In My Kitchen

I am in Scotland and will return to South Africa on the 8th of May – I will reply to blog comments then. This post has been scheduled in advance.

Please join Celia, who blogs over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, by sharing with us what is in your kitchen!

In my fridge on the 1st of April was ….

© Sue was worried there was no wine in my fridge

© Sue was worried there was no wine in my fridge

In my kitchen …..

are two new egg holders – I looked long and hard, high and low, for something suitable. These are great as they have their own salt shakers and I can indulge in breakfast in bed over the weekend.

© egg holders

© egg holders

In my kitchen …..

are two little poaching pods for when I don’t feel like soft boiled eggs. They work really well and I am glad to never again have to worry that my eggs are not super fresh.

© poach pods

© poach pods

In my kitchen …..

is a gift from the bloggers cook off hosted by Canderel at Jenny Morris Cooks Play Ground

© Le Creuset is my favourite

© Le Creuset is my favourite

In my kitchen …

Is this three in one funnel which should make my life so easy. I am going to start making jams etc. when we get back.

© three in one funnel

© three in one funnel

Wishing you all a Marvelous May.

Tandy

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Tandy Goes To Scotland!

I am leaving for Scotland today (the 25th of April) and I will be returning to South Africa on the 8th of May. I have no idea how much internet coverage we will have, or how much time I will have to play on the internet. So, I will not be replying to any comments on my blog – but I do have some posts scheduled. I will reply to each and every comment on my return. I have loaded a RSS reader onto my PlayBook and I will try and read blogs when I can – if I LIKE your post, it means I have read it! Hope you all have a lovely time between now and then.

Tandy

In My Kitchen

Please join Celia, who blogs over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, by sharing with us what is in your kitchen!

In my fridge on the 1st of March was ….

2 Le Creuset dishes with two lovely recipes I will share with you soon

© in my fridge

© in my fridge

In my kitchen …..

is my afternoon green tea – I use the following combination and leave or add things out  depending on my mood – jasmine flowers, fresh ginger, lemon, honey, cinnamon, turmeric

© Jasmine Tea With Fresh Ginger

© Jasmine Tea With Fresh Ginger

In my kitchen there is ….

champagne vinegar – which I decided to get instead of sherry vinegar as I am much more of a bubbly girl!

© champagne vinegar

© champagne vinegar

In my kitchen is ….

February’s inspirational quote which I have not changed as I really like it!

© February's inspirational saying

© February's inspirational saying

Wishing you all an Amazing April :)

Tandy

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Taste Of Cape Town Ticket Give Away

Would you like to win tickets to this event? I have 4 single tickets to the Festival on Friday the 20th April. All you need to do is leave me a comment here and on the 10th of April I will randomly select the winners. Please note that this gets you free access into the venue and a tasting glass, this does not include any crowns.

Taste of Cape Town

Taste of Cape Town

Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town in association with Orbit Sugarfree Chewing Gum celebrates its 5th birthday in Cape Town with fun, food and fabulosity galore.

Your tastebuds will be treated to a 5-star experience at this year’s Taste of Cape Town at the Green Point Cricket Oval from 19 – 22 April. This gourmet event allows the public to nibble their way around fourteen of the city’s top restaurants at each Taste session.

The premise is quite simple:Cape Town’s finest chefs line up to showcase their culinary prowess with tantalizing signature dishes. All you have to do is hop from one to the other, sample the best cuisine the city has to offer, all while sipping on superb wines and cocktails. There are plenty of interactive food and liquor classes to attend and foodie folk to meet and greet.

The Festival showcases fourteen ofCape Town’s top restaurants and chefs, who have been tasked to serve the fabulous trend-setting signature dishes that have made them famous.

