At Orchard Ovens we believe good, home cooked food, shared with loved ones, is so much more meaningful than flowers or chocolates on Valentine’s Day.  So, as the origins of this romantic festival are also rooted in Italy, we couldn’t resist providing a little inspiration to those wanting to prepare a lovingly cooked wood-fired menu for their own special Valentine. 

Whether you wish to lay on a splendidly formal, restaurant-standard, three-course meal, or a more informal gourmet-pizza night, a wood-fired oven can spark the romance.  Simply light the oven and stir the flames of your Valoriani wood-fired oven.  A wonderfully atmospheric meal for two will be on the cards.

Sip a good glass of red wine, or a perfectly chilled white wine or Prosecco, and gaze into each other’s eyes as the flames flicker beside you.  The warmth generated by the oven should soon envelop your heart, even before the food reaches the table.

Read on and discover some of our favourite Italian dishes (and more!) that can be created at home, the wood-fired way!

Valentine’s Day dishes for your wood-fired oven

A special occasion calls for extra-special food and lobster has to be right up there as one of the most delicious.  Great news is that it’s also very well suited to being cooked in a wood-fired oven.  

thespruceeats.com has plenty of delicious recipes that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day including, Grilled Lobster Tails, which make a perfect and light starter and Baked Lobster as the main event.  Just make sure you get your timings right and these should be a breeze in a wood-fired oven.  Just serve with a side salad, a drizzle of melted butter over the lobster and a squeeze of fresh lemon. 

If it’s a more informal vibe you’re after, pasta dishes are a great option, lasagne, cannelloni or, how about this traditional Sicilian dish, Pasta ’ncasciata, baked with eggplant and cheese?  There is a fabulous recipe at lacucinaitaliana.com and it can be served with crusty garlic bread to share with your love interest.

Valentine’s Day pizza – the wood-fired way

Valentine’s Day presents a great opportunity to impress your loved one with your pizza making skills and whilst you can’t go wrong with a delicious Margherita and a sparkling glass of Prosecco or champagne, you could mix it up a little and try different toppings.  

Jamie Oliver, an Orchard Ovens customer himself, has a fantastic selection of recipes to follow, from the classics to the more adventurous.  Check out this  one, topped with egg, prosciutto, artichokes and olives or this slow-roasted shredded pork with thyme, Taleggio and lemon dressed rocket dressing.

We can’t forget dessert, on such a special occasion and this Next Level Chocolate Fondant recipe from BBC Good Food would certainly satisfy a sweet tooth.  For something less predictable than chocolate, try a slice of this Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake served with a scoop of cream.

Rustle up world cuisine in your woodburning oven

There are so many other dishes from around the world which can all be cooked on your Valoriani oven, according to your own preferences.  Think aromatic curries, tapas, even a traditional roast dinner or steak!  All you need do is get planning – which might include quickly buying a wood-fired oven, if you don’t already have one!  Don’t worry, we have ready-to-go options, as well as full installations and outdoor kitchen design inspiration!

For help making special occasions even more memorable, why not give us a call to discuss how you could incorporate an artisan-built Valoriani oven into your garden or home?  Call us on 01772 250000 or email info@orchardovens.co.uk