July
Back into lockdown
Just when I started to feel glimmers of normality and enjoyed getting out more often, the Delta variant ravishes our country and we need to go back into lockdown. I don’t know why we don’t just look at Europe and see this as a trailer for our future life because the writing was on the wall. It’s hard not to feel despondent by the seemingly endless misery that surrounds us, but just as we watched Europe get locked down before us, we now watch jealously as they start opening up again for summer. It will be our turn to do the same soon and we have to hold onto all the hope that our vaccine rollout speeds up.
My life prior to last Sunday’s announcement was busy but fun and I loved my visit to the Karoo and African Relish Cooking School in Prince Abert. This quaint and charming town stole a piece of my heart. I travelled on a few roads I had never been on which reminded me how spectacularly beautiful South Africa is. My great grandfather Thomas Bain built the Swartberg Pass and it was a longtime dream of mine to drive over it. Luckily with very few other cars on the road (it can be hair raising in parts). I was able to stop all the way up and down to totally absorb the jaw-droppingly beautiful nooks, crannies and vistas. You can read about my weekend at the school and guest cooking demo with a lovely bunch of people here.
A staycation at the Belmond Mount Nelson
I loved my recent stay at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel which was on my bucket list. They have a few amazing winter warmer dining specials as well as special rates for locals until the 24th of December. Now is the time to plan that treat staycation you have always dreamed of. See what it was all about here.
How to make the best martini
I promised you in last months newsletter that I would share a few tips on how to make the best martini. I have done a lot of research (aka drinking) to find a few answers on a classic rendition, but sadly I never got around to creating any variations. I have found what I think might be the best chocolate martini but that will have to wait for another day. You can find out a few of my thoughts on the subject here.
In season now: (winter) - click on links for recipe ideas
Citrus, guavas, bananas, broccoli, butternut, onions, beetroot, carrots, leeks, spinach, sweet potato
Recent recipes on my blog
Saagwala - a chicken & spinach curry (and an easy naan bread recipe)
Spiced date cake with cream cheese & honey frosting
This is a showstopper of note and delicious in an unforgettable way.
Cheese & herb muffins with whipped Bovril
Restaurant love
Restaurants need all the help we can give them right now as they tackle closure and a third alcohol ban. We can help by ordering takeaways as often as we can afford to. I simply do not know how many of them will get through this.
I had another delicious meal at Dahlia on Regent and Damion is doing deliveries all over Cape Town himself. His hand-pulled noodles are utterly delicious and I can highly recommend them. I love his restaurant space.
Products that I love
I worked with Peel’s honey on a project this month and absolutely adore their range of single nectar, raw and 100% pure honey. They are offering my readers a whopping 20% DISCOUNT on ALL their products on their website until 17 July. Use code DND20% on checkout.
Wine news
I was thrilled to have been invited to an incredible tasting at Kanonkop Estate with 3 vertical tastings of their Pinotage, Cabernet & Paul Sauer. The 2005 Cab was amongst the best reds I've ever tasted and their 2018 Black Label Pinotage extraordinary.
Rascallion Wines launched their top-tier Winemakers Collection at an elegant lunch at Welgemeend. The Winemakers Collection represents the pinnacle of what Rascallion wishes to achieve in winemaking. Named in homage to owner Ross Sleets’ Mother, Father, and Grandfather. All the wines are 4.5 stars in Platter and won various awards in the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2021.
Thank you for reading my monthly newsletter and please stay safe.
Sam xox