Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2019 i Woolworths TASTE

Do you order pork belly whenever you see it on a menu but are way too scared to cook it at home? We thought so. But here’s the thing: pork belly is really easy to get right – it just needs long, slow cooking. Score the fat and season the meat generously with your spices of choice, then sit back and relax while it roasts in the oven or grills on the braai. (Yes, you really can cook that belly over the coals.) Affordable, versatile, packed with flavour – say hello to your next showstopping meal! sapork.co.za Serving suggestions CRISPY PORK BELLY BUNS Preheat the grill to 220°C. Score the skin of 1 kg unrolled pork belly. Generously rub with 2 t crushed juniper berries or Asian spice mix and…

WOW! Taste team, you have done it again, inspired greatness from a mediocre home cook-cum-wannabe chef! My stepdaughter, who believes I can do ANYTHING in the kitchen, nonchalantly asked if I would make a wreath pavlova to end our Christmas lunch. With some trepidation I agreed, not wanting to disappoint her. I have never been able to successfully make meringue of any kind and resigned myself to the fact that after many attempts this was one thing I would never be able to do. (That and scones, which my late father said, if thrown, could seriously damage someone or something!) TASTE December 2018 to the rescue! The result? My meringues were gorgeous. The wreath pavlova was the pièce de résistance and was demolished with many oohs and aahs. Thank you…

The food is almost ready, the candles are lit: it’s time to set the table. With beautiful tableware, it’s easy. Made by expert craftsmen in Thiers in France, Laguiole cutlery is known for its quality and durability. All items are entirely handcrafted, and the Jean DuBost range is made using stainless steel caps and blades. At over 500 years old, La Rochére is Europe’s oldest, continually running glass factory. Today, its glassware – all made in France – is dishwasher safe, but takes inspiration from the classic designs of the past. The French Bee range sports Napoleon’s iconic bee pattern. THE PRIZE: Six lucky readers will each win a hamper containing a 24-piece set of Laguiole’s Artelier Blue JDB cutlery, and six La Rochére French Bee tumbler glasses, valued at…

EASY TO BAKE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX Just add eggs and butter to this brownie mix starring UTZ Certified chocolate chunks with a deep, chocolatey flavour. Mix, pop into the oven for 30 minutes and devour. R59.99 FREE FROM GLUTEN CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX Woolies’ Free from Gluten chocolate brownie mix is made with rice flour. The only extras you need are oil, milk and eggs – and chopped cherries and macadamias if you like. R46.99 INDULGENT TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES These hand-finished chocolate brownie squares are made with dark, milk and white chocolate chunks, along with Ayrshire buttermilk. R69.99 DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIE BITES Hand-dipped in dark chocolate – they’re perfect for instant gratification when the craving strikes. R46.99…

Sourdough banana bread Pastry chef @alessia.fiorii makes some beautiful breads – from a turmeric-and-chia seed boule to French baguettes, but her other genius creation is sourdough banana bread. Adding a little sourdough starter to banana bread is a trick employed by many sourdough bakers to use up the excess starter that forms each day. You can also add excess starter to waffles and flapjacks for an extra-light and fluffy texture and slight tartness. Sourdough art  Some of the most beautiful loaves on Instagram come from home-baker turned micro-baker, Lisa Clayton (@sourdough_nouveau). Intricately patterned with elaborate stencils, and scored using a lame – a custom blade that bakers use to form neat expansion points in their sourdough – her loaves feature optical illusions, snowflakes, or images relating to their unique inclusions.…

I was born in Buenos Aires. My maternal grandfather was Italian and my father’s side was a mix of Charrúa Indians [an indigenous group in Argentina], Italians and Basques from Bilbao. I come from a family that was always cooking; these were constant acts of love. The pressure is always phenomenal. I was working with French chef Bernard Loiseau when he committed suicide. This was 2003 and he was one of the best but he thought he would lose his third Michelin star for his restaurant, La Côte d’Or. It was a terrible time. I learned quickly that you need to survive the pressure while being in the public eye. I try very hard to keep my feet on the ground, because I don’t want to become an inflated public…

