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According to Larousse (page 212), the original Charlotte dessert was inspired by the English summer pudding and was created to honour Queen Charlotte. It was made with a thick apple purée, flavoured with lemon and cinnamon and poured into a mould lined with bread and then baked. It was served warm with a cold custard cream. … Continue reading Charlotte Russe
This recipe for red wine gravy is all you need for a traditional roast dinner, and served with Yorkshire puddings, makes the meal even better. Skip ahead to the recipe for Red Wine Gravy I very seldom order things online, unless it is for my kitchen, and then I use Yuppiechef. I am very fortunate … Continue reading Red Wine Gravy
A few years ago if you had offered me oats for breakfast I would have said "no thank you". But now, any winter morning is good for oats. Dave and I were watching a program on Glen Grant Distillery which is in Scotland, and the master distiller stated that whisky is a good drink after … Continue reading Whisky Oats
My friend Kim lives in Perth and I have been very fortunate to have been able to visit her to see where she lives. The first time I was there she drank lemon, lime and bitters, which I had never heard of before. I love the name of the drink but not having ever tasted … Continue reading Lemon, Lime And Bitters
Yesterday after shopping I came home in need of a drink! I purchased several items from my local store but found them more than 20% cheaper at their opposition, and so took them back for credit. One of the items was a probiotic and I was told by the ladies at the returns counter that … Continue reading Citrus Liqueur
When I was growing up, every Jewish Holiday was celebrated at my Grandmother's house. The day of the celebration she would have all the aunts over at her house to prepare for the meal. I can remember being served tongue, hunting for the afikomen on passover and enjoying my Aunty Tilly's ice cream. Pesach meals … Continue reading Chopped Liver
Braised red cabbage is slowly cooked in white wine with a hint of ginger, making it the perfect accompaniment to winter dinners. Skip ahead to the recipe for Braised Red Cabbage What type of drunk are you? And by that, I don't mean what type of alcoholic are you, I mean, what are you like after one … Continue reading Braised Red Cabbage
In my mind, the only thing that makes traditional haggis taste good is a whisky sauce. And for my whisky sauce I use a single malt whisky. Dave and I did a malt whisky tasting when we were in Scotland that was extremely informative and educational. At some stage I want to take this further but for … Continue reading Whisky Sauce
I bought free range pork cheeks to make this recipe for braised pork cheeks. The method was inspired by Gordon Ramsay. To me, the most important factor when shopping is buying regional produce. We are very fortunate in South Africa that our local Woolworths lets us know where the produce comes from. To that end … Continue reading Braised Pork Cheeks
It is amazing how life can give you blessings when you least expect them. When my parents were here for their annual visit we went to The Restaurant At Waterkloof Wines as they had really enjoyed their previous visit. This was the 14th of June and the restaurant was closing for their annual break after … Continue reading Pickled Quails Eggs
I made my very first master stock when Cindy and I went to cook with Alvin Quah. Even if I could have, it would not have occurred to me to take the stock home. As I loved the flavours, I decided to make my own to braise a pork belly, using a recipe from Gordon … Continue reading Master Stock
When watching The Great British menu a few years ago Bryn Williams made Bara Brith for his dessert. This traditional Welsh cake was the first thing that I ordered when we had morning coffee in Little Haven in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Skip ahead to the recipe for Bara Brith It is a spiced fruit cake and … Continue reading Bara Brith
This recipe for sourdough baguette is one I have made often, taking us back to our holidays in France where we eat bread and cheese every day for lunch. Skip ahead to the recipe for Sourdough Baguette A couple of years ago I was gifted a subscription to the Reader's Digest magazine. I read it … Continue reading Sourdough Baguette
I wanted to make a special ice cream to serve with a plum tart tatin I was making for a dinner party. Tarte Tatin is my go-to dessert and ice cream is one of the easiest treats for me to make. This champagne ice cream seemed like the perfect one. I was given a bottle … Continue reading Champagne Ice Cream
I have twice tried haggis and the first time was not a memorable experience. We had it at a local restaurant for Burns Night and frankly it was nothing to write home about. When we were in Scotland I ordered some at a local pub, and what made it was the whisky sauce! Skip ahead … Continue reading Haggis
Pinotage is a unique South African wine, best drunk slightly chilled. It is an easy wine to make, according to the winemakers I speak to. Considered a masculine wine, pinot noir (the mother) will show in grapes grown in cooler climates, whereas cinsaut (the father) will show in vintages where the weather is warmer. The … Continue reading Pinotage Wine Tart
Pan Fried Chicken Livers are great to boost your iron levels. Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Pan Fried Chicken Livers ♥ Is our ability to handle our finances indicative of how we conduct our lives? And can we be expected to handle our finances positively when so many countries are in debt … Continue reading Pan Fried Chicken Livers
Making a hollandaise sauce can be quite daunting but if you follow these very simple steps, you can make this champagne hollandaise sauce for a special occasion. boil the kettle and place some of the boiling water into a milk / gravy jug place some of the boiling water into a small sauce pan and put … Continue reading Champagne Hollandaise
When Dave and I were in Sicily in 2013 I made a point of looking out for arancini di carne, as these are a traditional food to the region. However, I did not see any which left me wanting to try and make some arancini di carne when we got home. I was quite pleased … Continue reading Arancini Di Carne
Sangria is one of those drinks I can remember imbibing years ago. I was not overly fond of the fruit, and did not even think to make this at home. But, it has been a long hot summer and lazy afternoons have called for something cold to drink. It is the festive season, and a … Continue reading Sangria