Ever since we arrived in Cape Town, my fiancé and I have been on a dedicated mission: to unearth truly tolerable, if not exceptional, pizza. Our relationship with pizza is, to put it mildly, inappropriate – it’s a deep, abiding love that cannot go unfulfilled for too long. Sadly, our initial forays into local delivery options proved truly disappointing. The search, however, led us to a pleasant surprise this week after a glorious afternoon spent soaking up the sun and scenery at Camps Bay. We ventured to Col’Cacchio Pizzeria, and it was, by all accounts, quite good. While it leaned a little more “fancy” than the classic, greasy, topping-loaded pepperoni pizza my fiancé was yearning for, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I personally savored a fabulous 500-calorie pizza (yes, you read that right, and it was delicious!) topped with creamy feta, fresh spinach, vibrant peppers, and aromatic garlic cloves. It was a testament to how satisfying a lighter pizza can be without sacrificing flavor.

Despite Col’Cacchio’s success, there’s a certain primal craving for simple, classic pepperoni pizza that only a homemade version can truly satisfy. So, to finally quell our hankering for that familiar comfort, Monday evening will see me in the kitchen, rolling out dough and generously scattering toppings for our very own homemade pizza. This will allow us to customize it exactly to our liking, achieving that perfect balance of crispy crust, tangy sauce, and generous, melty cheese that we’ve missed so much. It’s the ideal way to kick off a week of delicious eating, blending the joy of cooking with the ultimate indulgence.

Tuesday: Hearty Beef Ragout with Fresh Spinach Tagliatelle

Tuesday’s dinner promises to be a comforting yet refined affair: a rich beef ragout. I’m still mentally fine-tuning the recipe to lighten it up and pack in even more essential vegetables, ensuring it’s both wholesome and incredibly flavorful. My vision involves using lean cuts of beef, slow-simmered to tender perfection in a robust tomato base infused with aromatic herbs and a medley of finely diced vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. I plan to significantly boost the vegetable content by incorporating extra mushrooms and perhaps even some zucchini or bell peppers, making it a truly nutrient-dense meal.

This savory ragout will be served alongside the most gorgeous spinach tagliatelle I’ve been admiring at our local grocery store. The vibrant green ribbons of pasta promise to add not only a beautiful visual contrast but also a fresh, earthy flavor that will complement the rich beef perfectly. There’s something inherently luxurious about fresh pasta, and I’m eager to pair it with a sauce that has been lovingly developed to be both satisfying and health-conscious. This dish embodies our philosophy here in Cape Town: enjoying hearty, traditional flavors while embracing opportunities to make them lighter and more vibrant. Keep an eye out for the full recipe – it’s definitely one worth sharing!

Wednesday: Lightened Boerwoers and Beer Cheddar Chowder

Wednesday brings a dish close to my heart, but with a unique South African twist: a boerewors (sausage) and beer cheddar chowder. Chowder has always been a serious weakness of mine, a true comfort food. I have such fond memories of my mom and I frequenting a cozy restaurant near the salon where she’d often take me to get our nails done. It would literally make my day when I saw their seafood chowder on the specials board. That creamy, savory warmth was always a highlight.

This week, I’m thrilled to recreate that feeling of comfort, but with a lighter, healthier approach and incorporating wonderful local ingredients. Instead of heavy cream, which is typically found in traditional chowders, I’m going to use nutrient-dense cauliflower as a superfood substitute. When cooked and blended, cauliflower provides an incredible creaminess and body to the chowder without the added fat, making it a guilt-free indulgence. The star of the show will be boerewors, a traditional South African sausage known for its distinctive blend of spices and rich flavor. Integrating boerewors will infuse the chowder with a unique, savory depth, elevating it beyond a standard recipe. Combined with a hint of beer for a nuanced flavor profile and sharp cheddar for that classic chowder taste, this lighter version promises to be both familiar and exciting, a perfect fusion of my cherished memories and Cape Town’s vibrant culinary scene. I can’t wait to share how delicious and satisfying a lightened-up, locally inspired chowder can be!

Thursday: Quick and Flavorful Veggie-Packed Chicken Stir-Fry

By Thursday, even with our previous meals being lightened versions of their original selves, we’re going to be craving something fresh, incredibly quick, and bursting with vibrant flavors. Our solution? A fantastic veggie-packed chicken stir-fry. While I haven’t finalized every single detail of the stir-fry yet – the beauty of a stir-fry is its flexibility – I know one essential component that will make it extraordinary: Melissa Joulwan’s Best Stir-Fry Sauce from her “Well Fed” cookbook series. I am an enormous admirer of Melissa’s recipes; her approach to healthy, flavorful cooking is truly inspiring, and her sauces are always a standout.

This stir-fry will be a celebration of fresh produce, incorporating whatever seasonal vegetables look best at the market. I envision a colorful medley of crisp broccoli florets, sweet bell peppers in various hues, crunchy snow peas, earthy mushrooms, and perhaps some water chestnuts for added texture. Lean chicken breast will be sliced thinly and quickly cooked, ensuring it remains tender. The magic truly happens with Melissa’s sauce, which is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami, requiring minimal effort to transform simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. It’s the ideal weeknight meal: fast, incredibly healthy, and unbelievably delicious, providing a perfect reset before the weekend’s celebrations. The versatility of a stir-fry means we can always adapt it to our mood and what’s available, making it a constant favorite in our kitchen.

Friday: A Birthday Celebration on Long Street

Friday is a very special day indeed: it’s my fiancé’s birthday! I absolutely adore birthdays, and his, in particular, holds a cherished spot. I still fondly recall his seventeenth birthday. He presented me with a unique challenge: I wasn’t allowed to spend any money on his gift. Accepting this challenge wasn’t too difficult, especially considering I was only sixteen myself and my income was limited to babysitting money. Undeterred, I decided to get creative. I reached out via email to our favorite band at the time, The Decemberists (a band we’ve since had the pleasure of seeing live at least three times). I explained the “no spending challenge” and humbly asked if they might consider sending a signed poster for my boyfriend’s birthday. Oh, how I wish I could recapture that innocent lack of cynicism that characterized my younger self! And, true to their incredibly good-natured reputation, they did indeed send a poster, personally signed by every member of the band, and even covered the shipping costs. I truly believe I rose to that challenge exceptionally well, and it speaks volumes about The Decemberists, who are comprised of some of the kindest people alive.

Anyway, this Friday is all about celebrating! Dining out in Cape Town often requires foresight, as reservations are a must for most popular establishments. I’ve successfully secured a table at what is widely considered the restaurant boasting the best burgers in Cape Town: Royale Eatery, located on the famously vibrant Long Street. The anticipation for those legendary burgers is palpable! Before our dinner reservation, we plan to immerse ourselves in the lively atmosphere of Long Street and visit Beerhouse. With its extensive and impressive selection, Beerhouse offers a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide array of craft beers, both local and international, and truly soak in the city’s dynamic nightlife. It’s going to be a perfect evening of culinary delights, great company, and celebratory spirits.

As we wrap up our detailed weekly meal plan, I’m curious to know: do you have your meals planned for the week ahead yet? It’s always inspiring to hear what others are cooking and exploring in their own kitchens!