My Top 12 Recipes for 2024
and a perfect caprese salad
Someone once described Substack as the internet's secret coffee shop, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s a space with great vibes and a sense of calm—free from the chaos of algorithms pushing unwanted content our way. Instead, it’s a quiet, ad-free refuge where you can connect with someone’s thoughts through their words. I love it here. It takes me back to the early days of blogging when I’d eagerly hop online to chat about a new recipe I’d made or share my excitement over a particular ingredient.
For those of you who might be new, I’ve been publishing recipes online for 14 years. Drizzleanddip.com is my main home, but I enjoy sharing across multiple platforms and exploring various types of media. I started as a food stylist, then became a food photographer, and now I’m also a videographer. Somewhere along the way, I became a writer too. I’ve taught myself the technical ins and outs of running a digital business and love that there’s always something new to learn in this ever-changing space.
Thank you for being here. I’m looking forward to another year filled with delicious recipes and creative projects.
Since returning from France on the 1st of December—and navigating the heartbreak of a deeply sad end to my relationship—I’ve craved little more than the comfort of being around my closest people. Long walks, swims, deep sleep, and extended solitude have brought me a sense of peace, and now I feel ready to begin my work year. These words from Pamela Anderson resonated with me.
A perfect lunch
A visit to the Oranjezicht Market always fills my food-loving heart, and I was reminded yet again that starting with perfect produce is all it takes to create a perfect lunch. With tomatoes at their peak in the second half of summer, I had two heirlooms ripening for over a week and added a green one from the market for extra colour. I picked up a ball of Fior di Latte mozzarella from Puglia Cheese, some fresh basil, and a little focaccia from Woodstock Bakery.
All that was left was to slice everything, arrange it on a plate, and drizzle it with good olive oil. I’m still swooning over De Rustica Coratina—it has just the right balance of pepperiness—and I drenched my salad in it. A splash of Edmond Fallot Vinaigre de Vin de Xérès added the perfect acidity, and a sprinkle of fleur de sel from Provence was all it needed to become the ultimate summer lunch.
While at the market I picked up a bunch of lychees from Durban. They are organic, unsprayed and quite the most delicious lychees I have ever tasted. With tiny pips, they are worth their rather hefty price tag of R150 per bunch.
Happy 2025 to you all. May it be one in which we all thrive and of course eat delicious food.
Every year I round up my favourite recipes from the previous year and these are my top 12 recipes for 2024. It's hard to narrow them down because I like them all, but these are the ones I will want to make on repeat.
Buttermilk rusks in an Air Fryer
I perfected my buttermilk rusks and cracked the code on how to give them the distinctive ‘Ouma Rusk’ flavour that South Africans know and love. For the oven version, check out my classic South African Buttermilk rusks.
Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake
I simply love ham & cheese croissants so turning them into a breakfast casserole that works just as well for brunch, lunch or supper was marvellous. I loved how fluffy and delicious this was. I would probably leave off the leek layer going forward to make it easier.
The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding
I adapted the best malva pudding I know and turned it into the best chocolate malva pudding. This is hands down one of the best desserts I have ever made.
Pan-seared, Butter-Basted Ribeye Steak
I used the best quality aged ribeye to make this recipe on a stovetop and in a pan. The herb and garlic-infused butter gives the meat incredible flavour. The delicious umami-laden café de Paris-style butter poured over the cooked steak takes it to another level.
Roast Smashed Potatoes With Brown Butter Sage
I wanted a very delicious potato dish to pair with the steak and these roasted smashed potatoes with brown butter sage were perfect.
To see all my top 12 recipes for 2024 click HERE
If you want to check out my best recipes from previous years, which are still my favourite and delicious, you can find them here:
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Since we are in the middle of summer you can check out a few of my favourite summer recipes which I keep updated.
I haven’t found the energy to edit my camera photos from France or post more about the beautiful corners I discovered and the incredible food I ate. I’ll get to it slowly because I would love to share my favourite places. Despite being bittersweet, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I’ll always cherish.
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Sam x