The bar: Bartender Michael Stephenson opened Lucky Shaker in Umhlanga in November 2014 and, in 2018, opened a second bar in Ballito. The vibe: Think laid-back, Durban cool. “We don’t have TVs or show sport, so we’re very focused on getting people to enjoy each other’s company,” says Michael. The ethos: Apart from making great cocktails, The Lucky Shaker team is committed to reducing the bar’s impact on the planet. Since switching to kegs for soda and tonic water in 2015, they have saved 25 000 cans from ending up in the bin. They also strive to avoid food waste, infusing pineapple skins into rum, juicing the flesh and even dehydrating the spent pulp to make fruit leather. And by using whey instead of egg white for frothy cocktails, they…

1 Warwick Cape Lady Dry Rosé 2018 The classic one Visitors to Provence return enthusing about the region’s dry rosés – and the Warwick Cape Lady is a fantastic local example of this style. It has the classic coppery colour and flavours of dried herbs, wild strawberries and spiced stone fruit, the alcohol is low and the palate is elegant and complex with a creamy mouthfeel and tart finish. R69.99 2 Woolworths House Cultivar Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2018 The one for a seafood feast White wine is splashed with red and the result is a pale salmon-coloured wine, (produced exclusively for Woolworths by Bosman Family Vineyards), bursting with flavour. The citrus and creaminess of the Chardonnay, with the body and berry fruits of the Pinot Noir, make it a versatile…

Ramp up the feelgood factor with Woolworths’ range of vegan deli products – they’re a feast at your fingertips, and the perfect (easy!) way to kick back on a Friday evening. Feel like tacos? The BBQ pulled jackfruit is the ideal choice – add charred corn and sliced chilli and dig in. In the mood for a burger? The vegetarian burger patty is lightly flavoured so you can add the ingredients you love, such as pickled red onions, fresh pesto, and sweet potato fries on the side. Partial to a hot dog? With a range of vegetarian sausages (including a spicy version) to choose from, there’s no reason not to chow down. woolworths.co.za Look out for this icon in store to find what you need for your plant-based lifestyle. Serving…

It’s a month of balmy weather and long weekends, which means it’s also the perfect opportunity to fire up the grill. Why not try something new and throw some delicious Woolies’ espetadas on the braai? Available in a variety of flavours, including a juicy Moroccan pork belly and a mildly spicy smoked paprika-and-tomato beef espetada, these tender cuts are perfectly seasoned and marinated in made-from-scratch basting sauces. They’re guaranteed to bring some flair to any feast, and to seduce with their fragrant, smoky flavours. woolworths.co.za Serving suggestions Grill or braai Moroccan pork belly espetadas and smoked paprika-and-tomato beef espetadas until cooked to your preference. Serve with whole roasted red onions, butternut wedges, roasted garlic and whole roasted cauliflower. Drizzle with fresh basil pesto (optional).…

Housed in a magnificent historical building (the most iconic section of which was designed by architect Onni Tarjanne and completed in 1890), Hotel St George opened in early 2018. Extremely stylish with incredible art, it’s conveniently located opposite the Old Church Park and within walking distance of all the places mentioned here. Rooms are spacious and luxurious. Don’t leave without enjoying a cocktail at the hotel’s Wintergarden bar. The Drunken Gardener, made with fig-infused bourbon, LBV Port and a lemon-and-lavender syrup, gets my vote. stgeorgehelsinki.com…

No Easter weekend menu is complete without fish in all its guises, from pickled fish (yes, you may eat it straight from the tub – or find great ways to pimp it at taste.co.za) to smoked trout on the coolest of cucumber sandwiches (see right). And then there’s Siba Mtongana’s showstopping apricot-glazed braaied snoek (see page 87). As part of its Fishing for the Future programme, Woolies is committed to sourcing all its seafood from sustainable fisheries and responsible farming operations. So when you stock up for the long weekend, you can rest assured that, with partners such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), and the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF-SASSI), Woolies really is helping to make sure there will be plenty of fish…

