Irish Coffee Chocolate Truffles

These are rich and soft and taste like a tiny ball of heaven. Give it a shot. Time: 2 hours 30 min  Portions: 25 Ingredients 1 Tin of condensed milk2 Tbls Butter1/4 Cup Cocoa (extra for coating)1½ Tbls Nescafé Alta Rica1 Tot Whiskey Method Combine butter and condensed milk in a pan over medium low heat. Once melted,…

Butternut Soup

Time: 1 hours  Portions: 6 Ingredients 1.5kg Butternut Cubes1 Large Onion (finely chopped)2 tsp Crushed Garlic1 tsp Rosemary1/2 tsp Ginger1/2 tsp Nutmeg1/4 tsp Chilli Flakes3-4 Cups Vegetable Stock250ml Cream1/2 Tbls Honey150ml Cream CheeseBlack PepperSalt3 Tbls Butter Method In a pot over medium high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic and fry for 5min. Add the…

Beef Soup

A simple but oh so good comfort dish. Time: 3 hours 15min  Portions: 8 Ingredients 1kg Stewing BeefOlive OilSalt & Black Pepper1 Onion (chopped)3tsp Garlic+/-3-4 Celery Sticks (chopped)4-5 Carrots (chopped)4 Tbls Flour3C Beef Stock1½C Red Wine1½C Water2 Tbls Tomato PasteBay Leaves & Thyme250g Mushrooms4-5 Potatoes (peeled & cut into quarters)BBQ SpicePaprikaSoya SauceWorcestershire Sauce Method Spice the meat (and…

4 Cheeses Potato Bake

I always struggle with potato bake. There’s always a few that are a little hard or it’s a little bland. So, I decided to do it a little differently. And with more cheese, obviously. Time: 1 hour  Portions: 6 Ingredients 8-10 Potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes)2C Cream1/3C MayoThyme2tsp Crushed Garlic1tsp Salt + 2tsp for boiling potatoes Black…

Baby Butter Potatoes

These are so yummy, you’ll become obsessed! Time: 1 hour 10 min  Portions: 4 Ingredients 1kg Baby Potatoes1/4 C Butter (melted)40-60g Parmesan1-2 tsp Crushed GarlicBlack PepperSalt2 Tbls Olive Oil Method Pre-heat oven to 200°C. Cut the potatoes into quarters. Boil for 20min and then drain and place in an over-proof dish. Combine the butter, oil and garlic and…

Chicken Meatballs

My first attempt at making these, or quite frankly working with chicken mince. Must say, it’s a lot tastier than I expected. Time: 45 min  Portions: 4 Ingredients Meatballs 4 Tbls Olive Oil (for frying)1kg Chicken MinceSalt & Black Pepper1½ C Breadcrumbs2 Eggs1 tsp Oregano1 tsp Paprika2 tsp Garlic¼ C Parmesan Ingredients Sauce 3 Tbls…

Spicy Spinach & Feta

Slightly spicy, creamy spinach and feta. Super easy and so tasty. Time: 15 min  Portions: 4 Ingredients 500g Cut Spinach½ Red Onion (finely chopped)1-2 tsp Crushed Garlic100g Plain Double Thick Yoghurt1 Wheel Of Feta1 tsp Chilli Flakes1 tsp MasalaDash of salt & black pepper¼ C Butter Method Add some water to a pot over high heat,…

Holy Shit Pork Belly

This is by far the simplest but best pork belly recipe I have ever made. Try it out! Time: 2 hours 15 min  Portions: 5-6 Ingredients 1kg Pork bellyOlive oilHimalayan saltBlack pepper2 Cups chicken stock3 tsp Crushed garlic Method Preheat oven to 180°. Score the pork belly and pour boiling water over it. Dry the roast with paper…

Rich Potato Soup with Smoked Ham

This was my first attempt at potato soup, and it turned out so well, it’s now a family favourite. It’s a lovely, rich soup for those cold winter nights. Time: 50 min  Portions: 6-8 Ingredients 7-8 Large potatoes (peeled and cut into small cubes) 1 Red onion (diced) 2 tsp Garlic 3 Tbls flour 4-5…

