October

Spring has sprung

Oct 05, 2021

As much as I hate summer, I do love the green shoots of optimism that spring seems to usher in. The bitterly cold and rainy days are over and being able to pad around the house without socks on is a treat. I love the first appearance of stone fruit on shelves and immediately start thinking of leaner, more vibrant dishes to make and eat. Having just launched my hugely indulgent and most delicious eBook ‘comfort’ I'm ready to lighten the load.

You can take a look at what my eBook is all about here and I really hope you buy your own copy. These recipes are timeless and some are my best-ofs. By supporting me you help support my business create new and free recipe content.

BUY MY BOOK

Exquisite dinner at Fyn

I recently had the most delicious and mesmerizing dinging expereince at Fyn. They won a spot in the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants 50 - 100 list which is a huge accolade and feather in the cap for South Africa. You can take a look at the menu and all my pics from the evening here.

Ember opens in Stellenbosch

I was recently invited to dine at Ember, an exciting new restaurant in the center of Stellenbosch headed up by Michael Broughton. The menu is inspired by cooking over fire with a pared-down offering that aims to hit perfection through simplicity and cooking technique. The flavours derived from cooking over coals are used as ingredients across all the savoury dishes on the menu which I found to be totally delicious. You can read all about it here along with all my pictures.

The Cap Classique challenge

The winners of the annual Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge were announced at a sparkling lunch at Tintswalo Atlantic. It’s always special to attend this event and taste some of the best bubblies this country has to offer.

Stellenbosch winery Kleine Zalze, one of the most commercially successful and award-winning Cape cellars, won the award for Best Producer. The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary is the country’s foremost wine competition exclusively committed to honouring Cap Classique wines. In a record line-up of 135 entries, the Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut MCC 2015 achieved the top score, winning the category for Best Brut Cap Classiques as well as the award for Best Producer at this year’s competition.

The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge Trophy for Best Blanc de Blancs wine went to Mariëtte Chardonnay Blanc de Blanc from Stofberg Family Vineyards in the Breedekloof Wine Valley. Graham Beck Wines from Robertson won two trophies: Best Rosé for Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 and Best Nectar (demi-sec) for Graham Beck Bliss Nectar Rosé (non-vintage).

The trophy for Best Museum Class Cap Classique, awarded to a wine from a vintage of eight years or older, was won by Boschendal Wines for the Boschendal Jean le Long Prestige Cuvée 2009.

You can find the full list of winners here.

Tokara launches their 2021 extra olive oil range

I was once again thrilled to attend the launch of the Tokara 20221 Extra virgin Olive oil and taste the latest vintage. I’m a gigantic fan of this olive oil especially the unfiltered EVOO that redefines the meaning of untouched. I always have a vat of it in my kitchen. This multi-varietal blend is available on tap at the Deli. TOKARA Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil and their Estate Blend available (exclusively at Woolworths) were both awarded gold medals while the rest of the range earned silver at the recent SA Olive Oil Awards.

You can find the full list of winners here.

In season now

Click on the links below for seasonal recipe ideas

Sweetcorn - Esquites (a delicious mexican salad), Sweetcorn & cheese phyllo pies, Spinach & corn scrambled eggs with Parmesan, Quesadillas with corn & red pepper relish.

Nectarines (first of the season) - Pizza bianco with prosciutto, nectarines, thyme & honey.

Beetroot - All my betroot recipes

Mushrooms - Creamy chicken & mushrooms

Lemons - My version of Jamie Oliver’s low fat caesars dressing which I make all the time.

Recent recipes on my blog

Traditional South African Applet tart (cake) with raisins - This easy nostalgic confection can be whipped up in minutes and perfect as a dessert or with tea.