MARK HAMILL’S ROAST SIRLOIN AND YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS WITH EPIC BEEF-BONE GRAVY “This supercharged roast dinner will send your taste buds out of control. I’ve enlisted the force of science in order to get the Yorkshire puddings bang-on. It’s a precise method, but the beauty is it’s guaranteed to give you beyond brilliant results, every time. Make the gravy in advance if you want to get ahead.” Serves 6 (with leftovers) Total time: 6 hours 20 minutes, plus overnight chilling For the Yorkshire puddings: large free-range eggs 4 flour 150 g milk 175 ml beef dripping 50 g For the gravy: beef bones with bone marrow 2 kg large leeks 2 red onions 2 flour 2 heaped T red wine 100 ml port 100 ml For the beef: whole dry-aged sirloin…

The memories of some flavours last a lifetime. But whether you grew up eating pickled fish on hot cross buns, or have never tasted it before, you’ll love the sweet, tangy flavour of Woolworths’ pickled fish. Made with hake, a mild curry sauce, onions and bay leaves, it’s delicious on buttery rotis; spooned over rice noodles; or on its own, straight out of the tub. Lip-smackingly good! woolworths.co.za Serving suggestions 1. Serve Woolworths’ pickled fish on cooked rice noodles and sliced baby cabbage, then garnish with pickled radishes and microgreens. 2. Make a quick raita using cucumber, apples, lemon and yoghurt, then spoon over toasted rotis, beetroot matchsticks and Woolworths’ pickled fish.…

Foolproof “almost” carbonara GREAT FOR: A SUPER-FAST SUPPER Cook 500 g linguine in rapidly boiling salted water until al dente. Beat 6 free-range egg yolks and 2 free-range eggs together. Add 150–200 g finely grated Parmesan and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to the eggs and beat. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup pasta water, then place the pasta in a large bowl and pour in the eggy cheese mixture. Toss 2–3 times really quickly, pulling the pasta high using tongs. Do not stir as this will result in scrambled eggs. Serve immediately while still glossy and evenly coated with sauce. If you don’t, the residual heat of the pasta will overcook the eggs. LOAD IT UP: It’s a delicious cheesy pasta served as is, but if you…

Few things beat a warm, flavourful curry – especially with autumn at the door – and now you can enjoy your favourites with the new range of poppadums from Woolworths. Available in three flavours (plain, black pepper or cumin), they’re quick to cook – simply fry or heat in the microwave – and the ideal accompaniment to your next Indian meal. Use these crispy, savoury snacks to scoop up bites of creamy butter chicken curry, fragrant tikka chicken, or spicy vindaloo. Add fresh coriander and a chopped tomato sambal and you’ve got all the makings of a feast. woolworths.co.za Serving suggestions Cube 4 free-range chicken fillets and fry in a hot pan with a little oil until golden brown. Pour over 1 x 400 g sachet Woolworths butter chicken cook-in-sauce,…

IF YOU READ my monthly ramblings you’ll know how much I treasure family traditions. I hoard rituals and happy memories the way I used to hoard Easter eggs as a child. I’d keep my stash in my wardrobe for weeks after the hunt – precious chocolate roosters and rabbits too beautiful to unwrap. Sometimes I kept them for so long that when I eventually did unwrap them, the chocolate had bloomed and was white and blotchy. But the last decade has seen such massive changes to our once little family that I’ve had to learn to embrace new traditions. I’ve had to learn to eat the chocolate in the moment. I’ve had to grow up. Nine years ago, my brother married his California girl and they had Declan, my Supermario…

