The recipes in Tina Bester’s Love Food (Pavilion, £12.99) are basic moreish dishes, many of which have been passed down through the generations. They are simple to make, yet packed with flavours that will make them memorable, particularly as Tina has given them all a modern twist. These hot battered banana treats drizzled with a caramel sauce make a perfect Valentine treat.

YOU WILL NEED 4½ oz (125g) white flour Pinch of salt ½ teaspoon turmeric 8fl oz (250 ml) chilled sparkling mineral water Vegetable oil for frying 4 bananas peeled and cut lengthways 3½ oz (100g) brown sugar 8floz (250ml) fresh cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon butter Vanilla mascarpone to serve.

METHOD Make the caramel sauce by placing all the ingredients in a saucepan and bringing to a slow simmer. Cook for five minutes until the sauce becomes thick.

Place the flour, salt and turmeric in a bowl and whisk in the mineral water until the batter is just combined.

Heat the oil in a pan, dip the banana halves in the batter one at a time, and fry for one minute on each side.

Drain the cooked bananas on kitchen paper and serve while hot with the caramel sauce and cream, yoghurt or mascarpone.