With the fast-paced nature of daily life, it is often challenging to find time to get together with loved ones over a meal.
Melrick Harrison from the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, believes that food is often a central part of a meaningful connection.
“There is an old saying that goes ‘The way to a man’s heart is through the stomach.’ The truth is that through time, connections with family, friends and new acquaintances have long been formed through sharing a hearty meal”.
“Some healthy families and friendships are that way because of the time spent dedicated to connecting with each other face to face.”
He added that enjoying good food, laughter, and meaningful conversations releases healthy hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine.
“It is safe to say that the way to everyone’s heart and happiness is through the stomach,” he believes.
Bringing back the tradition of Sunday lunch for family connection
Harrison stressed that food is an essential element for creating feelings of well-being, joy and ease with one another, particularly when it comes to connecting with the special people in our lives.
“We all spend more and more time on our phones, working or busy with our day to day lives, therefore purposefully cultivating moments of togetherness and shared enjoyment is so important.”
Keeping things traditional
Many families have a Sunday ritual where kids, grandchildren, parents and grandparents and even extended family meet at one person’s house and enjoy a meal together.
Harrison added that there is often a grown-ups table and a kids table and that usually, each year the same dishes are prepared by certain family members.
“In South Africa, many families' tradition is to either have a braai or to enjoy a Sunday roast dinner with all of the trimmings.”
He explained that so far in 2024, there has been widespread popularity over a diverse range of eating regimes like veganism and, for this reason, it has become increasingly important to include some dishes that do not contain animal products, into your meals.
“This is great for our individual health and gives everyone a chance to enjoy a delightful array of new and interesting dishes.”
He said that for vegan dishes, consider preparing oven-roasted brown mushrooms with lashings of coconut oil, garlic and fresh herbs and once cooked, sprinkling them with pine-nuts and vegan cheese.
Many retailers now sell vegan milks and cheeses and these can be used to prepare wintery oven-baked dishes like cauliflower cheese and desserts like milk tart, flan or cakes.
In addition, Sunday lunch dishes could include a roast leg of lamb, duck or full roast chicken. Harrison suggested adding sides like pap, a tomato smoortjie, roast vegetables, steamed butternut, sweetcorn or carrots.
An outing and atmospheric change
Across the country, various restaurants offer multiple course meals at diverse rates.
Harrison believes that the benefits of going out for a meal instead of cooking at home, means that there are no dishes or pots to clean and that the food is prepared by a trained chef.
“Best of all, are the options for multiple courses including starters, a main meal and dessert.
“To save yourself the trouble of preparing a meal and doing the dishes, look out for local specials or a three-course meal deal and make sure to make a booking beforehand.”
Don’t forget the beverages
Concocting delicious cocktails is a fun, creative process and a showstopper item at dinner parties.
Harrison advised starting with a capsule collection of a few key spirits to make the most popular drinks.
This includes tequila for margaritas, white rum for daiquiris and mojitos, bourbon for old fashioneds, gin for martinis and vodka for cosmopolitans.
“Add a few more versatile ingredients like vermouth, an orange liqueur and bitters, and you’ll be able to make a wide range of cocktails,” Harrison said.
He also suggested exotic liqueurs and craft gins or adding panache to your home bar with a stylish glass decanter.
“Add fynbos, fruit, or spices like cinnamon and clove to spirits to give them a lovely flavour.”
Happy hormone foods to add a special touch
To make Sunday Lunch extra special and to add to the effects of happy hormones being created through the stomach, Harrison recommended adding serotonin and dopamine inducing foods to your menu.
“These could include eggs, spinach, milk, pineapple, nuts and seeds. For an added dopamine boost foods like chocolate, green leafy vegetables, strawberries and poultry, should be on your menu.”