The impressive list of restaurants and their world class chefs guarantee that there will be something sensational for every palate. The list includes the following restaurants:

Azure Restaurant at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa – Executive chef Henrico Grobbelaar

Bistro Sixteen82 – Executive chef Brad Ball

II Leone Mastrantonio – Daniel Toledo

Fyndraai Restaurant – Shaun Schoeman

La Colombe – Head chef Scot Kirton

Makaron at Majeka House – Head chef Tanja Kruger

Planet Bar & Restaurant – Executive chef Rudi Liebenberg

Signal Restaurant atCapeGrace– Executive chef Malika Van Reenen

Sofia’s @Morgenster & Overture – Chef/patron Craig Cormack & Chef/patron Bertus Basson

TajCapeTown – Executive chef Shyam Longani

Savour Restaurant at 15 on Orange Hotel – Executive chef Sanel Esterhuyse

96 Winery Road– Executive chef Natasha Wray

The Westin Executive Club Restaurant – Chef de Cuisine Johann Breedt

Taste Pop Up Restaurant – featuring guest chefs the likes of Luke Dale Roberts – The Pot Luck Club, George Jardine – Jordan, Richard Carstens –Tokara Restaurant

Back by popular demand, the Pick n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre will again hostCape Town’s top chefs in fun and informative cooking demonstrations, culinary challenges, entertaining tutorials. This year’s will also see the return of the Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience, an interactive, hands-on area where guests will create three simple, stylish and utterly delicious canapés while an expert pairs each canapé with a wine to compliment the flavours.

More foodie features include The Westin Executive Club Restaurant, The Snowflake Pancake Feature and The Amazing Thailand Experience. And don’t miss the DStv live Cook-Off in the Pick n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre on Saturday 21st April.

Be sure to check out the Fine Brandy by Design by Distell, Jimmijagga, Jagermeister, Redds and San Pellegrino/Acqua Panna features, all of which will showcase the drinks that complete a meal – it’s not just about quenching those “thirst buds”, but also giving visitors the opportunity to mix and match flavours to get the best of every bite.

CelebrateCape Town’s local food heroes at The Small Producers Market where you will find delicious hand-made cheeses, pestos, homemade jams and sweets, as well as exotic ingredients and herbs to inspire home-chefs to create their own culinary masterpieces. Visit By Nature for dried fruit and nuts, Yummi Brownies for delicious chocolate brownies, or pick up a cupcake from Queen of Tarts!

Visitors are invited to take a walk through the Taste & Buy Experience and discover a mouth-watering array of gourmet food suppliers and try delicious wines as well as speciality food and ingredients to take home such as Olive Pride, Three Streams Smokehouse, Sally Williams and Schecktersorganic Energy.

For those visitors who crave a more exclusive experience, there’s the Taste Club House presented by DStv, a private lounge that serves as your base for the show. The ticket price comes with fast-track entry, a complimentary premium bar facility, a free tasting glass and R200’s worth of Festival Crowns (the official Festival currency).

For the little folk, Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town in association with Orbit Chewing Gum has created a KidzZone hosted by Party Tots on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of April. Fun activities for all ages are the order of the day which should keep the kids entertained while Mom and Dad enjoy the delectable delights the festival has to offer.

In addition to all of this, Taste 2012 is serving up a dose of Green Awareness, along with naming sponsors Pick n Pay and Orbit Sugar Free Chewing Gum, who both place great importance on environmental issues and actively promote and enforce sustainability in their core activities. The Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town in association with Orbit Sugarfree Chewing Gum has also partnered with green companies such as Interwaste and Green Home in order to ensure a more sustainable event.

“We are proud to be getting greener every year and to be doing so endeavour with the complete support and assistance of our environmentally aware sponsors, partners and exhibitors,” says Festival Director, Justine Drake. “Taking the environment into account and ensuring best practice in terms of sustainability can only add to the flavour experience that epitomises Taste“, she continues, “It’s our 5th year and we’re bigger, better and greener than ever. This year we have some exciting new restaurants (and some old favourites), hands-on cooking classes, a chef’s theatre and more wine and exotic liquor than ever before. There’s plenty of parking, games for the kids, loads to eat and drink and much fun to be had…be there or miss out!”

The impressive list of participating restaurants, award-winning wineries, premium drinks brands and extraordinary exhibitors will guarantee that there will be something sensational for everyone. So get down to the Green Point Cricket Club from the 19th – 22nd April to enjoy one ofSouth Africa’s most delectable Taste extravaganzas!

To avoid queues early booking is advised, so book now- Visit www.tastefestivalssa.co.za

Or go to www.itickets.co.za

What, Where, When, How…

Festival times:

Thursday 19th April: 18h30- 22h30

Friday 20th April: 18h30- 22h30

Saturday 21st April: 13h00- 17h00; 18h30- 22h30

Sunday 22nd April: 12h00- 17h00

Tickets:

Tickets are limited and booking is recommended – for further information and bookings visit www.tastefestivalssa.co.za or go to www.itickets.co.za or call 0861 000 291 for more info.

