With it being February, love is all around as they say, so Happy Valentines!

I walked past a restaurant the other day which had emblazoned in huge type the following quote above its Valentine’s menu: ‘When love is not madness, it is not love’ by Pedro Calderon de la Barca and then in the window of a little boutique chocolate shop I saw the following ‘Forget love, I’d rather fall in chocolate!’

Whichever way you decide to go this year, I think, rather than it being a single day of commercially-pressured presents and gestures, I reckon we should dedicate the whole month to showing those around us how much we care, and, to distract from the nippy weather, also showing oneself as much love as possible by indulging in lots of extra-special treats!

So whether it’s your first bash at some rose-scented macaroons filled with tissue-paper-thin strawberry crisps, heart-shaped red velvet cupcakes, gold-dusted caramel truffles, pink praline-topped chocolate soufflés, a champagne-laced risotto, baked eggs with cream and truffle, or pomegranate and honey panna cottas, to name a few apt dishes, have a go and do something truly lovely for yourselves this month too! Or maybe even just swirl yourself a heart on the top of your morning cappuccino? Why not…?

And it is of course Chinese New Year and Pancake Day too this February, so even more reasons for food celebration and enjoyment. I’ll be curling up to a re-read of Wild Swans by Jung Chang with Chinese Five Spice Crispy Squid served in paper cones and Sichuan Braised Beef Broth with Chilli and Tomato with Noodles. For pancakes, caramelised orange with cardamom and brown sugar with a smidge of crème fraiche hits the spot for me.

Valentine’s weekend also sees the international release of my favourite Indian actor’s new film My Name Is Khan, which he says is one of the nicest love stories he has ever participated in, so please do check out Shahrukh Khan’s new heart-warmer of a film. If you like it and have never watched an Indian movie before, I recommend Veer Zaara, Dil Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Kabhie Kushie Kabhie Gham for more Shahrukh blockbusters that will tug away at all but the coldest heart’s strings!

	Me and Shahrukh!

I should hopefully have news on the Cooking Like Mummyji reprint by the end of the month. FINALLY!!! Thank you so much for all your continuous messages of support.

So with glamorous sparkle left, right and centre on the box from the Oscars, Brits, Baftas and Fashion Week, in addition to the food opportunities of Valentine’s, Chinese New Year and Shrove Tuesday, hope you enjoy all the delights February has to offer and thoroughly spoil yourselves. Also, don’t miss the superb gem James writes about here, a truly Great British café and another place to pick up some treats to brighten any freezing snow-speckled day.

Until next, my love, as ever,