Is it just me or has Autumn alluded us this year? It feels like we skipped from a mild summer directly into winter with barely enough time to bask in the soft light and amber hues. It’s my favourite season so I’m pretending it's still here before I embrace the damp and the cold of a Cape Winter. I’m loving being in the Winelands and seeing the vineyards change colour.
If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed I’ve been sharing a few healthy recipes of late. This is not to say I have abandoned desserts, baking and cheesy carbs, but my focus has shifted in my real life and I’m wanting to share all the interesting things I find along the way. My aim is to pack as much flavour and protein into the dishes I create as possible, whilst finding balance and enjoying life.
The world of nutrition has evolved so much in the last few years and there is a plethora of science on hand to help guide us in the right direction. I have been deeply immersed in this universe over the last 6 months and loving the journey.
This is not to say it’s been easy. Changing habits is hard, so drop me a comment if you are interested in these healthier recipes. I have received such amazing feedback on Instagram.
What I’ve been cooking
The best morning glory muffins
These are my new favourite muffins with so many delicious and nutritious ingredients crammed into them. From fresh and dried fruit (apple, banana, raisins) to carrots, seeds, whole wheat flour, nuts and spices. These are perfect on-the-go breakfast snacks or lunchbox fillers. They freeze very well too.
Vietnamese rice noodle salad with grilled chicken
I’m not kidding when I tell you I ate this on the trot for 5 days due to testing, re-testing and shooting. The chicken marinates in lemongrass overnight to deliver amazing flavour, but you could make this salad with store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. The nuoc cham dressing is fat-free and so vibrant and flavourful.
Easy & healthy high-protein cottage cheese waffles
Cottage cheese must have hired the best PR firm because it’s the biggest trending ingredient right now and it’s having a fine old time in the spotlight. Especially on Tik Tok where you will find it whipped into silkiness, blended into ‘ice cream’ and topping toast in the most interesting ways.
Luckily I love it so have been playing around with various recipes. It’s a great ingredient to add a protein boost without the calories. I wanted to make a healthy savoury waffle recipe and after much testing, I came up with my high protein, low carb and gluten-free waffle recipe. This can serve as a bread replacement too. The cheesy crust makes them extra crispy but this is optional (I used reduced-fat mozzarella which worked well). Top with any breakfast or lunch things of your choice and more protein to really get your quota up.
A Coronation tea
If you are planning on watching the Coronation this Saturday with a good cup of tea, these are a few of my best recipes to enjoy with that. They will all work equally as well for a Mother’s Day tea.
A brunch is a great idea for Mother’s Day, and here are a load of recipe ideas for that.
The best South African Crunchies
In case you are new, my grandmother Betty’srecipe for South African crunchies is really the best recipe there is and the only one you will ever need.
These fool-proof raisin scones are very tall and fluffy and one of my absolute favourites. I share a few other delicious scone recipes in that post.
You don’t get more British than a Victorian sponge cake and I triple-tested this recipe to make sure it was perfect. I share all my tips and tricks for making this delicious cake.
This is one of my favourite short bread recipes that is all made in a stand mixer and the dough is piped into small melt-in-the-mouth cookies. This is a good one to make with kids so that can decorate however they like. Perfect with a cuppa.
Or pick one of my best cake recipes.
For something savoury but still a little British try my pork pies with apple and sage (so good). They can be made into smaller sausage rolls.
I have a post which rounds up my favourite Autumn recipes. It’s a celebration of seasonal plums (a torte, a tatin, muffins, and a galette), apples, pears, oranges, lemons, quince, aubergines, sweet potatoes and pomegranates.
Baked Camembert with caramelised apples and thyme
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Sam x
YUM!