Baked Honey Soya Pork Steaks

These porterhouse pork steaks are so affordable and so good. Try them out. Time: 50 min  Portions: 5 Ingredients 5 x 200g Pork Porterhouse steaks (with fat) 2 Tbls Honey 3 Tbls Soya sauce 2 Tbls Olive oil 1 Tbls Tomato puree 1 Tbls Sweet chilli sauce 1 tsp Black pepper 2 tsp Crushed garlic…

Rich & Spicy Chicken Curry

Finally tried my hand at a rich and spicy chicken curry. So delicious! Time: 1 hour 10 min Portions: 8-10 Ingredients 600g Chicken fillets Chicken spice, salt & pepper to taste (for spicing the chicken) 3 Tbls butter (extra for frying the chicken) 1 Tbls oil 1 Tbls Curry powder 1 Tbls Coriander (spice &…

Chocolate Almond Brownies

Brownies. Warm, chocolate brownies with almonds and peanut infused vodka. That’s what I’m talking about. This is a quick easy recipe and it makes a lovely, rich, sweet snack. Time: 35min Portions: 10-12 pieces Ingredients: 1 Cup butter 1/2 Cup cocoa 2.5 Cups caster sugar 4 Eggs (large) 1 Cup flour (sifted) 1/2 Cup crushed…

Parmesan, Biltong & Mushroom Pasta

Biltong is as much of a South African tradition as a braai and rugby, so I had to try at least one recipe with it. This pasta is rich and creamy and absolutely lick-your-plate good. For those of you who don’t know what biltong is, the closest thing to it would be Beef Jerky, although…

Condensed Milk Yoghurt Tart

This is super easy, quick to make, and soooo divine! Try it and let me know what you think. Time: 10min (plus about an hour to cool) Servings: 5-6 Ingredients: 1 Pkt tennis biscuits* crumbled 3/4 Cup butter (melted) 1L Double cream strawberry** yoghurt (I used Bliss) 1 Tin condensed milk 250ml Cream Method: Mix…

Balsamic Chicken Fillets

Who the hell boils chicken? Turns out I do apparently.  This was another first for me. I generally prefer my chicken fillets pan fried or grilled but this turned out quite lovely, probably because you “boil” it in marinade. Time: 30min  Portions: 4-5 Ingredients 4 Large chicken fillets (or 5 medium ones) 1 Cup water 1/2…

Banana Bread

This one is so quick to prepare and a really nice snack. Time: 1 hour Portions: 4-6 Ingredients 1 Cup self-raising flour 2 tsp Baking soda 3/4 Cup sugar (1 Cup if you like it a bit sweeter) 1 Cup butter 3-4 Bananas 4 tsp Vanilla essence 1 tsp Cinnamon 2 Eggs (beaten) 3/4 tsp Salt…

Chilli & 3 Cheeses Mushroom Sauce

This sauce is awesome with anything from a burger to steak to potatoes. Give it a try. Time: 15 min Servings: 5-6 Ingredients: 1 Cup butter 2 tsp Crushed garlic 1 Small chilli (finely chopped) 1 Pkt forest mushrooms (diced)** 1 Cup Cheddar cheese 20g Powdered Parmesan cheese 1/2 Wheel of feta 1 Cup milk…

Peppermint Choc-Chip Muffins

I wasn’t quite sure how this would work out, but I was craving something sweet and peppermint-ish, and this happened. Time: 30-40min Portions: 12 Ingredients 1+3/4 Cup flour 2 tsp Baking powder 1+1/2 tsp Baking soda 2 Tbls Cocoa 3/4 Cup caster sugar 1/2 tsp Salt 3/4 Cup choc-chips 1 Cup milk 1/3 Cup +…

Milo & Condensed Milk Cake

Death by sugar! This is super sweet, but oh so amazing. Time: 45min Portions: 6-8 Ingredients: 2 Cups flour 1 Cup sugar 300g Milo (plus extra for sprinkling) 2 tsp Baking powder 1.5 tsp Baking soda 1 tsp Salt 1 Cup milk 1/2 Cup oil 2 Eggs 1 Cup boiling water Icing: 240g Butter (softened) 2.5…

