Looking for menu ideas? Check out our seasonal recipe suggestions on the Recipes Page

Welcome to our February edition of bare ingredients.

With February upon us, we have Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day and Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, as noteworthy events, so Sarah has put together some great recipe ideas to give you inspiration. Firstly, both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day fall on the 14th of February, but as we celebrate the arrival of the New Year, it is a Chinese tradition to have the Reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve.

Chinese Reunion Dinner (13th of February.)

The days before the Chinese New Year's Eve sees the largest movement of people from all over the world heading home to celebrate with family and friends. The selection, below, is based on the typical dishes that we enjoyed with our Chinese friends when we were invited to celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney.

Starters, Canapés and Dim Sum (Yum Cha) Selection

• Chinese Stuffed Prawns
• Crispy Prawn Wontons
• Ha Cheung (Fresh Rice Rolls with Prawns or BBQ Pork)
• Paper Fried Chicken
• Scallop and Pork Siu Mai
• Steamed Chinese Dumplings
• Steamed Filled Rice in Lotus Leaves
• Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Mains

• Deep Fried Fish with a Sweet and Sour Spicy Sauce
• Steamed Lobster with Garlic, Ginger and Black Bean
• Peking Duck

Vegetables

• Stir Fried Choy Sum (Flowering Chinese Cabbage)

Desserts

• Chinese Toffee Apple

Valentine's Day Dinner

We dislike the idea of foodies heading out to do battle at their local restaurant in search of a romantic meal. I am not going to discuss the sequinised eating you have to practise because the tables are packed in so tightly there is no room to maneuver or discuss the disappointment in the food that is bland as anything. No, all I would say is that planning and cooking for that someone special is the best way to show how much you care.

We have both a vegetarian and classic Valentine's Day Dinner Menu to help you plan that ever so special meal.

Starter

• Grilled Oysters with Herb Chevre and Parma Ham
• Goats Cheese Soufflés with a Tomato and Basil Dressing (vegetarian)

Mains

• Dover Sole Meuniere with Prawns and Baby Mushrooms
• Morel and Asparagus Open Lasagne (vegetarian)

Desserts

• Spiced Individual Chocolate Cakes
• Chocolate Fondue (vegetarian)

Drinks & Cocktails

• Traditional Champagne Cocktail
• Classic Bloody Mary

Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras)

Shrove Tuesday falls on the 16th of February, this year. It is a day that traditionally would see the last feast before the fasting of Lent. In English speaking countries, Shrove Tuesday is often known as Pancake Day, as it is where pancakes were served. Sarah has put together some great recipes for your to try, from savoury through to sweet, so there is something for everybody.

Basic pancake mixture

• Brittany Pancakes

Savoury Pancakes

• Blinis
• Elizabeth's' Tuna Mornay Pancakes
• Elizabeth's' Yummy Corn Cakes with Maple Syrup and Bacon
• Malaysian Style Seafood Pancakes
• Potato Pancakes with Bacon and Maple Syrup
• Potato Pancakes with Smoked Venison
• Silverbeet and Stilton Crepes
• Tea Smoked Duck Breast with Bok Choy and Asian Mushroom Pancakes
• Wild Mushroom Crepes served with Asparagus and Tomato Concasse

Sweet Pancakes

• Red Bean Pancakes
• Scottish Pancakes with Jam and Clotted Cream
• Yummy Pancakes with Lemon and Sugar

Seasons

For over ten years now, we have been bringing you the best seasonal recipe ideas, so that not only can you enjoy the ingredients that are in season and at their best, you can do your bit to ensure the ingredients you buy are sustainable and eco-friendly. So, have a look at our Recipes page for great menu ideas in February, covering both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Also, Sarah has once again updated her "February's What to eat now" guide for those who are looking to get the most out of the seasonal ingredients. There are both Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere articles.

Books

Over the last ten years there have been some excellent cookery books. Sarah has selected her favourites in our The Decade's Best Cookery Books list.

The list, in alphabetical order: Balance & Harmony by Neil Perry, Black Pudding & Foie Gras by Andrew Pern, Cinnamon Club Cookbook, The by Iqbal Wahhab, Creole by Babette De Roziéres, Made in Italy by Giorgio Locatelli, Maggie's Harvest by Maggie Beer, Moro, The Cookbook by Samuel Clark, My China by Kylie Kwong, River Café Cookbook Green by Ruth Rogers, River Cottage Fish Book, The by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Rôtis: Roasts for everyday of the week by Stéphane Reynaud.

Farmers' Markets

We have now launched our Farmers' Market page. We are going to work on Britain, Ireland and Canada over the next few months, but if you have a special Farmers' Market that you love to see listed, drop us a note via the Contact Us page.

Is there something missing? If you can't find a recipe, or want some information, why don't you Email us to ask for help. Just use the Contact page to reach us.

Enjoy!

The bare ingredients team.
(Now part of Foodie LLC.)

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