FRESH FROM THE BLOG
From the Kitchen
Preparing food in my home has been my foremost passion. I thrive on reading and researching what is fresh, locally produced and delicious, designing a menu, preparing it and serving it in the most beautiful and appetizing way possible. The joy that I have in sharing beautiful and delicious food with our friends and family cannot always be expressed in words….. but, I will try to do so!
I will include what is new and on trend in both ingredients and equipment, and of course who is influencing and tantalizing my palate via books, blogs or restaurants. There is so much to share and write about.
Dining In & Out
Enjoying food prepared by others is part of our pleasurable indulgences! We are privileged to be surrounded by some of the best restaurants in South Africa, but we don’t only dine out at so-called fine dining establishments. I am always seeking the best we can find, be it a burger, fish and chips or a hearty curry. I am not an enthusiastic baker, but a cozy coffee shop with unusual pastries and delicious cakes attracts my attention.
This is not a forum for reviewing occasions or restaurants, but it is one for sharing new experiences, flavours, textures and environments that inspire.
Travel & Adventure
The joy of retirement is that we are able to often slip away to local places of interest for a few days. At least once a year we try to get away to an interesting international location. Gourmet tourism fascinates us. Our trips are carefully planned to explore the food and wine of the area. We also enjoy the environment and cultural experiences, and of course these factors often impact on the local cuisine.
I usually bring my travel taste experiences back home and they often impact on my cooking style.
Wine & Accessories
My husband Mark, and I share an interest in wine. We both have independently completed various Certificates and Diplomas in Wine and only recently reduced our wine book library to about 1600 books!
We belong to a number of wine tasting groups, where we have the opportunity to formally taste and explore many wines and styles. We regularly spend a few informal hours tasting what is new in the magnificent Cape Winelands. In addition to this, we always taste and study the wines wherever we travel. We even found a rather delicious Chenin Blanc in Thailand!
Here I will share some of these vineous adventures with you.
From the Garden
My inspiration in the kitchen often comes from the garden. I am motivated to start cooking when I harvest a bowl of freshly picked tomatoes or a handful of crisp spinach, herb or kale leaves, but more about that as the seasons progress.
The flower garden also impacts on our meals as I always stroll around the garden to see what is available before I plan my table setting. Other than on the roses, I do not use insecticides, so edible flowers are used.
I love visiting gardens on my travels. The formal gardens of Europe and the exotic Asian gardens fascinate me.
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Vitello Tonnato
When you visit Piedmont in Italy virtually every restaurant serves Vitello Tonnato. In summer it is a popular main course dish or it is served as an antipasto course. The view from this charming [...]
Sweet Chilli Jam or Sauce
I am a self-confessed chilli addict! I eat chilli in just about everything, yes, even chocolate and ice cream! At this time of year the plants start flourishing and it’s time to preserve some of [...]
Vegetable Frittata
A Frittata is a versatile Italian egg dish that I define as a cross between an omelette and a crust-less quiche. What appeals most is that it is very easy to prepare as a breakfast, [...]
Can you make a perfect soft boiled egg?
"She can’t even boil an egg!" We’ve all heard the remark, indicating that boiling an egg is easy peasy. Yes it is, if you are wanting a hard boiled egg, and even then it can [...]
Baked Eggs with Porcini Mushrooms
A seasonal treat Porcini mushrooms (boletus edulis) not easily cultivated so they are fairly rare. You seldom find them in supermarkets and usually in delis or farmer’s markets. The season is limited as they appear [...]
Octopus, a Mediterranean Speciality
I love octopus dishes and it’s one of those specialities that reminds me of delicious meals I have enjoyed on Mediterranean holidays. I have never eaten tough octopus despite its reputation of resembling shoe leather! [...]
Herenbone, the Cape’s Heirloom Bean
When a friend found Herenbone in local shops, I immediately said, please buy some for me! I have since found them at a number of country town delis. Look out for them up the West [...]
LATEST RECIPES
Vitello Tonnato
Vitello Tonnato Serves 10-12 as a starter portion For the meat you need About 1,2kg meat (veal or beef eye muscle of the silverside or 4-5 pork fillets) 2 white onions, sliced 2-3 cloves garlic, sliced 5ml peppercorns (mixed or black) 500ml white wine, I like using chenin blanc, but you can use any white [...]
Chilli Jam, or sauce
You need Equipment: food processor, heavy based stainless steel or enamel saucepan; gloves for handling the chillies The ingredients For 500ml (2 cups) of roughly chopped chillies you need Optional: About 250ml red pepper, roasted and peeled (you may cheat and use some from a can or bottle) 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled Optional: [...]