I’m just popping in here quickly to say hello and tell you about a few exciting things happening in Cape Town. I’ll send out my Christmas newsletter in two weeks with all my best festive recipes for the season and my foodie gift guide. Keep your eyes on my Instagram where delicious new recipes will roll out before I hang up my apron, put down my camera and go on holiday. I simply cannot wait.
The Timeout Market
The Timeout Market has opened in the V & A and is world-class. It’s part of the international franchise that sees markets in Lisbon, New York, Montreal, Boston, Chicago & Dublin. This is a BIG DEAL for us. I attended two launch events and got to sample a lot of what the market has to offer. You can order from various vendors and everyone can choose exactly what they want.
This will be an excellent way for tourists to sample Cape Town and South African flavours in one place along with local wines. The space will host live music, comedy and other entertainment and has ample seating which will never be over-full.
The food is served on crockery and will be cleared for you after you have finished. No more environmentally unfriendly take-out packaging cluttering up the place. Every vendor has something amazing to offer but I’m particularly excited about The Melting Pot’s seafood offering and De Vrije Burger now being available in Cape Town. Vusi Ndlovu brings Africa to the market with his fire cooking at Mlilo (he also owns Boma on Bree) and I hear only great things about his broccoli dish. Bakarat brings refined Cape Malay flavours and something unique.
New recipes
I made my best slow-roasted shoulder of lamb with harissa, garlic and rosemary. This is the best kind of recipe because it’s hands-off with the oven doing all the work. I leave it in there for four hours without so much as looking at it once. I serve it with homemade pita bread, salads and tzatziki. This is the perfect easy, festive meal to feed a crowd.
My best juicy roast chicken recipe
I made a reel of my favourite succulent and juicy roast chicken with white wine, herbs and garlic. It makes the most delicious pan jus to pour over the chicken. This one is a keeper.
One bowl easy cheese and sweetcorn bread
This is a classic South African favourite and comes together easily in one bowl. I add spring onions and herbs to ramp up the flavour. I like to use strong aged Cheese like Kerrygold here to enhance the cheese flavour. Served with lashings of butter of course.
I took bobotie and turned them into delicious phyllo pastry pies that are reminiscent of a samoosa. The pastry gets shattering crisp and is the perfect appetizer at a party dipped into your favourite chutney. They are so easy to bake and reheat in an Air Fryer.
I hosted a cherry-themed cooking class with Astrid from The Sweet Rebellion and it was a great success. Our attendees loved the hands-on cooking class and were able to take home the chocolate Swiss roll with cherry cream they made. Everyone enjoyed my easy duck pancakes with cherry sauce over a chilled glass of Delheim Pinotage Rosé. I’ve stocked up on this affordable and delicious wine for the summer and so should you. Shop here.
Remember to order your cherries directly from Cherry Time before this short season comes to an end soon. They deliver directly to your door.
You can find the recipe with the plum or the cherry sauce here. I prefer my updated cherry sauce now.
The Eat Out Awards
I attended the Eat Out Awards at Grand West recently where the top restaurants in South Africa get awarded on a star rating basis for excellence. It was a huge party that went into the night and was about celebrating the chefs of the country and their incredible hard work and creativity. La Colombe won Restaurant of the Year which was so well deserved. You can see who all the winners are here.
Wine Time
I have tasted so many amazing wines and attended a few incredible events around wine in the last while and these are the highlights.
The ABSA Champagne Festival in Joburg
I was lucky to be in Joburg last month to attend this incredible event. It’s on a whole other level. At this glitzy celebration, guests get to sample 36 champagnes throughout the night along with many other premium liquor brands. There is entertainment, delicious food, Rolls Royce cars on display and so much glamour. This event is not to be missed if you love champagne and here is a pic of me on cloud nine.
Diemersdal
I was invited to a really special tasting at Diemersdal in Durbanville last week. We were treated to tasting the the iconic Sauvignon Blanc vintages from the estate along with a few special International wines. The formal tasting which was so interesting was followed by a delicious seafood braai of Geelbek and Cape Salmon. The perfect pairing to Sauvignon Blanc. We were hosted by Thys and Ladine Louw in their exquisitely renovated Manor House on the farm. Diemersdal produces some of the best Sauvignon Blancs in South Africa.
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Sam x