EASTER FEAST Haul out the stretchy pants – the eating starts here! Prepare yourself for a month of leisurely roasts, toasted hot cross buns and chocolate for breakfast. Visit taste.co.za/easter-recipes for inspiration, now! @ WWTaste ASK QUESTIONS AND SHARE YOUR ADVICE AT TASTE.CO.ZA/COMMUNITY-QUESTIONS . WOOLWORTHS TASTE TUBE Want to see the recipes on these pages come to life on video? Visit taste.co.za/tastetube to see how to make some of our favourite dishes from this issue. STAY CONNECTED! Have you signed up for our free weekly newsletter? Get supper suggestions, droolworthy videos and exclusive online competitions delivered to your inbox.Sign up at taste.co.za  now.…

1. THE ALL-TIME CLASSIC “The only way I can improve on one of these is when I sneak the almost empty Nutella jar from the cupboard before anyone else gets to it, add hot milk to the jar and shake it up for the best ever hot chocolate to go with the brownie. But a great cup of coffee will do, too.” THE FUDGIEST BROWNIES “ It has coffee; it has cornflakes. Therefore, it’s breakfast”– Abigail Donnelly Makes 20EASYGREAT VALUEPreparation: 15 minutesBaking: 20–25 minutes butter 240 g, melted and cooled vegetable oil 2 T sugar 250 g light brown sugar 200 g free-range eggs 4 vanilla paste 1 T flour 120 g salt 1 t good-quality cocoa 100 g dark chocolate 200 g, chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 170°C…

If you love a stack of pancakes (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), you’ll go crazy for these ricotta hotcakes. Adding Woolworths’ new smooth ricotta to the batter makes for the lightest, most airy pancakes imaginable. Part of Woolworths’ fresh cheese range – which also includes mild and milky fior di latte mozzarella, bite-size bocconcini and traditional ricotta, made the Italian way – Woolworths’ new smooth ricotta has a slightly dry texture, which makes it a great addition to baked goods such as cheesecake and pancakes, not to mention savoury dishes like scrambled eggs and omelettes. woolworths.co.za Serving suggestion Mix 4 free-range egg yolks, ¾ cup buttermilk and 1 t vanilla paste. Fold through 225 g sifted self-raising flour, 1 t salt and 110 g caster sugar. Whisk 4 free-range egg…

The brunch:  Thaw and heat a pack of Woolworths’ frozen pancakes. Serve with strawberries, Madagascan vanilla dairy ice cream, crushed candy-coated chocolate hen’s eggs and a drizzle of maple syrup. The outfit:  Find a bunny, owl or hedgehog mask and let the children hunt in character, R49.99.…

One lucky TASTE reader will win a bottle of Bacardi eight-year old premium imported rum, worth R375. Enter at taste.co.za. MICK’S MEDICINE orange-infused Bacardi light rum 2¼ T vanilla syrup 1 T freshly pressed pineapple juice 5 T coconut cream 1¼ T dehydrated pineapple, to garnish freshly grated nutmeg, to garnish 1 To make the orange-infused rum, add 10 g dried or dehydrated orange peels to a bottle of Bacardi rum. Leave for 24 hours, then strain using a coffee filter. 2 To make the vanilla syrup, place 1 split vanilla pod into a bottle of sugar syrup (caster sugar and warm water mixed in a 1:1 ratio or equal parts) and leave to infuse for 48 hours. Strain using a fine sieve or a cooking oil filter. 3 Shake…

When it comes to making soup, be it your gran’s chicken soup or a modern Asian broth, nothing plays as big a role as the stock you use. A fine, fragrant stock can be the difference between a so-so soup and a spectacular one, which is why Woolworths’ free-range liquid chicken stock is made in the traditional way, using free-range chicken, fresh vegetables and herbs. It’s your secret weapon for making great soups, stews and sauces and so convenient, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. woolworths.co.za…

