De Krans unveils new release Muscat Nectar Alcohol-Free Sparkling De Krans Wines has expanded its Moscato range with the release of the Muscat Nectar Alcohol-Free Sparkling. This refreshing alcohol-free Muscat Nectar consists of 100% muscat grapes with a slight fizz added when bottled. The Muscat Nectar has lovely tropical fruit flavours with muscat tones and…
Spicy Beef Empanadas
Crumbly pastry filled with spicy beef; in a little handheld parcel ready for a picnic-dinner or midday lunch snacks. This is a project; make the dough and let it rest. Make the filling and let it rest. Once both components are ready, assemble the pastries and bake until golden in colour and crispy. These savoury…
Middelvlei Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
There is a slight chill in the air these days, and the days seem to be getting shorter as winter approaches. This time of the year we tend to opt for a robust red wine to keep the seasonal chills at bay, and Middelvlei’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is guaranteed to be a winter winner. Sourced…
Cupcakes from a box
Yeah, the novelty of baking and cooking from scratch is losing its appeal by now. I’ve resorted to box-baking. I am a huge fan of the classical “peppermint crisp tart” (cliche, I know). But I was looking for a way to incorporate this into some “lock-down baking”. I have a box of choc-mint cake mix,…
Home-made Chimichurri
Chimichurri is a loose oil-based condiment used to accompany barbecued meats or churrasco (the Portuguese and Hispanic name for beef or grilled meat). Finely chop your parsley before you start. I usually get a large handful, wash and finely chop, then measure. If you don’t have enough, grab a bit more, and chop again until…
Elgin CRUNCH! Pinot Noir 2019
Known for producing outstanding certified biodynamic and organic wines, Elgin Ridge Wines’ CRUNCH! Pinot Noir 2019 adds further endorsement to what the dynamic duo, Brian and Marion Smith are all about. Grounded humans and enlightened grapes equal honest wines. Made with whole bunch natural ferments (50%), the wine was left to age in concrete eggs…
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Midweek meals can be a challenge. We’ve whipped up some mini meatballs, cooked in a tomato sauce, serving them with a side salad and Hasselback Potatoes. These meatballs are cooked in the sauce, in the oven, for approximately 20 minutes. Leaving you enough time to throw together a quick dessert. MISE EN PLACE (preparation):…
Stirring things up with Nini Jerman
STIR! it UP is the brainchild of Stellenbosch-based Nini Jerman who two years ago embarked on a journey to develop a healthy alternative to those ready-made sauces that were loaded with ingredients which, she says, “read more like a science lab experiment than something I wanted to put into my children’s tummies.” After much experimenting…
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Comforting pillows of starch, drenched in a sage-butter sauce is enough to keep the winter at bay. Here’s another Meat Free Monday winner! MISE EN PLACE (preparation): Prepare all the ingredients prior to starting to cook. Measuring cups and spoons. Large mixing bowl. Steamer (alternatively bring a pan to a rolling boil and then place…
Lip-smacking Ginger Snaps
Longing for the smell of home-baked biscuits dunked in warm coffee as there is a crisp chill in the air? These simple Ginger biscuits are the perfect mix of sweet and spice to warm the crevices of your heart. Make a batch of these and I dare you to wait until they are completely cool…
South African Vetkoek
Balls of dough deep-fried until golden brown and puffed. Whether you prefer them savoury or sweet; everybody has a preference according to how they grew up. We filled our warm vetkoek with savoury mince and topped with cheese; all-in-one-meal. You only need a warm spot for the dough to do a double proving – we…
Hasselback beauts
Looking for an alternative side dish to your braai? Since lock-down the braai fires have been plentiful in our neighbourhood; smells of burning charcoal and wood followed by the charred meat make its way into our living room on “school nights”. The South-African norm of braai broodjies, potato salad and potato-bake as side dishes must…
Decadent Chocolate Mousse
Celebrate the end of another week in #lockdownSA with a devilishly decadent Chocolate Mousse. One of the most fickle chocolate creations is the Chocolate Mousse; will it be grainy, stiff, sloppy, rich or just a flop? There’s a plethora of chocolate mousse recipes out there, some of which you have to go to great lengths…
The Lock-down Shandy
The lock-down Shandy is a twist on the traditional Rock Shandy. With the lock-down making the procurement of alcohol very difficult, here’s a refreshing alternative, sit back and enjoy the last days of spring/summer at home. YOU WILL NEED: Large balloon glass / highball Ice cubes Ingredients Measuring cup and spoon INGREDIENTS: Ice (for mixing,…
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Stocking up the pantry with home-made snacks are easier now than ever. The smell of freshly-baked cookies will waft through the house and greet you like a warm hug. These cookies were produced by the batches back in the day. We would bake sheets and sheets of these cookies in the hotel to fill huge…
World Chaîne Day 2020
April 25, 2020 ” Be active and be creative, raising the spirits at this time is especially important “ Nobody would have believed in February that in April we are in the middle of the biggest tragedy of modern history. Everything has changed in few weeks! However World Chaîne Day can offer us a channel…
Raspberry Smoothie
During lock-down we need to boost our immune systems and the last few days left me feeling sluggish and drained. With a packet of potent Raspberry powder in the back of the cupboard, I’ve rustled up a refreshing, raspberry kick-in-your-face drink. MISE EN PLACE (preparation) You will need: Ice cubes Measuring spoons and cups A…
Tangled Tree raises eco-awareness with Earth Day creativity campaign
The Tangled Tree wine bottle has a carbon footprint that is 60% less than standard glass equivalents. This fact will be highlighted this April – the month in which Earth Day takes place – when Tangled Tree reduces its impact on the environment even more by highlighting creative ways the bottles can be re-used. The…
Van Loveren’s Almost Zero range is guaranteed to get you through lockdown
Almost Zero by Van Loveren Family Vineyards has taken South Africa by storm. This de-alcoholised wine range is made up of the popular Wonderful White, Ravishing Rosé and Radiant Red. What makes this trio stand out from the rest is that while alcohol is currently off limits during lockdown, as a non-alcoholic drink this range…
Talking Wine with Charlie Stein
Charlie Stein, youngest son of acclaimed British chef and restaurateur Rick Stein admits he probably has one of the best jobs in the world – tasting and selecting the wines that will feature on the wine lists of his fathers’ eight England-based restaurants. Charlie also gets to travel extensively, as the guest of winemakers the…
