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Better known as a tipsy tart, many people where I live would call this a Cape brandy pudding. In Timeless South African, Ilse refers to this as a classic heritage dessert. The originator of the recipe was Lesley Faull, the founder of the Silwood School of Cookery, and she was sponsored by Oude Meester, a … Continue reading Tipsy Tart
August 2026 was chock-a-block full of packed weekends. We had motor racing twice which is unusual for us, but one of the races was an endurance race. We usually get to the track in time for breakfast, and leave after dessert is served. One Saturday I went with my girlfriends to do a wine tasting … Continue reading August 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
The Country Road Murders opening lines: Silas Tucker, all six-foot-six of him and all two hundred sixty-five pounds of him, is a high school principal who irons his khaki pants to military creases and still looks like the hard-ass-defensive end he used to be. My blurb: Silas Tucker Jr. has his whole life ahead of … Continue reading The Country Road Murders, James Patterson
The text for the post on A Gulf Coast Seafood Trail Through Southwest Florida was provided to me. A Gulf Coast Seafood Trail Through Southwest Florida A lot of what passes for Florida seafood on a menu has travelled further than the diner eating it. Southwest Florida is one of the places where that isn't … Continue reading A Gulf Coast Seafood Trail Through Southwest Florida
This latest recipe book from Ilse van der Merwe is a celebration of our diverse and colourful food cultures. The classic recipes in Timeless South African contain stories behind the iconic dishes. If you want to learn more about our Rainbow Nation, this recipe book is a great place to start. Timeless South African In Timeless … Continue reading Timeless South African, Ilse van der Merwe
I think it is always good to have a few marinade recipes one can use for various meats. This lamb marinade comes from the recipe book Mexico in Mzansi which I reviewed in 2024. It can be used for any cut of lamb, but works well with lamb shoulder, and chops. Skip ahead to the … Continue reading Lamb Marinade
I love recipes which are easy to follow, and can be made in one bowl. This recipe for bran and berry muffins is the go to in Sarah Graham's house. I used frozen blueberries as that is what I always have in my freezer. But you can use any frozen berries that you have on … Continue reading Bran And Berry Muffins
I first made these vodka pickled cucumbers in 2024. They were served together with sardine rillettes, a recipe I got from Mimi. Since then, I have ensured that there is always a jar of them in my fridge. They go perfectly well with a cheese platter, and can be served with any charcuterie board you … Continue reading Vodka Pickled Cucumbers
The text and photograph for the post on 8 Superfoods for Students Preparing for Board Exams was provided to me. Preparing for board exams requires more than long study sessions and detailed notes. The food you eat can directly affect memory, concentration, energy levels, and overall cognitive performance. While no single ingredient can guarantee better … Continue reading 8 Superfoods for Students Preparing for Board Exams
Seeing as scones are a quick bread, bara brith scones seemed like a great idea. Bara is bread in Welsh and brith refers to the speckled look. And these scones were exactly that. Speckled bites of joy with a hint of ginger and lemon from the tea I used. Skip ahead to the recipe for … Continue reading Bara Brith Scones
I am in love with all things 'Bakewell' having been introduced to the tart by my aunt when we first visited her in the UK. I decided to make a Bakewell jam, and used the jam on my Bakewell scones. Dried cherries are key to this recipe and if you cannot find them where you … Continue reading Bakewell Scones
In her recipe book, Simple Suppers, Sarah suggests to make a double batch of this recipe for chilli con carne. I did just that and we had a great meal with friends using half of what I made. The rest was divided into two containers which I froze, making for simple meals during the week … Continue reading Chilli Con Carne
July 2026 started off slowly and calmly with me painting the guest bedrooms and passage. But, by the middle of the month, my social life had taken off full steam. I had friends visiting from Germany with their kids. We spent an afternoon catching up which was really wonderful. My friend came from the UK … Continue reading July 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
The text and photograph for the post on What to See and Do Along the Ayrshire Coast was provided to me. Sweeping beaches, clifftop castles, championship golf, and the birthplace of Robert Burns are all found along the picturesque Ayrshire coast in southwest Scotland. It's easy to get there, easy to love, and makes for … Continue reading What to See and Do Along the Ayrshire Coast
It is time for International Scone Week 2026! There are thirty three scone recipes on my blog, the most popular of which is now my courgette and and feta scones. 2026 International Scone Week A little bit about this For quite some time now, bloggers around the world have gathered to bake scones. To … Continue reading 2026 International Scone Week
Sometimes, only chocolate will do! This is a sentiment from Jamie Oliver that I totally agree with. Dave and I have chocolate every evening after dinner. And these chocolate orange pots from Eat Yourself Healthy were the perfect treat. They are sweet, tangy and utterly delicious according to both Jamie and Dave! Skip ahead to … Continue reading Chocolate Orange Pots
The Lover opening lines: She feels the blood before she opens her eyes. She's not sure if it's the jackhammering in her head or the pounding on the door that's woken her. My blurb: Hallie fell in love at nineteen and left everything she knew behind to make a life with Calvin. When everything fell … Continue reading The Lover, Mary Watson
This recipe for chicken and leek pie comes from Sarah Graham's Simple Suppers. It is super simple as you use chicken that has already been cooked. That you can buy or be like us and braai a chicken so we can get several meals from it. And it calls for store bought puff pastry. This … Continue reading Chicken And Leek Pie
When I left home, my aunt gave me her recipe for tzimmes. It never tasted as good as she made it, but I am sure that had to do with memory as much as anything else. I have made this numerous times over the years, adjusting it as I went along, so that what I … Continue reading Tzimmes
It Could Have Been Her opening lines: I liked the girl. She had a nice smile. She was friendly. I could tell she liked us. My blurb: Jane did not have the best start in life. Her parents were alcoholics, and her brother died of a drug addiction. She marries into wealth, not once, but … Continue reading It Could Have Been Her, Lisa Jewell