I have recently found myself apologising for certain foods I serve to guests. “It’s strong,” I’ll warn them as I place a chilli, ginger and coriander pesto on the table. “I know it’s not to everybody’s liking,” I’ll say as I pass the tomato, garlic and anchovy salad around. And then, trying to make light of the issue, I’ll add, “These strong flavours, they’re like me, unsubtle…” Because by now I’ve learned that people either like me or loathe me. I’m a bit like coriander in that way. And while I really do want to be liked, I also know that you can’t please everybody. For some, my emotional outbursts are a sign of a woman who feels passionately about certain things; for others, they’re simply a sign of an…

ROAST LAMB WITH GREEN SAUCE “Tangy buttermilk is a fantastic tenderiser for meat and poultry – pour it over the lamb and let it work its magic overnight.” Serves 6 EASY Preparation: 40 minutes, plus overnight marinating time Cooking: 2 hours buttermilk 1 cup garlic 3 cloves, finely chopped, plus 2 heads for roasting rosemary 6 sprigs chopped, plus 2 t for roasting lemon 1, zested and juiced sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste bone-in free-range leg of lamb 1.7–2 kg olive oil 2 T butter 50 g fresh mint, for serving Woolworths mixed colour baby Swiss chard 2 x 60 g punnets, blanched mixed green beans 600 g, blanched, for serving For the green sauce: spring onions 3 chives 15 g Italian parsley 10 g capers…

GRILLED PAP CAKES “I grew up eating maize meal. We ate this staple in the same way most of the time, but now I add my own Sibalicious twists, including bacon, chilli and cream cheese.” Serves 4 EASY GREAT VALUE Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 20 minutes cold water 1 litre chicken stock powder 1 T salt a pinch maize meal 200 g bacon rashers 250 g, chopped onion 1, chopped garlic 2 cloves, crushed parsley 2 T chopped coriander 2 T chopped sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste For the toppings: harissa paste 2 T cream cheese 100 g roasted vine tomatoes Woolworths jalapeño atchar 4 T caperberries Woolworths sliced jalapeños 1 In a saucepan, mix the water, chicken stock powder and salt…

CUMIN-SPICED CAULIFLOWER WITH ROAST TOMATOES Serves 4 EASY GREAT VALUE Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking: 45 minutes Italian whole peeled tomatoes 2 x 400 g cans garlic 3–4 large cloves, smashed olive oil 8 T chilli flakes a pinch whole small cauliflowers 4 (about 1 kg), halved if larger ground cumin 4 t sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste water or vegetable stock ¾–1 cup coriander, to garnish For the coriander pesto, blend: coriander leaves 25 g olive oil 2 T ground cumin a good pinch garlic 1 clove, crushed sea salt to taste chilli flakes, to taste “I keep these recipes on stand-by for vegetarian guests, or to take a midweek break from meaty meals”– Phillippa Cheifitz 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C. Place the tomatoes and…

Made with coconut milk, Woolies’ new milk, cream and cultured coconut products are the perfect replacement for dairy. Whip up a decadent breakfast bowl with fruit, granola and cultured coconut (available in both plain and mango flavours), add the coconut milk to your coffee or smoothie, and transform coconut cream into a decadent creamy pudding. Unlike most coconut products, this range is fresh, rather than long-life, has no added dairy and is suitable for vegetarians. Perfect for a plant-based lifestyle! woolworths.co.za…

A: PAP AND SAMP My earliest food memory is of living with my grandmother and all my cousins and having tons of plates laid out on the large kitchen table at meal times. It’s a very happy memory. Pap and samp were my favourites – we ate them often. My palate has evolved and expanded so much, but I still take the chance to enjoy both when I can. Especially at family gatherings! WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE DISH NOW? I love penne; I fortify mine with a variety of veggies with garlic and olive oil. I salivate just thinking about it! WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS? I’m thrilled about the third season of The Voice SA (watch it on M-Net…

