As we inch closer to February, we’re nearing St Valentine’s Day and if you’re staying home this year, you might have started to think about planning your menu. You really want a menu that’s simple and not too stressful, tasty and a little bit creative. Sharing food is always nice, I think, or something that you wouldn’t eat everyday and hopefully, a dish or a meal that’s memorable.
This year I’ve been tasked by British brand Gran Luchito, to create a recipe to the theme of #SpicyValentines based upon their smoked chilli paste – available online at Amazon, or on the Ottolenghi food website, no less. Three products were sent to me as inspiration- Gran Luchito’s original smoked chilli paste, some smoked chilli mayo and some smoked chilli honey. All three products are made with rare smoked Mexican chillies, providing a spicy, sweet, smokey hit to your food. I decided to use their smoked chilli honey, as a drizzle for some baked Camembert. Brie would work nicely, too, or even a British alternative, such as this heart-shaped Daylesford Organic Baywell Cheese, spotted on Ocado.
A baked cheese is such an easy starter to make, there’s really no preparation at all, other than removing any wrapping that your cheese is in and placing it back into its little wooden container. You can also wrap it in tin foil if you prefer. I usually score a cross into the top of the cheese, just to make it easier to see the bubbles when they start oozing from the inside. After twenty minutes, carefully take your cheese out of the oven, scatter over some chopped walnuts for added crunch and drizzle over some slightly warm Gran Luchito Smoked Chilli Honey. Serve with chunks of crusty bread and be careful you don’t burn your fingers when dipping in!
Have I encouraged you to try a #SpicyValentines by adding a touch of rare Mexican smoked chilies?!
If so, here are a few more recipes to explore –
Laura’s Spiced, Honey Roast Squash, Chorizo, Prawn and Feta Salad
Jacqueline’s Smoked Chilli Bean Burgers
Michelle’s Salmon with Gran Luchito Honey Glaze or Trout with Gran Luchito Mayo
Nazima’s Braised Poussin with Chilli, Lime and Herb Broth
Helen’s Chilli Honey Marshmallows
Sarah’s Hot Stuff Bitesize Brownies with Oaxacan Smoked Chilli Honey (GF)
Urvashi’s Chilli Honey Baklava
Baked Camembert with Smoked Chilli Honey & Walnuts
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 2
A baked Camembert, drizzled with some Gran Luchito smoked chilli honey and scattered with walnuts - perfect for sharing
Ingredients
- 150g Pasturised Camembert or Brie (in its box)
- 2 teaspoons Gran Luchito Mexican Smoked Chilli Honey
- 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
- 1 small ciabatta roll
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
- Remove any plastic wrapping or packaging from the cheese and place it back into its box. Score a cross into the top of the cheese, just piercing the rind. Place the lid back on. Bake the cheese for fifteen to twenty minutes, or until the cheese had melted in the middle.
- Carefully take the cheese out of the oven and place on a serving plate. In a small pan, gently warm the smoked chilli honey. Drizzle the warm honey over the cheese and sprinkle over the chopped walnuts.Serve with small chunks of crusty bread.
Courses Starter
Cuisine French
With thanks to Gran Luchito for this paid recipe commission; in addition to products sent, my time and additional ingredients were covered.
What are you thinking of eating or serving for Valentine’s Day?