Creamed Spinach With Parmesan

I always find that this dish, when ordered in a restaurant, is either a hit or a miss. Too dry, too bland or sometimes just blah. So I tried my hand at it and it turned out pretty damn fine. The secret is in the spices! Time: 15 min Portions: 5-6 Ingredients 200g Spinach (chopped…

Pan Fried Pork & Mushroom Pasta

Time: 25min Portions: 6-8 Ingredients: 200gm Pork fillet Spices to taste (Paprika, BBQ Spice, Salt & Black Pepper) Butter for frying 2 tsp Garlic 300g Mushrooms (diced) 1 tsp Soya sauce 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce Salt 1-2 tsp Black pepper 1/2 tsp Chilli flakes 500ml Double cream yoghurt 175ml Milk 2 tsp Fresh chopped Basil leaves…

Creamy Butternut

This has to be my favourite new side dish. It’s so simple, but oh so good. Time: 20min Portions: 5-6 Ingredients: 500g of Butternut cubes 250ml Fresh cream 175ml Fresh milk 45ml Brown onion soup powder Method Mix the brown onion soup, milk and cream together in a microwave safe bowl, making sure it’s not clumpy….

Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes

Creamy, rich and sweet. These cupcakes are a winner every time. Time: 35min Portions: 24 Ingredients: 2 Cups flour 2 Cups sugar 3/4 Cup cocoa 2 tsp Baking powder 1.5 tsp Baking soda 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Coffee 1 Cup milk 1/2 Cup oil 2 tsp Vanilla essense 2 Eggs 1 Cup boiling water Icing:…

Mac & 3 Cheeses

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…you can NEVER have too much cheese. So I added 3 types for good measure 🙂 Time: 30min Portions: 4-5 Ingredients: 250g Macaroni 2 Tbls butter Topping: 1/2 Cup breadcrumbs 1 Tbls butter (softened) 1/2 tsp Black pepper 2 Tbls Parmesan 1/2 Cup grated Cheddar cheese Sauce:…

Yummy Red Velvet Cupcakes

These are an absolute delight. Rich and creamy icing tops off this yummy treat. Time: 45min Portions: 12 Ingredients: 250g Sugar 1 Large egg 1+1/4 Cup flour 1/2 Cup Oil 1/2 Cup buttermilk 1 tsp Vanilla essence 1/2 tsp Baking soda 12 tsp White vinegar 30ml Red colouring Icing: 1+1/2 Cup icing sugar 1/4 Cup butter…

Peppadew & Feta Green Beans

This is so quick and simple, but such a tasty side. Time: 15min Portions: 4-5 Ingredients: 1 Pkt Green beans 1-2 Wheels of feta 5-6 Peppadews (chopped) 1 tsp Salt Method Boil the beans with the salt in a medium pot over high heat for 10min. Drain and crumble the feta over it, add the chopped…

Baked Brie with Honey-Bacon & Kiwi Reduction

Holy crap. This is so good. Every now and then I spot something on the shelf in my fruit and veg shop and I try to think of something I can make with it. A challenge, if you will. Last week I spotted fresh kiwi fruit and I had just bought some brie. That got…

Parmesan Coated Chicken Breasts

This coated chicken recipe takes a little longer to prepare, but it’s absolutely worth it. Especially combined with the guacamole topper. Check it out. Time: 50min Portions: 4 Ingredients 4 Medium to large Chicken fillets (deboned and skinless) 40g Parmesan cheese (the fine powdered kind) 30g Breadcrumbs 3/4 Cup butter for coating 2 Tbls butter for…

Guacamole

In South Africa we’ve had a bit of an avo issue. Prices over the last year had become exorbitant, reaching as high $5.50 for 2. Ridiculous right? But I recently had an avo windfall. A local grocery store was selling 6 for $1.20! Except, now I have 6 ripe avocados that I have to use…

Basil & Cheese Bread

A slight variation on the Rosemary bread, but I find that I prefer the Basil and cheese addition. Time: 60min Portions: 5-6 Ingredients 4 Cups Flour 10ml Sugar 10ml Salt 10ml Dry Yeast 20gm Freshly chopped Basil 550ml Luke warm water 1/4 Cup finely grated Parmesan 150gm Grated cheddar cheese 2 tsp Crushed garlic 1/2 tsp…