Serves: 2

First published in The JC August 11 2011.

Next Monday, August 15, coincides with Av 15 and its festival, Tu B'Av. It is an unusual celebration with an interesting history. In Temple times, unmarried girls of Jerusalem would put on white dresses and dance in vineyards. The city's single men watched them with a view to selecting a wife.

The holiday has more recently become akin to a Jewish Valentine's Day. It is customary to send red roses to your love interest, romantic songs are played on the radio and love is in the air.

If you are planning to cook a romantic Tu B'Av dinner for your date, here are some tips to help it run smoothly:

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Topics:

Salad

Vegetarian salad

Tu b'Av

Ingredients

Name: Ten minute fig and rocket salad
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: Serves 2 Preparation: 10 minutes. Ingredients; 100g rocket leaves; 4 figs, cut into eighths (or quarters if small); 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 tsp honey; 3 tbsp fruity extra virgin olive oil; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper; 50g flaked almonds

Serves 2

Preparation: 10 minutes.

Ingredients
100g rocket leaves
4 figs, cut into eighths (or quarters if small)
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp honey
3 tbsp fruity extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
50g flaked almonds