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A visit to Oude Libertas Amphitheatre

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Last night, on 1 March 2014,  we went to the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, situated on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg in Stellenbosch.  We visited the open-air theatre with friends for the ATKV Proudly South African Muziqanto show.  The recent winners of some of S.A.’s most important classical music competitions, ATKV-Muziq (instrumentalists) and ATKV-Muziqanto (vocalists) combined specially for this concert.  The artists were the mezzo soprano Minette du Toit-Pearce; Abraham Mennen  … Continue reading →

Meteora – suspended in the air

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In June 2010 we were off to Europe and we included Meteora, meaning suspended in the air,  in Central Greece as part of our itinerary.  We booked into Plakias guesthouse in Kalampaka, the city under the towering rocks of Meteora. What makes Meteora worth the visit is the monasteries built on huge rocks. Many tourists gather in Kalampaka every year to torture themselves climbing the many steps to the monasteries.  … Continue reading →

Valentine’s day 2014

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Time flies.  This was our fourth Valentine’s Day since we have been living in Cape Town.  We do not like crowds during festivities like this, so we decided to spoil ourselves at home.  Deon was responsible for dessert.  The starter was my favourite watermelon, feta and basil salad.  As a main course we had salmon in filo parcels with veggies and the dessert was baked Camembert with figs, berry coulis … Continue reading →

Country loaf with filling

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My country loaf with a filling is a meal in one.  Quick and easy to prepare and you can use whatever you have in the fridge for the filling.  It could be served with a salad or as part of meze.  This is a winner for lunchtime. Ingredients 1 small round, crusty country loaf 1 onion 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 green and 1 red pepper 150g mushrooms, sliced 1 … Continue reading →

Moussaka

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Moussaka It is so strange that many people shrug when they hear the word eggplant, so the following recipe is for those who love eggplant.  I suggest, however, that those who do not like eggplant also try this, especially as the eggplant is hardly noticeable in the dish.  Jeffrey Steingarten wrote a book with the title “The Man Who Ate Everything”.  When he had to answer the question “Do you … Continue reading →

Bo-Kaap

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There is but one Bo-Kaap in the world.  What a privilege to live in Cape Town and to visit this area.  We love the buzz, the vibrance, the beautiful buildings, the shops, the artists and above all, the mountain.  The name of our favourite Italian restaurant in the Cape Quarter, Andiamo, means:  Let’s go!  The meaning of Bo-Kaap is Upper Cape Town.  

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Coq au Vin

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  One of our favourite French dishes is coq au vin, or chicken with wine.  Today is Sunday, the last day of the lovely December holidays and I decided to spend the morning cooking.  We will have guests next week and I have decided to make this dish for them. I also used some of the coq au vin to make individual pies.  (I used bought pastry for the lids.) … Continue reading →

Jan Ellis Pudding

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From next week onwards this family of two will be on a strict Mediterranean diet – that means we will engage in healthy eating habits.  But on the last day of the school holidays, I decided to spoil us with an extremely unhealthy but delightful pudding.  I paged through my oldest recipe books and found this version of the popular Jan Ellis pudding.  As Deon is not fond of overly … Continue reading →

Yoghurt delights

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If you need dessert in a hurry, my yoghurt delights are the perfect choice. Ingredients 75ml Bulgarian yoghurt 175ml vanilla custard 5ml brown sugar Method Spoon the yoghurt into a pretty glass.  Top with the custard.  Sprinkle the sugar on top and leave in the refrigerator for about half an hour until the sugar is syrupy.  Decorate with fresh mint and serve.

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Pickled Fish

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In the Western Cape pickled fish is a tradition, a custom passed down by parents to the next generation.  It is custom to have this dish on Good Friday, because in some religions it is considered as “unholy” to eat meat on Good Friday. I decided to follow my motto (quickly prepared but delicious food) and to prepare the dish quick and easy.  So, off to the shop where I … Continue reading →

André’s crostini

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We have a friend, André, who lives in France. Friends in France recently invited him to dinner and he told us about the interesting starter he was served – crostini with eggplant.  Yes, many people do not eat eggplant, but we love it, whether it is served in Moussaka, Papoutsákia (little slippers in Greek), or in Melanzane Parmigiana (recipes to follow soon). When we were in Greece, our hosts cooked … Continue reading →

Riebeeck-Kasteel

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Today we visited one of our favourite towns close to Cape Town – Riebeeck Kasteel.  It is situated in The Riebeeck Valley, about 80km north-east of Cape Town.  We have been to this village many times, but will always return to experience the exuberance of this place again and again. This is one of the oldest towns in South Africa.  It was named Riebeeck-Kasteel in honour of Commander Jan van … Continue reading →

