Return to the Old Biscuit Mill

I really needed to get out of the house this weekend so I decided on lugging the family off to the Neighbourhood Goods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill on Saturday morning. I think my choice of day had a little 'to be desired'. This was the weekend that Table Bay Boulevard was closed to traffic (for road works) AND this was the weekend with the Theodore Roosevelt docked in Table Bay. Just imagine the N1...
After sitting the traffic for quite some time, we managed to get to the Market in Salt River. Parking was once more nightmarish but I managed to park about 3 blocks down.
This market was just too full for words. It seems everyone but the Pope pitched... it was a beautiful day, I might add. Well, we cruised around, testing and tasting. I found the most divine Bree Cheese, infused with Mushroom (R30). I also stocked up on Greek Pesto (R25) as well as Mel's favourite Red Pepper Pesto (R25). I also bought an amazing loaf of bread for R20 and decided to buy the fancy carrier bag too... this R10 is donated to charity. Celine then wanted one of the huge pancakes with Cinnamon and Sugar, with a splash of lemon syrup (R20). You guessed it... the syrup ended up on the front of dad's T-Shirt - bloody inconsiderate market goers!
Mel and I then started looking around for something to nibble on and found a really busy table with two ladies working frantically, making really good looking, healthy rolls!
These two ladies have hit on a money spinning formula. Mel and I each had a roll with Chicken, Basil Pesto, Red Pepper Pesto, Mayo, Pecorini (Cheese), Tomato and Leaves (Greens). R30 each! They must be making a fortune...
But man... was it GOOD! Finger licking good!
A great day was had by all...

Mid-Week Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognaise

So yesterday, my colleague (Girlpants) comes over and tells me he needs to make dinner for a friend (Mmmmm!) but wants something quick and easy as he is not culinary proficient... Turns out, I made the same thing for Mel and Leen before popping out to Boyz Night. The feedback was great!!!

Ingredients:
1x Pack on Minced Meat
1x Medium Onion (finely chopped)
1t Crushed Garlic
½ t Salt
1x Tomato Paste (larger tin)
2 cups Hot / Boiling Water
2-3 heaped teaspoons of Brown Sugar
Squirt of Tomato Sauce
1t Sweet Basil (Robertson’s Spice)
½ pack of Spaghetti
Splash of Olive Oil

Method for Mince:
1. Heat a splash of oil in a saucepan
2. Add the onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes)
3. Add the mince and brown for a while (about 10 minutes), adding salt & garlic.
4. While the mince is browning, in another container: add the tomato paste, sugar, basil & tomato sauce into the water and stir / mix.
5. Add to the browned mince and bring to boil.
6. Turn the heat down and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

Method for Spaghetti:
1. Bring a pot of water to the boil – Add salt to the water.
2. Add pasta and cook for around 10-15 minutes, depending on your preference.
3. Drain in a colander.

Add the cooked spaghetti into the mince mixture, stir in and serve. You could easily add some courgettes (zucchini) or mushrooms for colour.

I would serve with a Cabernet Sauvignon (my favourite).

Mid-Week Dinner: Celebration!

On the eve of me starting my new job at Coronation, I decided to cook up a storm. The plan was to serve a starter of Butternut Soup, a main of Spinach & Feta stuffed Chicken Breasts served with homemade pasta and dessert, a simple Strawberries & whipped cream. The only thing I did not have time for was making the pasta so I had to settle for the store-bought variety. I don't have the time this morning to do all the recipes in today's blog entry so I am going to share my butternut soup recipe with you.


Ingredients:
2x Medium Butternuts (cut into 2cm cubes)
1x Granny Smith Apple (peeled, cored & cubed)
2x Large Onions (roughly chopped)
4T Butter
4T Cake Flour
1.5t Curry Powder
1.5t Salt
3 Cups of Boiling Water
2 Cups of Milk
2x Chicken Stock

Method:
1. Melt the Butter in a large pot.
2. Add the Onions and saute until translucent (5min).
3. Add Curry powder, stir in and cook for another 2 min.
4. Add the Butternut & Apple and saute for a further 8 minutes, stirring now and again.
5. Add the flour and saute for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot.
6. Dissolve the Chicken Stock into the Water and add to the soup mixture.
7. Add the Milk, bringing it up to a simmer.
8. Simmer for around 20 to 30 minutes, until the Butternut is soft.
9. Remove from heat and blitz with a Thunderstick (much less fuss than using a blender).

Serve with a swirl of cream...

Wish me luck for my first day at Coronation!

Weekend Breakfast: Cinnamon French Toast

School holidays are here... Yay! I am lucky in that I can spend Monday and Tuesday with my daughter - I finished up with EDS on Friday and start my new job with Coronation on Wednesday, 1 October.

