What you need

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 6 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 slices Grand Marnier Pâté

• 4 strips unsmoked bacon, roughly chopped

• ½ cup red wine

• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary

• 1 fresh bay leaf

• 3 Tbsp brandy

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Fresh rosemary and bay leaves, to garnish

• Toasted bread and warm Apple and Date Chutney, to serve

Instructions

• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large, nonstick frying pan. Add the onion and half the garlic and cook gently for 10 minutes.

• Add the pâté and bacon to the pan and fry for 5 minutes.

• Now add the red wine, herbs and rest of the garlic. Bring to a boil, cover and cook gently for 20 minutes.

• Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool until lukewarm.

• Remove the herbs and process the mixture in a food processor until smooth.

• While the pâté is being processed, add the butter in a bit at a time. Pour in the brandy and season to taste. Turn the processor off and taste. Spoon the pâté into a serving dish.

• Spread a dollop of the finished mixture onto your toasted bread and top with Apple and Date Chutney. Round out your romantic meal with a few aphrodisiacs, such as banana slices dipped in chocolate. For visual appeal, add a few heart-shaped, chocolate-dipped strawberries. Grab a glass of wine or champagne, and enjoy dessert in front of a crackling fire — or virtual fireplace, if you don’t have the real thing.