August 24
I'm dreaming of summer & a few exciting recipes coming up
Hello friends and welcome back!
It’s hard to believe that August is already here! The thought of getting closer to summer fills me with joy. As someone who usually loves winter, I never expected to long for warmer days. I'm even fantasising about a gentle heat wave. I can’t wait to start swimming regularly again and having the sun brighten my studio for photo shoots. After a long, wet, dark, and freezing July, I’m ready for the change.
My last newsletter was all about healthy breakfasts and baked oats in case you missed it.
Recent Recipes
I made a raisin and seed rendition of my favourite buttermilk bran rusks. They are lower in sugar and I can’t stop nibbling away at them.
I made a broccoli and Cheddar soup of my dreams. Pure winter comfort in a bowl.
This chipotle chicken burrito bowl with avocado and lime crema is a healthy, quick and easy weeknight staple. If you take one thing away from this, let it be how utterly delicious and silky avocado and yoghurt are together in a dressing.
Where I have been eating
I loved a casual small plate dinner at Publik Winebar recently with the young chef duo Rabbit. Khira du Rand and Khulani Mnguni are both chefs with extensive experience in Cape Town’s top fine-dining restaurants and are the ones to watch. It’s so inspiring to see young chef talent getting out there and doing exciting things. The 4 dishes were all delicious but the mussel butter flatbread with West Coast mussels, mango atchar, red onion and herb salad with parmesan will linger for a long time to come. Follow them on Instagram to see where they will pop up next. Run!
Launches
A New Experience by Babylonstoren
Soetmelksvlei – Celebrating the Artisan Spirit of a 19th-Century Farmyard
Farm life in the late 19th century required creativity and self-sufficiency, and Soetmelksvlei pays homage to this era's artisan legacy. Visitors are invited to engage with master craftspeople as they carry out their daily tasks, offering a glimpse into life before the 20th century through the meticulously recreated interiors of the Farmhouse and Old Cellar. This is a living, working museum and they have done it so well.
Visitors can enjoy refreshments at the Old Stables Restaurant, and explore the Jonkershuis Farm Shop for charming old-world keepsakes. The Old Cellar features an indoor playhouse for children, and visitors can meet the farm's adorable animals, like sheep, cows, and miniature donkeys in the Kraal.
Allow yourself plenty of time to experience all that Soetmelksvlei has to offer. Wander around the farms werf, explore all the buildings and make sure you don’t miss the watermill where wheat is ground using ancient methods.
I was invited to visit and experience Soetmelksvlei recently and enjoyed a delicious ‘Harvest Table’ lunch in the Old Stables Restaurant. It included fresh fruit and salads from the farm, cheeses, preserves, breads, and a hot meat dish of the day. I will be posting a reel on my Instagram over the weekend.
Soetmelksvlei is open Thursday to Sunday in winter and daily in summer. Shuttles (aka game viewing vehicles) depart Babylonstoren at 30-minute intervals, with an entrance fee of R300 per adult (including annual Babylonstoren membership), R200 with a valid membership, R100 for children aged 4-17, and free entry for children aged 3 and younger when seated on an adult’s lap during the shuttle ride.
Amanda-Jayne is a Cape Town-based natural fragrance brand. They have just launched their new scent called Wild Orchard. Inspired by Amanda’s love of cooking it has notes of lemon verbena, bergamot and patchouli and it’s delicious. I have been spritzing my home and loving the smell. These make exceptional gifts for yourself or a friend. They are running a launch special of 20% off until Saturday.
I was sent a sample to try along with a hamper of local artisan products.
Wine Time
The lovely Wine Concepts are hosting their annual Seductive Sauvignon Festival on 15th August at Moyo Restaurant at Kirstenbosch. A great opportunity to taste some of our finest Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernet Sauvignons.
Details & tickets here
New recipes coming up…..
I have been working very hard on developing the ultimate classic buttermilk rusk recipe. Trying to find one that tastes like my childhood memories of Ouma’s rusks but home-made. Food nostalgia is a powerful thing and I think I cracked the code. I will be launching that in the coming weeks so be sure to keep a lookout.
I will be sharing my rendition of the viral air-fried tortilla quiche. Mine is loaded with vegetables and protein, making it my perfect lunch. I make this every week now, and just filmed a reel.
I also have two baked recipes made in a brand new Air Fryer about to be launched, which I can’t wait to share.
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Sam x