To celebrate, I made her French Toast for breakfast.

Ingredients:

1x Large Egg

125ml Milk

2t Brown Sugar

1/2t Cinnamon

2 or 3 thick slices of bread

1 or 2 knobs of butter

Method:

1. Add the egg, milk, sugar and cinnamon in a mixing bowl and beat with a fork, until properly mixed.

2. Soak the bread in this mixture for a minute or two.

3. Melt a knob of butter in a saucepan.

3. Fry in bread on medium heat, turning when golden brown.

Plate and drizzle with traditional maple syrup.
Yummy!

Cooking with Gas!

Today, I took the plunge and finally bought my gas hob. For the past few months, I have been cooking on a portable gas burner (usually used for camping). Before that, I cooked on my non-gas Ariston hob.

I did a little shopping around this morning and finally ended up at Tafelberg Furnishers in Durban Road, Bellville. I was assisted by a very knowledgeable salesman named Christopher. I had trouble deciding between the Defy and the Eurogas and eventually went with the Defy DHG113 (R3119).

Then, off to Blue Flame Gas and Hardware Distributors on Voortrekker Road. After a quick phone call to my handyman friend Keith, I walked out with a 9kg gas cylinder, 2m of hose, 2 clamps and a regulator (R528).

It took me about an hour and a half to install my new kit and it is wonderful! I can't wait to cook something!

So... after reading this, you are ALL going to pop out and upgrade to gas, right? Well, I realise that not all of you are as handy as I am (LMAO) so here's where I plug my buddy's handyman business. Keith is brilliant at everything he does and his rates don't break the bank! I have used him for roofing, waterproofing and installing my electric gate motor. I am very impressed - you too will be!

Keith Arntsen
0834616533

Mid-Week Dinner: Baked Bluenose & Chips

I drive past Fish 4 Africa in Monte Vista every day, on my way to fetch my daughter at aftercare. Yesterday, I decided we were having baked fish for dinner - I had an incling! Fish 4 Africa is surprisingly reasonable and they have a variety of fresh fish available all the time... And they give good advice. I told one of the guys that I was looking for a good fish to bake, in foil, in the oven. He immediately recommended the Bluenose. I bought a 2kg fish for R95 and they cleaned and filleted it for me, no extra charge!

Ingredients:
1kg Filleted Bluenose (I made 2kgs - leftovers go on sarmies with mayo!)
2t Olive Oil
2t Crushed Garlic
2 Lemons, finely sliced
Foil, enough to 'parcel' the fish
1/2 Onion, finely sliced
1t cider vinegar, per fillet
Sprinkling of Chilli & Garlic Spice (Ina Paarman)
Sprinkling of Thyme (Robertsons)
Sprinkling of Salt & Black Pepper
Preheat the Oven to 200 deg C.
Method:
1. Lay the foil in a baking tray.
2. Coat with Olive Oil
3. Put half the sliced onion and lemon on the foil.
4. Place the fish on top
5. Season with spices (Salt, Pepper, Garlic & Chilli & Thyme)
6. Sprinkle a teaspoon of cider vinegar on each fillet.
7. Layer the remaining Onion and Lemons on top of the fish.
8. Bring the foil over and seal into a parcel.
9. Place in the oven and cook for 30 to 35 min. (my 2kg fish took around 45min). Best to check after the 25 min mark. If the fish flakes, it is done. Do not overcook.

Serve with oven baked chips. Simple, Wholesome, Lekker!

I would pair this with a light to medium bodied Rieslingor, something with a dry finish...

Mid-Week Dinner: Chop 'n Dop met Sous Boontjies

Boet, this ones for you: I'll bet you miss the true "Souf Efriken" braai now that you are in the land of Kiwis! I am told you are coming back to SA for a while in January... I trust we will get together and rekindle some old memories!

Well, last night I got home and sparked up the old Weber (yeah, yeah - that's not the true SA way! I know). Damn, you spotted that. I did a quick pork chop, some lamb & a few toasties. Whip out the old favourites: Beetroot Salad and 'Sous Boontjies) and you have a great midweek dinner... No mess, no fuss!

This week has once more been a burr of business and I have not had the opportunity to blog. Just to fill you in: On Monday, I made my famous Rosemary infused Tomato Bredie (stew) served on a bed of Basmati rice. On Tuesday, I oven baked Pork Schnitzels and served them on mash, with a side order of petit pois peas.

Definition of 'petit pois' - Very small green peas (as simple as that...)

I will post these recipes at a later stage.

Tonight is Boy's Night again... I missed last week as I was pooped after our dinner party on the Wednesday. I managed to get out of working tonight - one of my guys have agreed to work for me. Andrew, affectionately know as "girlpants" is a lifesaver! I need this midweek break... Thanks buddy!