Add a little bit of crips, crunch or dazzle to your meals to transform them from drab to fabulous. 

Here are some inexpensive ways to jazz up your regular weeknight dinner for a stay-in date night. Don’t know where to start when looking to level up your dishes? Follow our texture cheat sheet: 

Crispy  

Scatter these over your dish just before serving  

• Homemade pangrattato (crispy breadcrumbs): Fry left over breadcrumbs in some butter and chopped rosemary until crispy.  
• Thinly sliced fried garlic: Add to hot oil and fry until golden.  
• Fried sage leaves : Add to hot oil and sizzle for a few seconds before draining them on kitchen paper. 

Crunchy  

Add that extra crackle  

• Toasted seeds: Sunflower, sesame, flax or pumpkin seeds contain loads of healthy fats. 
• Crispy pitas: Slice the pitas into eighths, drizzle with oil, season with cumin and bake until crispy.  
• Parmesan chips: Add small clumps of finely grated Parmesan onto a lined tray – keep 5cm apart. Season with milled pepper and bake for 3-5 minutes until golden.

Colour  

You can’t go wrong with some vibrant hues! 

Scatter over microgreens, edible flowers, citrus zest twirls, pickled onion or berries. 

Dazzle  

Go the extra mile with your dessert by using  

• Edible glitter, crumbled biscuits, candy floss tufts.  
• Chocolate shavings, a chocolate drizzle, dusting of cocoa or icing sugar.  
• Fresh citrus zest, candied ginger, fresh fruit pulp.  
• Store-bought dessert topper, sparklers or confetti.  
• Pre-plating – plate up the main or dessert and serve it to your partner to make it feel that much fancier! 

Words by: Sjaan Van Der Ploeg 
Photographs: Fresh Living Magazine, Shutterstock 

The post Inexpensive ways to jazz up date nights meals  appeared first on MyKitchen.

The ultimate date night checklist

Whether you’re planning an intimate night in or splashing out at your favourite restaurant, Sjaan van der Ploeg has put together a fool-proof checklist that ticks all the right boxes.   

Long-distance love?
Bridge the gap like this…  

1. Order flowers, cake, a card or special gift to be delivered to where they are staying.  

2. Rope in family members. Ask a sibling or parent to help you surprise your partner and make them feel special despite the distance.  

3. For the hopeless romantics, book a flight to surprise your partner on the day, just make sure they aren’t doing the same thing!  

Date night out?
Don’t forget to run through these key points:  

BEFORE
– Make a restaurant reservation at least a week before to get that scenic seat.
– Make it official. Send your partner a formal invite to them to this special dinner date.
– If you’re giving a gift, sneak into your bedroom before you head out and place it on your partner’s pillow to surprise them when you get home.  

DURING
– Order a few dishes to share between the two of you so your experience can be interactive.
Turn your phone on silent to be fully present for your dinner.  

AFTER
– Find somewhere different to go for dessert, and take a walk together in a park or along a promenade.  

Date night in? 
Follow these top tips:  
– Set up the table beautifully (take a look at Kitchen 101 on page 10 of the February issue for tips!)
– Add a picture frame, candle, vase of flowers, box of chocolates or a special trinket to finish off the table.
– Make sure all the food prep and clean-up is done before the night so that you can focus on your partner and be present.
– If your partner’s love language is quality time: rope them into helping you with dinner — make it a fun and interactive experience and enjoy the process of creating delicious food together.  

Love on the brain  

Love languages in the limelight
The five different love languages developed by author Gary Chapman have been embraced around their world as a tool for improving the way in which we prefer to show and receive affection. Here are a few gift ideas that cater to each type:  

Words of affirmation
You communicate your love and affection towards your partner through talking. A few compliments and words of encouragement will go a long way.  
Try This 
Write a well thought-out love letter about your favourite memories together, what you love about them, and your hopes for your future.  

Physical touch

Physical touch says it all; your partner feels comforted by your touch, they feel connected to you and reassured in the relationship by simply feeling your touch or presence.  
Try This 
Set up a super special at-home massage with candles, essential oils, dimmed lights and calm music. Or cosy up together under a blanket to watch your favourite TV show or a movie.
 

Gift giving  
It’s not only the material aspect behind this gift that creates joy, it’s also the fact that there was thought, effort and time that went into the gift. 
Try This 
Order a few of their favourite food-related things. Splurge on an expensive olive oil or treat them to a set of fancy wine glasses, a rare bottle of gin or a kitchen tool that’s a have-to-have.  

Acts of service
This goes beyond the task being done. It’s also about the time and effort put into the process. This does not always have to be geared towards your partner, but can include community service or charity work. 
Try This 
Book a holiday, but handle all the admin. Deal directly with the venue, make any necessary payments and do the shopping if it’s a self-catering vibe.  

Quality time
Quality time is also how people feel connected to their significant other. Leave the phone behind or company laptop switched off.  
Try This 
Enjoy a scenic picnic, drive to a viewpoint or cook together.  