Standard tickets cost R80 (including a tasting glass)

Premium Tickets cost R200 (which includes R120 worth of Festival Crowns and a tasting glass)

A Taste Club House presented by DStv ticket costs R685 – includes fast-track entry, unlimited access to the Taste Club House which serves as your base for the show, R180 worth of Crowns (the official festival currency), 3 complimentary drinks, a crown bar facility and a free tasting glass.

Corporate Hospitality – Includes an exclusive area which serves as your base for the show – your branding may be placed in the area upon request*

R180 worth of Crowns per person (The official festival currency)

A Taste of Cape Town gift

Fast track entry

A tasting glass

Complimentary premium bar

As part of the package, you can book an exclusive 30-minute wine tasting with the inimitable and highly respected Wade Bales.

Well-known wine connoisseur, Wade, and a top SA wine maker will take you on a tantalising journey where you will get to sample a selection of iconic South African wines.

*Subject to the number of guests

Taste ofCape TownFestival Crowns:

Crowns are the Festivals’ official “currency”, which can be purchased at the festival from the Taste Bank or Crown Sellers walking around the festival grounds. Visitors use these Crowns to purchase food and drinks from the restaurants, bars and exhibitors. Each Crown is worth R5. Change is offered in Crowns only.

Tandy

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I have been tagged …

by the lovely Paula, who blogs over at Reflections From A Cloudy Mirror. Paula has tagged me to answer 11 questions, and to ask 11 people 11 questions.

Here are the eleven questions (very musical ones I see) and my answers (not very musical):

1.  Do you know the way to San José?

no, but google maps does!

2.  What do you get when you fall in love?

a lovely husband named Dave

3.  What’s it all about, Alfie?

who the (bleep) is Alfie – sorry, wrong song!

4.  Why do fools fall in love?

so that people can become grandparents

5.  What kind of fool am I?

I don’t think you are a fool

6.  How do you solve a problem like Maria?

hide her somewhere?

7.  What are you doing the rest of your life?

travelling, shopping, cooking, eating, being in love ….

8.  Do you think I’m sexy?

?? not sure how to answer that, never having seen you!

9.  What’s love go to do with it?

everything

10. “When will I see you again?

around the blogs, ever weekday

11. Are you lonesome tonight?

never

my 11 questions:

  1. would you eat brains
  2. would you eat sweetbreads
  3. would you eat fish eyes
  4. would you eat tongue
  5. would you eat haggis
  6. would you eat ox tail
  7. would you eat liver
  8. would you eat kidneys
  9. have you eaten anything that is not considered a normal food group
  10. what is the strangest concoction drink you have ever had
  11. what is your most memorable meal

and I am breaking the rules, and not tagging anyone. However, if you want to answer the questions, please do and let me know :)

Tandy

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In My Kitchen

The lovely Celia, who blogs over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, has a monthly round up of what is in our kitchens – you can join in too by clicking the link to her blog and seeing how it is done.

In my fridge in February was a packet of beetroot, left over from the cake I baked

© in my fridge

© in my fridge

In my fridge is a small packet of yeast – and look how cheap it was (we need to spend R7 to get US$1, R10 to get €1 and R8 to get AUS$1)

© yeast

© yeast

On my fridge is a personalized badge from my favourite online shop

© yuppiechef badge

© yuppiechef badge

In my kitchen is this lovely gift box I got when we went to the opening of Liam Tomlin Food at Leopard’s Leap.

© gift box

© gift box

The box came with a recipe card for mushroom risotto but my friend Erica tells me my recipe is great, so I will think of another risotto to make with the ingredients.

In my kitchen is a beautiful prop from Cindy - she gave me this lovely gift, and I have used it already to serve David’s lunch in.

© mug and spoon

© mug and spoon

Also in my kitchen is this wonderful tea mug – I make myself a floral tea with ginger every afternoon, and this way I don’t have to worry about the flowers ending up being swallowed. This is another gift from Cindy and I think of her everyday when I sit down with my afternoon cuppa.

