Hong Kong, July 4 -- Because the way to the heart is so often through the stomach, we suggest a gesture that goes beyond paper hearts and roses: Prepare a meal for or with your beloved, which recognises your idiosyncrasies, your shared or diverse roots, histories and hopes. For inspiration, we have seven best cookbooks for a dinner date that feature nostalgia and novelty, cross-cultural marriages made in the oven (or over a stove), fresh, and ready to serve.

These seven chefs (or teams of) cooked their hearts out for recipes bursting with the excitement of a new love, seasoned with nostalgia. We suggest a serving of the same for a memorable evening. 'Asma's Indian Kitchen' by Asma Khan, Pavilion Books

Serves: The big fat friendship bash...