One last thing 
You might not have the same love language as your partner. The special task behind this exercise is to push yourself to do the things your partner loves, despite the difference in the ways you show love and care. 

 Photography: Getty, Fresh Living Magazine, Courtesy Images

The post 5 Ways To Show Love And Understand Your Partner appeared first on MyKitchen.

Timamoon Lodge chef Kelly Hammond calls these delicious litchi, pomegranate and rose cocktails the Red Lotus, an ideal beverage for two love birds spending some quality time together.

SERVES 2 // COOKING TIME 5 min

INGREDIENTS
90 ml litchi puree (4–5 litchis)
¼ cup pomegranate juice
¼ cup vodka
2 dashes Angostura bitters
½ tsp rose water
Splash sparkling wine

METHOD
1. Add all the ingredients, except the sparkling wine, into a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake with ice for a few seconds and then pour into glasses.
3. Top up with sparkling wine and garnish with fresh whole litchis.

Recipe, styling & photography: Kelly Hammond

Complete date night with these strawberry stuffed chicken breasts, also from Kelly’s Timamoon menu.

The post Litchi, pomegranate and rose cocktails appeared first on MyKitchen.

Introducing the Love Birds from Timamoon Lodge. Featuring stuffed chicken breasts with cheese, strawberries and red pepper, this recipe by chef Kelly Hammond is the ideal date night treat.

SERVES 2 // COOKING TIME 40 min

INGREDIENTS
For the stuffed chicken breasts
3 tbsp finely chopped basil
3 tbsp crumbled feta
2 tbsp finely chopped red pepper
2 tbsp plain cream cheese
¼ cup chopped strawberries
2 skinless chicken breasts
For the basil sauce
½ cup cream
2 tbsp basil pesto
For the salsa
¼ tomato
¼ cup chopped strawberries
2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
¼ jalapeño, seeded and chopped
¼ avocado, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp lemon juice

METHOD
For the stuffed chicken breasts
1. Mix together all the ingredients, except the chicken, and season well with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Cut a horizontal slit through the thickest part of each chicken breast to make a pocket. Use the stuffing mixture to stuff the chicken breasts. Press closed and secure with toothpicks.
3. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and refrigerate.
For the basil sauce
1. Add the cream and pesto to a pot over medium heat. Stir continuously until thickened.
For the salsa
1. Toss the tomato, strawberries, red onion, jalapeño and avo together. Add the olive oil, lemon juice and then season to taste.
To assemble
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Heat some oil in an oven-proof pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes on one side.
3. Flip the chicken breasts and transfer to the oven for about 8 minutes, until cooked. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the toothpicks and slice the chicken breasts. Drizzle with the pan juices and serve with the pesto sauce and strawberry salsa.

Recipe, styling & photography: Kelly Hammond

Serve your Love Birds with these traditional Peruvian grapefruit cocktails.

The post Strawberry stuffed chicken breasts for date night at home appeared first on MyKitchen.

Ah, Valentine’s Day. You either love the romance, gifting and chocolates, or you absolutely despise the day. One thing’s for sure, no matter how you feel, there’s bound to be food involved! While you may not be the lovey-dovey type, there are still plenty of date ideas and all they take is some fresh ingredients and some time in the kitchen!

By Taryn Wilson

1. WINE & DINE

Heading out to fine establishment to enjoy a romantic meal with your other half may seem cliché but will still hold plenty of enjoyment (especially if the food is good). This route is slightly more extravagant, so you may want to add something small to give the date a personal touch. Make your own dessert to enjoy together at home after your meal for a sweet and intimate moment. Home-made Turkish delight will never fail!

2. PIZZA PICNIC

For something more casual, you can go for a simple treat with a scenic view. Enjoying a hot cheesy pizza on a rooftop or hill may be you and your partner’s preferred choice of ‘wining and dining’. The relaxed and peaceful setting will put you at ease and let you enjoy each other’s company in a special way. Also, did we mention that making your own pizza is amazing? There’s nothing like this ham, fig and Brie pizza.

3. A THEMED EVENING 

Forget the hearts and boxes of chocolates, be creative with dinner and opt for themed foods representing a common interest between you and your partner. You may both love superheroes and comics, or have a wicked taste for Halloween. Decorate your home and prep the meals in advance for a special and fun surprise. Not sure where to start? Try this Halloween-themed 3-course treat!

4. COOKING CLASS

Not only is it an indulgent time, but taking a cooking class with your other half is a fun and unique activity that you’ll both benefit from. The options are also endless – from sushi, decadent chocolate desserts and traditional African meals to wine-making, Asian cuisine and local treats with flair, you’re bound to find something you’ll both enjoy!

5. BRAAI NATION

Maybe you’d both rather skip the fancy and creative ideas and settle for something simple and cosy – a good old-fashioned braai! Enjoy a few drinks by the fireplace and make your favourite chops with a side salad and some braaied mealies for a lekker time. We recommend these pork chops with bacon jam and Cheddar for a sweet finish.

Image: Unsplash

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