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Love makes the world go around, it gives us happiness and hope, and as Bad Bunny showed us all at the weekend, that is in no way restricted to romantic love. February 14 is the annual day of love. We need it all year round, but we also need all the love we can get. So letās seize the day and celebrate our loved onesāour lovers and our Galentines, or anyone else you feel could do with a cuddle. Food is a love language we all understand, and making food for your beloveds is a special thing to do, a special thing to share.
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We have a generous selection of Easy Edible Gifts for Your Valentineāfind Financiers with Strawberries, Devilās Food Doughnuts, and lots more good things that are sure to please.
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Of course, letās not forget chocolate. Giving chocolate has long been a Valentineās tradition, it speaks of luxury, of indulgence, and all things sensualāas explored in our feature by chocolate expert Cat Black: Be My Chocolate-y Valentine. Find her musings on why chocolate is the food of love, and also a host of chocolate recipes from across ckbk. Or look at Catās collection of chocolate recipeĀ recommendations here. Ā
Whoever you are loving, and whatever you want to make for them, have a love-filled Valentineās Day.
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Pictured above:Ā Rose Red Velvet Cake from Rose's Heavenly Cakes by Rose Levy Beranbaum
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Happy Lunar New Year to all!
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On February 17, Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 with Dumplings, Noodles and Moreā¦ In our new feature, cookbook author and culinary educator Judi Rose looks at the dishes which make up a proper celebration feast for Lunar New Yearāthe stories behind them, and the recipes you need to try them.
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Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar, and this coming year heralds the Year of the Fire Horse. Celebrated across many Asian countries, including China, Japan, Thailand and Taiwan, the festivities include fireworks, dancing dragons, and traditional recipes.
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As Judi writes in her article, each of these foods has particular meaningāsuch as the Whole Steamed Fish for abundance. She talks us through the pleasures and importance of preparing and sharing these dishes with loved ones.
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Consuming Passions: Mustard Oil
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āMustard oil is to Bangladeshi food what olive oil is to Italian food. As a person of Bangladeshi origin it is almost unthinkable not to include mustard oil in my cooking repertoire and belongs to the far end of the spectrum of cooking oilsāintense and bold in flavour, it has a high smoking point and also features heavily in the regional Indian cooking of South India, Punjab, and West Bengal.ā Dina Begum
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British-Bangladeshi food writer Dina Begum has extensive experience across print and broadcast media, and in her booksāsuch as her Brick Lane Cookbookāchampioning the particular recipes, ingredients and traditions that make up Bangladeshi cuisine. For her new feature article on ckbk she has chosen to highlight the central role of mustard oil in Bangladeshi cooking.
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While mustard is used in all its form in this cuisine, it is the oil that she considers of key importance. Informing us about how the oil is made, and addressing the controversy that has it labelled āfor external use onlyā in the UK and US, she also shows us its charms and how best to cook with it.
Whether using the raw cold pressed oilāsuch as in this Cucumber Salad with Hot Spiced Mustard Dressingāor for cooking and fryingātry this recipe for Mustard Oil Fried FishāDina demystifies mustard oil, and tells us why it is just the peppery boost our cooking needs.
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Many common flowers have culinary use, with the origins of this likely being at the intersection of confectionary, pharmacy and perfumeryāflowers were used historically for supposed medicinal benefits, and to sweeten the breath. The most commonly used edible flower is the rose, made into waters, vinegars and jams, the petals are also crystallized, conserved, or scattered fresh or dried.
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While all floral notes need careful balance, to avoid tipping into perfume or soap territory, with its delicate, floral sweetness, rose is perhaps the most well integrated into both sweet and savory dishes. Rose adds a touch of luxury and romance to confections such as Turkish Delight, or to flavor a Marshmallow recipe.
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6 of the best recipes for Pancake Day
Shrove Tuesday falls this year on February 17, and is traditionally the day to feast ahead of the 40 days of Lent. Pancakes are the order of the day, so here are a few pancake and pancake-adjacent suggestions.
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from Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit by Abra Berens
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from Mark Hix on Baking by Mark Hix
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from But I Could Never Go Vegan! by Kristy Turner
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from Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood by Carolyn Hemming and Patricia Green
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from Breakfast for Dinner by Lindsay Landis and Taylor Hackbarth
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from Williams Sonoma Breakfast & Brunch: 100+ Favorite Recipes to Nourish and Share by Williams Sonoma
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