Valentine’s Day is coming up and whether you are gluten-free and vegan (and more!) or not, Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu Ideas are always helpful. Going out to a packed restaurant to pay a big chunk of money for mediocre food is my worst case scenario. It isn’t always be like that – it might even be romantic – but experiences of eating out if you are gluten-free and vegan can vary (to be polite).

So, although I love to eat out I really like to make special meals at home. (I find the odd pressure of Valentine’s Day very weird – a bit like the strange pressure of new year’s eve). So, if like me you fancy a Valentine’s Day at home here is an Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu

What Is Valentine’s Day And Where Does It Come From???

Before we get to that though, who is Saint Valentine and was (Saint) Valentine’s Day really just a ruse by the greetings card industry to get us to spend more money on cards?

History and religion do not tell accurate stories so much of what is believed about Saint Valentine is assumption and conjecture and most of it cannot be agrees on…

Saint Valentine (there are two: Saint Valentine of Rome and Saint Valentine of Terni) was probably a Roman priest in the third century AD. The popular hagiographical account goes something like this…

Emperor Claudius II had banned marriages, believing married men made bad soldiers. Saint Valentine was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. During his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed ‘Your Valentine‘ as a farewell.

The 14 February first became associated with romance within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards (AKA ‘Valentine’s‘). Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Saint Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Church. Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day, albeit on July 6 (in honour of Roman presbyter Saint Valentine) and July 30 (in honour of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, modern Terni).

So, Saint Valentine is real – there were two of them. Valentine’s Day seems to have been totally made up by Chaucer’s circle over 600 years ago. Card manufacturers didn’t make it up but they love it as people feel obliged to spend money on cards and presents (in the UK at least).

Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu

When I start to plan a menu my mind quite often goes straight to dessert. Available fruit for seasonal dessert (not great in February – frozen fruit is great!) So, for Valentine’s Day here’s what me and my Valentine are having…

Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu – Starter

I would go for a really light soup. My favourite light soup (using seasonal carrots) is Carrot and Lemon Soup. It is light, refreshing, full of flavour, not too sweet and utterly delicious.

Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu – Main Course

Main course is a tricky one. Something pretty sophisticated but easy and delicious… Mmm. Okay, I choose Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Walnut Tart. It oozes sophistication and class (and taste!).

Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu – Side Dish

You need some great sides to go with such a fabulous tart. Endive Salad with Pears and Almonds is perfect. The slight bitterness of the endives with the sweet pears go so well with the crisp tart. Just lovely!

Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu – Dessert

The tricky dessert… Obviously, as I mentioned, chocolate but chocolate what? I don’t often eat three courses (I can’t actually remember the last time I did eat three courses) so I think a fairly light chocolate dessert would be perfect. You will love Blackberry and Almond Chocolate Mousse. You can use frozen blackberries out of season. This mousse ticks so many boxes; light, rich, delicious, chocolate, slightly tart and easy!

What are Your Favourite Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu?

There are lots and lots and lots of Tips and Tricks for Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menus out there – this is just a tiny selection of ideas. There are lots more…

What are Your Tips and Tricks for Easy, Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Valentine’s Day Menu? Drop a comment below or ping me on social media! 🙂