Open Apple Cappuccino Pancakes

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This is a quick and easy recipe for a delicious dessert.  We do not like desserts that are too sweet.  This is perfect, because you can adapt the sweetness for each person. Ingredients (for 2 people) 1 Tablespoon butter apple slices (I used 3 small red apples) 30ml Illovo Smooth Cappuccino sauce 2ml ground cumin 5ml dried French Tarragon lemon zest and juice of half a small lemon 2 readymade … Continue reading →

Diemersdal Wine Estate

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Today we visited the Diemersdal Wine Estate.  Deon bought some wine from the cellar.  Diemersdal wines are part of the Durbanville Wine Valley which is one of the oldest wine regions in the Western Cape.  Diemersdal is famous with Capetonians for festivals. The estate itself is picture perfect with white Cape Dutch style buildings, green vineyards and Iceberg roses at the entrance which leads you to the restaurant.  We had … Continue reading →

Venison pies

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I have never cooked venison before and browsed around on the Internet to find a recipe for my individual pies.  I chose a recipe from Nina Timm’s blog, My Easy Cooking, but adapted it slightly.  It turned out to be a favourite with my husband. 100ml vinegar mixed with about 2 cups of water 1 kg venison leg or shoulder 250g pancetta, diced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, … Continue reading →

Deon’s roast chicken on the Weber

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My favourite recipe for chicken pie on the Weber, which featured in the September 2013 Woolworths Taste magazine, on page 121 to be precise, is available on my website.   But now for The Master of the House’s roast chicken on the Weber – it is definitely also a winner.  Maybe he will be the next person in this family to feature in Taste – just keep on trying, Deon!  The … Continue reading →

Spicy pumpkin

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I was never particularly fond of pumpkin, so one day I decided to add some spices to it and it has been a favourite ever since. Ingredients 500g pumpkin chunks 75 g brown sugar (more of you like sweet pumpkin) 10ml curry powder (I prefer it hot, but adapt the amount to suit your taste) half a teaspoon each of turmeric and cumin powder a touch of salt 125ml water … Continue reading →

Philadelphia

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Philadelphia is a beautiful village just outside Durbanville in the Western Cape.  The name Philadelphia means “brotherly love”.  The restaurant De Malle Meul is also the gallery of the South African artist, Pieter van der Westhuizen, and popular as a wedding or conference venue.  

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De Malle Meul, Philadelphia

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Just outside Durbanville lies the village with the beautiful name, Philadelphia (brotherly love). It is popular with Capetonians, not only for a weekend getaway, but also for the Sunday lunches at de Malle Meul, the restaurant which is also the art gallery of the well-known South-African artist, Pieter van der Westhuizen.  This 150 years old village originated when farmers in the vicinity wanted their own church.  The beautiful white church … Continue reading →

Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock

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It is worthwhile to visit the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.  On a Saturday the Neighbour Goods Market is very popular.  If you like organic produce, this is for you.  To see the designer cupcakes,tarts, cakes, artisan breads and many other delicious goodies, go there next Saturday.  You will not regret it.  

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The Old Biscuit Mill

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Long ago it was a biscuit factory, but today The Old Biscuit Mill in the industrial area of Woodstock is a vibrant hub, with the highlight on Saturday mornings at the Neighbourgoods Market with its gourmet food, organic produce, fresh flowers, clothing and much more. We visited the market one Saturday morning and were stunned by the collection of arts and crafts; the designer cakes and artisan breads.  I saw … Continue reading →

HDR pictures

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I tried my hand at HDR photography when visiting Europe in 2010.  HDR stands for High-dynamic-range imaging.  It is a technique to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than possible using standard digital imaging or photographic techniques. HDR images can represent more accurately the range of intensity levels found in real scenes, from direct sunlight to deep shadows, for example.  HDR compensates for this by capturing multiple photographs at … Continue reading →

Beef Canneloni

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This is my easy way to make delicious beef cannelloni.  It is quick and easy to use ready-made white/cheese sauce and pancakes (from my friend Woolworths) if you are in a hurry. Ingredients 2 large onions, chopped 1 tbsp olive oil 10ml Italian herbs 4 slices Salami 4 cloves garlic, crushed 1 kg lean minced beef 1 sachet chicken stock (about 12ml) 500ml passata with basil to which you add … Continue reading →

New Year’s Eve 2013/2014

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New Year’s Eve Concert at Nederburg Wine Estate Last night, we ushered in 2014 on a spectacular note with beautiful music beneath the starry sky at Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl.  The South-African singer Lira and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra entertained hundreds of people gathered together on the lawn in front of the manor house with picnic baskets for this festive event.  Tenor Makudupanyane Senaoana and soprano Janelle Visagie also … Continue reading →