“My simple curry noodle salad is always a hit! The combination of curry and spice makes it so irresistibly good. Even friends who don’t usually go for pasta salad love it.” – Yvette Samaai “Mussels in a homemade, slow-cooked tomato sauce in the pizza oven with a dash of cream and hot-buttered sourdough toast dippers. The show of cooking it in the pizza oven was probably the best part.” – Hannah Lewry “I made Hannah Lewry’s roasted pumpkin with salsa verde for my sister’s book club. It got lots of oohs and aahs!” – Jacqueline Burgess “I get up very early to make a huge pavlova; it’s a ritual. If granadillas are in season, then I make a curd that I fold into plain double-cream yoghurt. Otherwise I top it…

Did you know that all the cocoa sourced for Woolies’ brownies and brownie mixes on page 26 – is UTZ Certified? UTZ is an internationally recognised certification scheme aimed at ensuring sustainable production of crops such as cocoa. UTZ supports cocoa farmers in managing their crops in a manner that is both responsible and profitable. The next time you treat yourself to something delicious, you will also be supporting responsible cocoa farmers and their families. Learn more about ethical sourcing and the Woolworths Good Business Journey at woolworths.co.za/goodbusinessjourney .…

Hass avocados, fresh coriander, lemon, spring onion, Serrano chilli and diced tomatoes are combined to make a creamy guacamole. Finely shredded red cabbage and julienned carrots add crunch. Patagonian calamari tubes are coated in paprika, crushed tortilla chips, flour and seasoning before being deep-fried. The chorizo (which happens to come from Woolies) is flash-fried. The soft-shell tacos are made daily using fresh masa (corn). They’re rolled and cut using a special press. The tacos are finished off with spring onions and a drizzle of lemon aïoli made using plenty of zest, juice, Dijon mustard, jalapeños and a little sugar. 206 Duvernoy and Chopin St, Constantia Park, Pretoria, @elpistolero.za. Get the recipe at taste.co.za .…

This salad (see recipe opposite)is such good value – you can really just do the beans or the carrots. It uses tiny cannellini beans, which are the most accessible beans – you don’t have to make a big beany commitment. Roast the carrots as single file as you can, with their crusty spice rub. We serve it with lamb, but it’s also great with pork and fish. One of my other favourites from the book is Mr Hong’s crispy brinjal with fragrant Asian sauce. I don’t like to choose between my children, but this child needs talking about! It’s a battered, fried brinjal baton, layered with a slightly sticky Asian sauce, to make this amazeballs tower. It’s inspired by Dan Hong’s Mr Hong, but I’ve made it more accessible. I…

1. Do an urban wine route You don’t have to wait for the weekend to spend a day in the winelands. Cape Town’s monthly Tuning the Vine sees wine lovers, maps and tasting glasses in hand, strolling through the streets between participating bars and restaurants on the inner-city wine route. Venues offer menus to match the wines on offer, winemakers offer 20-minute wine crash courses, and if you want more in-depth knowledge about what’s in your glass, you can even book a sommelier tour for a group of six to eight people. Usually the first Wednesday of every month: visit tuningthevine.co.za for more details on the route, upcoming dates and ticket information. 2. Visit Joburg’s only winery Garagiste winemaker Kath Gerakaris and her husband, Minos, are behind Gerakaris Family Wines based…

Chicken pot sticker soup Cook Woolworths’ chicken pot stickers according to package instructions. Bring 1 litre chicken stock and 8 slices fresh ginger to a simmer in a saucepan. Add 4 bunches baby pak choi and cook for 2 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, fry 150 g shimeji mushrooms until golden in a little sesame oil. Place the dumplings, pak choi and a few mushrooms in a bowl. Pour over the warm stock and top with spring onions, red chilli and fresh coriander. Serve with a soya-and-sesame dipping sauce. Serves 4…

