EVEN though some people think it is cheesy and overrated, the allure of Valentine’s Day and love is irresistible. As a famous British novelist once said, “Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.”
We spoke to Melanie van Rooy, marketing director at Makro, who shared a few tips to help you sprinkle a whole lot of golden haze into your love life and make it your most perfect Valentine’s Day yet.
Van Rooy says: “Makro is a perfect destination for all your Valentine’s needs. As a retailer Makro continuously looks for ways to offer customers more value despite the tough economic climate. Personally, I would recommend a romantic stay-at-home dinner for two as it adds a personal touch. We offer everything from the widest range of food, wine, gifts and more.”
Nothing completes the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner like a scrumptious dessert. In keeping with Van Rooy’s recommendation, why not try this oven-poached pears in cream recipe:
Ingredients:
*2 pears (unpeeled, halved lengthwise and cored)
*2 tablespoons Clover Mooirivier butter softened.
*2 tablespoons granular sugar
*½ cup Clover fresh cream
Method:
• Butter a shallow 20cm X 20 cm baking dish with 1 tablespoon Clover Mooirivier butter and sprinkle bottom of dish with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Place pears in dish, cut side down. Dot with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Pour Clover fresh cream over pears and return to oven for 20 more minutes or until the pears are tender and the cream has reduced to a thick sauce.
• Serve on elegant plate, spooning the cream over. Garnish with a sprig of mint and toasted almonds.
We particularly love this dessert because it is decadently sweet. The ingredients are also all conveniently available at a Makro near you.
“Lastly, we know that the perfect Valentine’s Day is not complete without a gift, and you can choose from our relaxing hanging loungers to coffee machines and fitness watches. If these aren’t the ideal gifts for your loved one, we also offer customers a flower market at our Silver Lakes, Woodmead and Alberton stores,” adds Van Rooy.
The flower markets aim to offer an even more convenient customer offering at Makro’s stores. With a wide variety of the freshest flowers to choose from, customers can expect a selection of cut flowers, potted plants, bouquets and personalised table arrangement designs.
The flower markets operate along the same hours as the main store and are located at the store exits. They offer a wide range of flowers, from roses, orchids and tulips to pot plants and more. Whether it’s for Valentine’s, birthday, anniversary or baby shower, one can find flowers for every occasion.
Over and above offering flowers they also offer:
• Flower and table arrangements services at no additional cost
• The option to buy a ready-made bunch or make your own bouquet
• The ability to buy or bring your own vase
• A gift wrapping service at a cost of R5
• Cards to add your own heartfelt message
• Catering for events, corporates and the hospitality industry
With the roll-out of this fresh and exciting service to the majority of stores to be complete by end 2017, it is envisaged that Makro will become the leading retailer in flowers going forward.
Visit Makro this Valentine’s Day and it may just be the beginning of the most perfect Valentine’s Day yet.
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