With Valentine's Day around the corner and the cooking skills of some people (ahem) as useless as ever, finding an easy to cook but gorgeous-tasting meal can make the difference between a warm cuddle or the cold shoulder.
For those who love a cosy night in on February 14, the the M&S 'two dine for £20' deal could be tempting. You get a starter, main, side, dessert and bottle of Prosecco or soft drink, with a host of options to choose from.
But it it worth the cash? For myself and my partner, we went for a cheese and leek tart for starters; steak, potato Dauphinoise for main, lemon cheesecake for dessert and a bottle of Prosecco that was way too posh for us.
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Starter: Cheese and Leek Tart
We started with a filling tart and I was quite happy at how things were playing out. A mix of cheddar and red Leicester, coupled with the earthy leek, made for a great pairing. The shortcrust pastry was really tasty and flaked just as it should.
However, despite the strong flavours, it wasn't too heavy on the palette for a starter. Although I was a fan, my partner wasn't so sure about the level of cheese, but that meant more for me, so I wasn't complaining.
I was impressed with the tart, especially as there was no meat. I would highly recommend grabbing these if you opt for M&S on Tuesday.
Main: Steak and Potato Dauphinoise
Next came the main: rump steak, veg and potato Dauphinoise. So, getting the negatives out the way first, there simply wasn't enough. At the stands in the supermarket, it became clear to me that it was potato or veg, not both. In my eyes, it wouldn't have hurt to have two sides in the deal, allowing you to get veg as well as something else.
The two choices from our selection on their own would definitely not have filled us up, so we ended up diving into the freezer to put some veg on quick when we realised there wasn't enough. However, that aside, it was delicious.
The potatoes were creamy, but not sickly. The crunchy cheese topping offered a great change of texture and the strong garlic flavours gave the side some depth.
Now for the star of the show, the steak. I have to say, this was the best steak I've ever had from a supermarket, without a doubt. It cut like butter and there wasn't an ounce of fat on it. I know for some people the lack of "marbling" is an issue, but I would much rather my steak looked lean than had a load of fat running through it.
Cooking it blue for me and well done(ish) for my partner, both tasted great. With the addition of a peppercorn sauce too, I couldn't fault it – even an idiot like me could cook it right. Granted, I won't get any marks for my presentation, but it tasted great.
Dessert: Lemon Cheesecake and Prosecco
After giving ourselves a few minutes to let it go down, and after doing a bit of washing up, it was time to put the last course to the test, along with the alcohol, obviously. Again, for me, the cheesecakes were just a little too small, making you feel like you'd maybe been done over slightly.
However, what it lacked in size it made up for in taste. The cheesecake base and filling provided that sugary feeling you want from a pudding, while the lemon gave it a refreshing tang to cleanse the pallet. As for the Prosecco, coming in at £12 a bottle, I'm told it was quite expensive.
I'm not a fan of the stuff personally, but for my mum and partner, it's the nectar of the Gods. Apparently, it wasn't too strong at all and was very smooth to drink. All in all, I'd say the M&S deal is pretty good, but make sure you've got some biscuits in the cupboard because you might be left wanting more.
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