Valentine’s Day often comes with the expectation of romantic dinners and grand gestures, but for those flying solo, it’s the perfect opportunity to turn the focus inward. Who says love needs to be shared to be celebrated? This year, embrace self-love with a delicious twist by whipping up some of our favourite TikTok-inspired recipes for one. Whether you’re a foodie or a kitchen newbie, these quick, creative dishes are sure to make your heart – and taste buds – happy. From indulgent pasta bowls to single-serve desserts, these recipes are a reminder that the best kind of love starts with…
Cooking with only a handful of ingredients can be surprisingly powerful. It’s often more budget-friendly, but more importantly, it forces you to focus on technique rather than relying…
If flowers are your go-to Valentine’s gesture, Café Sofi in Gardens is offering a fresh – and wonderfully playful – twist on tradition this year. On 13 and 14 February, the much-loved neighbourhood restaurant will transform part of its space into a charming balloon flower market, where guests can pick up colourful, air-filled “blooms” instead of the usual roses and lilies. It’s a fun, feel-good take on gifting that feels just as thoughtful, but a little more light-hearted. The pop-up market will be set up in-store for two days, allowing visitors to browse an array of vibrant balloon bouquets while…
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the obligation to gift a loved one with one of many generic gifts stacked on shelves might seem overwhelming. But meaningful gifts…
Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to mean crowded restaurants, inflated set menus, or a night that feels more stressful than romantic. As people become more conscious about how they spend their money – and more intentional about how they spend time with their loved ones – opting for an intimate dinner at home just makes a lot more sense. There’s something deeply meaningful about creating a shared experience in your own space, whether that’s cooking together, setting the table with care, or simply slowing down and being present with one another. And while a thoughtful dinner might take a bit…
Being apart on Valentine’s Day can feel heavy, especially when everything around you seems designed for couples who can clink glasses and share dessert across the same table.…
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about grand gestures or expensive treats. Valentine’s Day is often associated with restaurant bookings, bouquets of roses and boxed chocolates, but some of the most meaningful gestures are the ones you make with your own hands. There’s something deeply special about homemade edible gifts – they carry time, care and intention in every bite. Baking for the people you love turns the day into more than just a celebration of romance; it becomes a celebration of connection. It’s also a beautiful opportunity to slow down and do something together. Get the whole family involved by…
As day gives way to evening in the Paarl winelands, Nederburg invites guests to experience the bountiful excitement of the season with Harvest at Dusk, a celebration of…
If you’ve ever opened your fridge at 6pm and thought, “Not spaghetti again…”, this one’s for you. Cooking for one (or just trying to keep weeknight dinners interesting) can easily slide into a routine of toast, pasta, or whatever’s quickest. But in the spirit of smarter cooking – and stretching your grocery rand – I decided to take one simple ingredient and see just how far it could carry me. Enter: the humble whole roast chicken. Budget-friendly, versatile, and surprisingly generous, this single bird can become four very different meals across the week – with minimal effort and maximum flavour. How to cook your whole roast chicken Start with one medium whole chicken. Pat it dry with paper towel (this helps the…
Valentine’s Day is around the corner. This recipe will steal hearts! Make these shortbread hearts with strawberries and vanilla mascarpone to make your loved one’s day. ALSO SEE: Red…