Toast Hawaii and I first became acquainted in a village near Stuttgart, while I was visiting my godparents. They rarely allowed my husband and I to reciprocate their hospitality, so when we persuaded them to be our guests at a restaurant of their choosing, it was a major breakthrough. “Dad would like to go to Heinz,” said their son, relaying the message and referring to the owner of a local bakery with dining room attached. “They make a great toast Hawaii.” I tried reserving judgment, but toast … for dinner? It sounded suspiciously like grilled cheese to me. A bell jingled as we pushed open the glass door and stepped into a brown-and-orange, wood-panelled tribute to the decade when Heinz had refurbished – I’m guessing the late sixties. In another…

The euro is used throughout Finland, with the current exchange rate around €1 = R16. South African passport holders need a visa, which costs approximately R1 000. vfsglobal.com/finland/southafrica KLM offers weekly flights from Cape Town and Joburg to Helsinki, via Amsterdam, on an Airbus A380 or Boeing 777. klm.com In summer the sun stays up for 19 hours in Helsinki, so the days are long and languorous, especially from mid-June. Winter begins in mid-November, with the average temperature a frosty -4°C, but the snowfall coating the city makes up for it. The official Helsinki Tourism site, myhelsinki.fi, is extremely comprehensive and well worth a scroll through before planning your trip.…

THE BEST-EVER GRAZING PLATTER Serves 4 EASY Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking: 5 minutes Woolworths whole salami 1 x 230 g Parma ham 2 x 70 g packs Woolworths sweet-and-sour sliced gherkins 1 x 385 g jar microherbs, to garnish German or English mustard, for serving Woolworths chèvre roue goat’s-milk cheese 1 x 150 g Woolworths crottin 1 x 80 g Woolworths roasted cherry tomatoes 50 g Woolworths spicy jalapeño-and-sriracha dip 1 x 160 g tub Woolworths Rustica loaf 1, heated Arrange on a board and assemble and enjoy as you like. WINE: Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2018 BLUE CHEESE-AND-RED ONION TART Serves 6 EASY GREAT VALUE Preparation: 1 hour, plus 45 minutes’ chilling time Cooking: 1 hour For the pastry: flour 450 g butter 200 g, cubed salt 2…

“Braaiing happens almost every weekend in the Mtongana household – whether we have guests coming over or not. It could be just me, Brian and the kids on a beautiful sunny day that just calls for lighting a fire. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to cook that guarantees flavour. And when we know we have guests coming round over a long weekend, we definitely like to include some braaied dishes in the mix – these are usually the last of the warm days down in the Cape and we have to make the most of them! I feel like I have millions of recipes, so I’m quite geared up for it. Here are my tips for braai success: THE FIRST RULE: KEEP IT CLEAN. Wash all your pans and utensils…

Nicola got the call in July last year. She’d been working on a new concept restaurant in Franschhoek, where she is now head chef, but back then it was still in its development stages, so she’d been out of the kitchen for a while. A major Hollywood movie star and his family were looking for a private chef to cook for them for a couple of weeks in the house they were renting in Hout Bay. “The house was booked through Perfect Hideaways and Margot Janse [chef and former Eat Out Top 10 alumnus] is part of their team, so she recommended me,” Nicola says. “I remember her saying this was her reputation on the line, too.” But Hollywood movie stars won’t let just any Prue Leith-trained, Margot Janse-vetted chef…

CHAIN REACTION What’s that mantra the MasterChef judges recite over and over again? “Flavour, flavour, flavour.” Take the time to char, sear and caramelise when cooking and you’ll never regret it. That crispy crust on a roast is the result of something called the Maillard reaction – a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugar that is triggered by heat. Sear a leg of lamb in a large pan before roasting it and you’re guaranteed a golden brown roast. Make incisions into the meat and stuff them with garlic and rosemary for added flavour oomph. DON’T HAVE A MELTDOWN If you’re making the brownies in this issue, you’ll be melting a lot of chocolate. What’s the best way to do it? Some people swear by a double-boiler, while others prefer…