Greyton

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You will find Greyton some 1½ hours from Cape Town in the Overberg.  It is a small, peaceful and picturesque village at the foot of the majestic Sonderend mountain range. Here you will find original thatched cottages, characterful newer homes, tree lined streets and breathtaking mountain views.  You will also find a surprisingly vibrant community life, think a Saturday market, a handful of good restaurants and a couple of interesting … Continue reading →

Roasted vegetables

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This is a perfect recipe for delicious and healthy vegetables.  It is quick and easy to make, especially when you have to prepare a meal for many guests.  Pop it in the oven and forget about it. Ingredients (serves about 6 people) 2 red peppers and 2 yellow peppers, chopped 1 red onion, sliced 1 butternut, chopped into small chunks 2 leeks, chopped 6 courgettes, chopped 6 yellow pattipans 10 … Continue reading →

Miniature ice-cream bombs

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Miniature Ice-cream bombs For Christmas I made individual ice-cream bombs.  To make a huge bomb is a waste, because we are a very small family. Ingredients Christmas pudding (two large spoons full) Ice-cream (vanilla flavour) Fresh cherries (chopped, for colour) Green fig preserve (half a fig is enough) Method Take the ice-cream out of the freezer an half an hour before you want to make your bombs.  Line two small … Continue reading →

The Goatshed

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Deon,my mom and I recently visited the Fairview wine and cheese farm situated in the beautiful Paarl area.  This was our third attempt to have a meal at their restaurant, The Goatshed, which is an informal Mediterranean-style restaurant.  This time we booked a table in advance, as the restaurant is very popular, especially during holidays.  Fairview offers wine, artisanal cheeses, light meals and lunches, freshly baked bread as well as … Continue reading →

Sago pudding

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This is the recipe for my mom’s famous sago pudding.  She lives in Port Elizabeth.  When she visits us twice a year, Deon insists that she makes this on Sundays.  If you cannot find sago, you can also use tapioca, which is quite similar to sago.  Both sago and tapioca have a botanical origin.  Sago comes from the middle part of the trunk of the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu).  Tapioca … Continue reading →

Penne al Pollo

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This is one of our favourite recipes and so easy to prepare. I was introduced to this recipe for the first time in 1999 when we visited the Belvédère Hotel in Peille, France. 2 chicken breast fillets, thinly sliced Garlic A pinch of sea salt Black pepper 125ml Basil Pesto 125ml cream 1 small onion 1 packet of mushrooms Freshly shaved Parmesan Method Fry the onion in a bit of … Continue reading →

The jovial waiter; his wife the chef; a wet guest and penne al pollo

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In June 1999 we went to Italy and France. In Italy we visited Rome, Siena, Florence and Venice. Then we travelled from Venice by train to Nice, France, where we met our friend, André. The three of us planned to explore the French Riviera and the arrière-pays niçois (Nice hinterland) for three days. We spent our first night at the Hôtel Belvédère in Peille. The hotel was an old family … Continue reading →

A short visit to Port Elizabeth

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During our December holidays we had the opportunity to revisit our “hometown”, Port Elizabeth.  We were invited to the wedding of two young people, Evan and Mariska.  We have known the groom since he was a little boy and he has always been close to our hearts.  We had met Mariska earlier and we were very impressed with this friendly young woman.  We looked forward to return to P.E. and … Continue reading →

Aliens in Athens?

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Our last trip to Europe was in June 2010 to Turkey, Greece and France.  It was wonderful. First of all we stayed over in the magical Turkey for three days.  The Hagia Sophia is our favourite monument to visit in Istanbul. Then we explored the monasteries in Monastiraki – breathtakingly beautiful.  Strange how some people choose to live, but I always admire guts. And then off to the Athens, but … Continue reading →

Pork belly

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We spent Christmas day at Deon’s mother.  We decided to take along a pork belly as part of the meal.  I do not eat pork.  Well, not included are frankfurters; bacon; chorizo; …  But pork – it is definitely a no go area for me.  Deon does not share this sentiment.  And he has been searching for the perfect pork belly recipe.  He cooked yet another pork belly on the … Continue reading →

Christmas Eton Mess

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Deon’s mother invited us to have our Christmas dinner at her home and I was responsible for the desert.  I decided on something light and easy, something I could assemble at her home, after the dinner.  So, I decided on my own version of the popular Eton Mess. Ingredients 1 cup blueberries and a handful of fresh cherries 3 cups hulled strawberries macerated for a few hours in 10ml sugar … Continue reading →