It’s been freezing and raining virtually nonstop for the last week, and as much as I love winter, I’m finding it all a bit much. Gloomy days mean insufficient natural light in my studio which got me frantically purchasing my first artificial light and softbox. A steep learning curve awaits as I navigate this new frontier. Watch this space!
Thanks for being here and if you are not yet a free subscriber to my monthly newsletter, let me help with that.
What I’ve been cooking
Roasted butternut and mascarpone pasta sauce with pan-fried mushrooms
I reshared one of my all-time favourite pasta sauce recipes as a vegetarian option. I love the toasted pumpkin seeds, butter-fried sage leaves and Parmesan as garnishes to make this the perfect wintery bowl of comfort. Adding bacon and crispy prosciutto as per my original recipe is a delicious variation too.
Instant Pot beef brisket ragu with pappardelle
I had a very pasta-heavy month of recipes which was not specifically planned it just happened to coincide with my client’s projects. I made my popular beef brisket ragu from 2021 in my Instant Pot and cut the cooking time in half. The Instant Pot is at its best turning tough cuts of meat into meltingly tender in a shorter time. I love to finish this off with a light grating of lemon zest, fresh parsley and of course lashings of Parm.
High protein tomato pasta sauce with chicken and spinach
This tomato pasta sauce gets a huge protein boost without ramping up the calories with the addition of cottage cheese. The ingredient de jour at the moment. Each serving has 487 calories and 41 grams of protein which is a win in my book. If you used regular egg pasta or wholewheat pasta it would go up a smidge. I love that pasta has protein in it and absolutely should be included in a calorie-restricted diet provided you watch your portion control. Aim for around half a cup per serving. Grilled chicken, spinach, loads of basil and a delicious tomato sauce pull it all together.
Healthy blueberry and banana protein smoothie
This is my new go-to smoothie recipe that packs a protein punch thanks to whey powder and yoghurt. Chia (or hemp) adds fibre as well as additional protein and I love this for when I’m in a hurry or need to pack a breakfast on the go. It is so delicious too. Finding the perfect protein powder is a challenge and I share a few tips on what to look for.
Recipes perfect for June (winter)
I round up a collection of my favourite winter comfort recipes including this beef and mushroom pie with ale.
This is my favourite apple crumble recipe which includes strawberries. I love the golden, crunchy almond-flecked topping, and this is best served with homemade creme Anglaise (recipe included) and or vanilla ice cream. This is the perfect ending for a long lazy wintery lunch.
This flavour-packed dish comes together in minutes making it the perfect weeknight supper. Marinate the meat in advance to maximise the flavour.
Where I’ve been eating
The culinary highlight of the year was dinner at Jan Franschhoek. Not even a freezing Cape storm could dampen the excitement of dining in the cutest little cottage in the middle of a lavender field on La Motte Estate. This historic building, the Veepos, was the location for Jans's most recent TV series ‘RSVP’. Your evening starts off with bubbly in the Manor house before being shuttled to the Veepos in a vintage VW Combi and the enchanting universe Jan has created there.
It’s a WOW from the minute you step into the cottage until you leave. Food is always going to be the most important component of any restaurant, but at Jan, the decor, the atmosphere, and the flow of the service help make it the magical experience that it is. The eight courses are served at a perfect cadence and are as delicious as they are nostalgic. Each dish tells a South African story that transports you from one memory to another. One long table seating sixteen people makes a convivial setting for a truly memorable evening. Jan Franschhoek reopens in September 2023 for the next summer season and you will want to get your booking in early to secure a spot. Bookings open on Dineplan on 1 August 2023.
Where I’ve been staying
Wild Olive House Bartholomeus Klip
I enjoyed the most fabulous weekend away with friends at Bartholomeus Klip. This is one of my all-time favourite places to stay and I got to experience The Wild Olive House for the first time. This self-catering heritage cottage looks out onto the Elandsberg Nature Reserve and is the perfect family getaway. Bartholomeus Klip catered one dinner and brunch for us which were a feast and a treat. Generous and delicious family-style meals prepared with the best farm ingredients. You can find all my pics from the weekend here and I share info about their amazing Wagyu.
Thank you for being here and for your likes, shares, and support. Please like or reply to this newsletter to make sure your free edition comes straight to your inbox.
Sam x