine’s Day.

1. Heart Shaped Cakes

Yes, yes, a heart-shaped mould is all it takes to bake a heart-shaped cake – but there are home chefs who have devised a smart hack to create the perfect heart-shaped cake using round and square tins too! Simple cut the round cake in half – place the square cake in a diamond shape and attach the two semi-circular round halves to each side. Check out this video to understand this better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaZy8E3_VhQ

In the latest craze, piñata cakes have made an arrival. Heart-shaped piñata cakes that can be smashed with a hammer are in vogue and available on the regular. Little heart-shaped cupcakes and muffins are also quite popular for Valentine’s Day. 

A recent trend shows Bento Box or Lunchbox Cakes which are also a rage amongst the millennials. These are perfectly sized cakes – servable for up to two people. 

2. Heart Macarons 

The undisputed macaron queen of India is not only a fabulous baker, she is also a smart boss woman. This is why come V-Day and she gets creating perfectly pink heart-shaped macarons. These brittle, delicate, crumbly biscuits are made with almond meal and egg whites and sandwiched with oozy ganache. 

3. Pizzas

Heart-shaped pizzas! For all those stars crossed lovers out there who aren’t fond of sweet somethings – these hand-rolled pizzas with the crust shaped in a heart and topped with all things exotic and delicious, these scream Valentine like nothing else does!

4. Chocolates and Pralines

Nothing says love more than chocolates do – from Dairy Milk to more niche chocolatiers; everyone creates V-Day special chocolates for this special occasion. Dairy Milk has come out with bars of chocolate with a heart that can be popped from within the bar. For those with a more exotic taste, heart-shaped pralines filled with strawberry fruity liqueurs and exotic roasted nuts for best results. 

5. Pancakes

Breakfast in bed is a great way to start your V-Day and what better than heart-shaped pancakes! These fluffy cakes melt in the mouth and look great on a plate when styled right. Simply spruce your heart-shaped pancakes with some cream, and strawberries if you are too sleepy to think straight. Get a ready pancake mix if you’re unsure of your culinary skills. If you want to make these at home – it is super simple! All you need is:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 3/4th cup milk (more if needed)
• pinch of salt
• baking powder
• 1/4th cup powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• Few drops of vanilla essence

1. Beat the eggs until fluffy and add the milk, butter and sugar. 

2. In a separate bowl add the flour, salt, baking powder and give it a nice mix. 

3. Add spoonfuls of the flour mixture to the wet mix and make a batter. Add the vanilla essence.

4. On a non stick pan, ladle some batter and let it bubble up. Flip the pancake until done and serve hot with a pat of butter or syrup.

For heart-shaped pancakes, use a cookie cutter as a mould or make your own mould by folding an aluminium foil sheet into a heart shape. This might require a little crafty sense but you’ll get there.

6. Sandwiches

For the absolutely clueless cooks who are trying to make their partners feel special, sandwiches are a great V-Day food. Find the largest loaf you can find and create a special sandwich with the kind of fillings that your SO will enjoy. Don’t overfill these. Get a steel heart-shaped cookie cutter and press it onto the filled sandwich to make a heart. 

You could also use this to make heart-shaped toasts and top them off with cheese and fruit for an easier finish. 

Make a simple grilled cheese sandwich by layering the bread and cheese and cutting them into hearts. Grill these to brown and crisp perfection and serve with tomato soup.

7. Upma/Pulao

If your special one is quintessentially Indian and loves all things desi, the only way out here is to plate your food right and make it look heart shaped. Get foods that stick well such as upma or pulao and shape them with a cookie cutter. Slowly and carefully lift your cookie cutter from the dish to retain the shape. 

8. Rotis

If all else fails, rotis made with beetroot will give a lovely red hue. Roll them into a heart shape to eat with your curries. Simply add the beetroot puree to your dough before adding water and make a pliable roti dough. You can use a cookie cutter here a well, to give your roti a heart shape. 

9. Cookies

Finally – a dish which actually uses a cookie cutter the way it is to be used! Simple buttery cookies can be made into hearts and iced with a variety of colours and toppings to make them interesting. If you’re too bored to cook, there are many brands that will offer these easily – just keep your eyes peeled. 

10. Heart shaped fruit and veggies

For the health conscious SO who won’t indulge in these sinful sweets and carbs, a great way to create a proper V-Day vibe is to cut fruits and veggies into a heart shape using little heart shaped cookie cutters. Carrots, beets, cucumbers, avocados, mangoes, papaya, apples, bananas and potatoes are great to turn into hearts. 

Whatever way you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, whether or not you get some fancy sweets, we sure hope you are surrounded with lots of great food on this day of love!