© chinese tea mug

© chinese tea mug

Wishing you all a fantastic March :)

Tandy
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Best Local Food Blog Nominee Takes A Day Off

I have had an emotional 26 hours, a myriad of things have happened since 6am yesterday morning, and I just don’t have the energy to type up my blog post. I did not have time to do it yesterday due to back to back meetings. I also have not been around reading many blogs, and if I have missed yours out then please accept my apologies. My wordpress reader is overwhelmed with blog love. I have just installed RSS Popper and will slowly start setting it up. I tried to do google reader but that was not working for me. So, please be patient with me, I will be back tomorrow :)

I have been nominated, together with 9 other amazing bloggers, for an award and I would so appreciate your vote. Follow the link – no registration is necessary.

http://www.eat-in.co.za/Awards/Blogger-Awards

Best Local Food Blog

Best Local Food Blog

No matter where I end up, to be counted as one of the top 10 is an honour. And the people who stand alongside me are all great bloggers (and great friends)!

With thanks and blog love

Tandy

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Best Local Food Blog – Eat In Awards

I have been nominated, together with 9 other amazing bloggers, for this award and I would so appreciate your vote. Follow the link – no registration is necessary.

http://www.eat-in.co.za/Awards/Blogger-Awards

Best Local Food Blog

Best Local Food Blog

No matter where I end up, to be counted as one of the top 10 is an honour. And the people who stand alongside me are all great bloggers (and great friends)!

With thanks and blog love

Tandy

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In My Kitchen

The lovely Celia who blogs over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, makes sure each month I share my kitchen with you! It is a great way for me to keep track of just how much I buy :)

But first, here are green beans from my garden. If it were not for Celia, I would not have planted these. But I got garden envy from all the lovely things she is growing and I decided to stop waiting for the house to be finished and get planting.

© green beans

© green beans

Dave moved my LG light oven by putting in a suspended shelf. It is a bit high for me, but the gain in counter top space is worth having to stand on my tippy toes to work the dial.

© lg oven on shelf suspended from ceiling

© lg oven on shelf suspended from ceiling

So now I have moved my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer to under the oven, next to my kettle and toaster (note Celia – we love Breville appliances in our home)

© my kitchen counter

© my kitchen counter

Dave’s espresso machine has been moved to where the Kitchen Aid was giving me a bit more space and, I can easily use the machine as it is at a better level for me.

© espesso machine

© espesso machine

For my birthday in July I got a blue Le Creuset spoon. As my kitchen is red, I kept it aside until I could get it swapped out.

© le creuset spoon

© le creuset spoon

I love cookie cutters and I use them often for making ravioli. Here are my new heart shaped ones:

© heart shape cookie cutters

© heart shape cookie cutters

in my fridge you will find the unusual ingredient of fresh milk – used to make lots of ice cream over December and January holidays.

© in my fridge

© in my fridge

I found this lovely proverb which is so apt, as we eat a lot of fish.

© January's saying

© January's saying

Wishing you all an amazing February :)

Tandy
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The Versatile Blogger Award – take four

I am so blessed – Jen who blogs at Zestybeandog’s Blog has awarded me

award. Thank you so much for being a part of my blogging family :)

The conditions for this award are:

  • You must thank the person who awarded you by linking back to their post
  • You have to list 7 interesting things about yourself
  • You have to pass the award on to 15 other new or newly discovered blogs

More trivial information about me: (and if I have repeated any, apologies)

  1. I tried to write the initials of a boyfriend into my thigh with a razor blade – I am a bleeder and so did not succeed – I however still have a thin scar where I tried
  2. I stopped growing when I was 13 and am 187cm – quite tall for a 13 year old
  3. I have never made Greek food
  4. My 2012 holiday is all booked and planned – we are going to Scotland
  5. I tried offal for the first time ever at the Cape Winelands Cuisine launch
  6. I have just planted beans – that my tortoise is eating
  7. I hope to see the Nothern Lights before I die

I am passing the award on to the newest blogs in my blog roll:

  1. Crumbly Plum
  2. The Spamwise Chronicles
  3. Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide
  4. Talin Orfali
  5. Yvette’s Twisted Vines
  6. Olives And Artichokes
  7. Colonialist’s Blog
  8. Reflection’s From A Cloudy Mirror
  9. Savoring Every Bite
  10. Commander In Chic
  11. Mr Bunny Chow
  12. Forgotten Beast
  13. Another Day In Paradise
  14. Hope* The Happy Blog
  15. The Rowdy Chowgirl

Tandy

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