For many of us gentlemen of the world the time will come that you have been with the lady of your dreams for that year marker, or possibly two, or even ten years, etc (or possibly just stuck in a shitty relationship that you have no hope of relinquishing any time soon). Whatever you may or may not think your lot in life denotes that the female of the relationship will know this date as “the anniversary” and as the male you will be required by law to acknowledge this. You will say some nice things, possibly buy her a nice gift and you need to cook her something a little special. This scenario is also perfectly relevant for the man who possibly hasn’t got “a bit” for a while… or a long while and you are gagging for it more than an inmate on a conjugal visit. Maybe you want to make something a little more appealing than your usual steak and chips or pasta carbonara or vegemite on toast or whatever it is you usually cook for dinner… or maybe you should just try changing the sheets on your bed. It is a good sign that your sheets need a wash when they follow you to the bathroom.

Just a little disclaimer before I go on; I don’t have any problems in the horizontal mambo department. My tackle is more sorted than a commercial fisherman and I am baited up and ready to go. I’m just trying to hook a brother up (pun intended). Not hook up with a brother though… that’s just not my styles.

Prawns and chorizo with broad beans (you gotta get some green things in there. Girls love their green things) is a pretty easy way to go about getting yourself some good points – yes, I would say even for you if you are still reading this blog. Team that with a few cracking but simple sides and you brother, are on a sure ticket to I-got-me-some-ville.

I feel I have made it very clear I am not in need of prescription help for my libido, but it was recently our wedding anniversary. I styled through the whole affair with this dish and Jennee followed up with a kick-ass black forest cake thing.

All in all, a great time was had by all, and we are definitely still well and truly in love. Awwwww.

PRAWNS & CHORIZO WITH BROAD BEANS & APPLE CIDER (for 2. If you are feeding more than one lover you need to be able to do the math)

8 large king prawns, peeled and deveined (leave the head on for sex appeal, maximum flavour and just so you can suck on it like a mongrel dog to really impress her)
200g chorizo sausage, sliced
1 cup broad beans, outer skins removed (frozen will work fine), blanched if fresh
1 onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tomato, diced
¼ preserved lemon, skin only, super finely chopped
1 bottle decent apple cider that you would drink… mostly because we only need a splash so you will get to drink the remainder
A good handful of mint and parsley, picked and chopped
Olive oil

• Sauté chorizo in a splash of oil
• Once starting to release it’s flavoursome juices, add onion and garlic, sauté for another two minutes
• Add prawns and cook out for another minute
• Add broad beans, tomato, preserved lemon and a good splash of apple cider. Simmer for another minute or until prawns are cooked
• Season, garnish with chopped herbs and serve
• Don’t wear pants to the table as you will not be needing them tonight, my friend

ROMESCO SAUCE

Use this recipe

AIOLI

Take my mayonnaise recipe and add 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic to the recipe before you add the oil

GARLIC ROASTED POTATOES

Season your potatoes and roast in a good splash of olive oil. Just before they get crispy add a few cloves of smashed garlic. Smashed like a teenage kid at the post ball party. Finish roasting and there you have it; garlic-y potatoes

POLENTA CRUMBED ARTICHOKES AND BABY BROCCOLI

Toss artichoke hearts and blanched baby broccoli through an egg mix and then into polenta. Pan fry in 1cm oil until golden and crisp. Season, douse with lemon juice and serve