Tantalise your Taste {of Cape Town} Buds!

I never thought I’d dream of food after I’ve already eaten it, but after this year’s Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town event, I was even day-dreaming about the tantalising tastes I tried and tested. I simply couldn’t wait for it to start, so I attended Friday night’s session.  Off course I did a little research as to the who’s who that  was going to cook up a storm at the festival and I knew that come the end of the session I had to have at least tasted one of each.

 

Well, well, well, was I surprised, time flies when your having fun and eating delicious food, but I managed (and I still don’t know how) to taste all my favourites – and a few extra too. I also had the opportunity to meet executive Chef Stefan Marais from The Brasserie and Janine from SASSI after a very informative session about sustainable seafood in the Pick n Pay Chef’s Theatre, where we were greeted with a pomegranate and mint refreshment drink and a Fresh Living Magazine. For more information about sustainable seafood {click here}.

 

In true KoekiesEnCream style I started my tasting list with dessert - I’m so glad I did as there were so many to choose from!

 

Here is the KoekiesEnCream Top 5 ‘sweet tooth’ tastings:

1. Banana Macaroons with Banana Puree, Banana Caviar and gel from Dash Restaurant & Bar.

2. White Chocolate Pistachio Truffle with Dark Chocolate Ganache inside from Apprentice.

3. Coconut & Lime Handmade Ice Cream from The Creamery. – Just loved the cuteness and energy about them!

4. Freshly made Lindt Milk Chocolate Pralines and Truffles from Lindt Chocolate Studio.

5. Rose Macaroons from Daniela’s.

Next: The mains! This was indeed the best I’ve had in years, not only because I love eating small portions, but because I had the chance to select every single main portion that I was about to have.

My Top 3 mains:

1. Slow roasted beef short rib, grilled rib-eye, goats cheese arancini, miso-roasted sweetcorn, pickled beetroot & smoked BBQ jus from Signal Restaurant at Cape Grace.

2. West Coast Mussels with tomato & chili from TheBrasserie, can also be served as a starter if you take a small portion.

3. 24hour-braised lamb breast, parmesan polenta & smoked tomato jus from Dash Restaurant.

Lastly, I wanted to end my first ever Taste of Cape Town with a starter (as a reminder that this is the start of great things to come). There was one particular starter that stood out amongst the rest for me:

The taste, texture and colours of the Norwegian Salmon & Avocado Tartare, Parmesan Galette, Ikura Caviar, soy-lime broth & micro herbs from Savour @ 15 on Orange.

 

Photos edited by Jana Jonsson Photography

 

Remember there are literally hundreds of delicious dishes, drinks & desserts to choose and taste, so be sure not to miss the next tantalising Taste of Cape Town in 2014.

 

View the full Show Guide Menu here.

This post is sponsored by:

 

Fig{de}licious Muffins

This morning I opened the kitchen cupboard and there it was, Pick n Pay Finest Fig Jam! For an early bird I thought well, maybe it might not be such a good idea to start the day with something sweet, but then I thought... wait a minute, let's make another peek-a-boo recipe, a 'surprise' ingredient and that's when recipe popped into my head...Fig Health Muffins. *{See recipe and Easy-to-find Shopping list below}

With winter peeping around every corner, I wanted to have a healthy breakfast to boost my immune system and get some extra fibre into my everyday diet. But...it wouldn't be possible for me to leave out 'something sweet'. So, I came up with a healthy alternative for a grab-and-go breakfast. This peek-a-boo fig jam muffin is perfect. It already has the jam inside the health muffin - perfect for when you are in a rush, having a picnic or surprising your tea-time guests!

{Mooi in} Rooi Lipsel Rooi Fluweel Tert

Vanoggend toe ek opstaan en my klerekas bekyk, het ek gevoel soos destyds toe ek nog mevrou-mevrou gespeel het, my ma se hakskoene aangetrek het, my ouma se aan'clip' oorbelle gedra het en rooi lipsel aangesmeer het tot bokant en onderkant my liplyne. Die enigste verskil was dat ek nou reeds al 'n 'mevrou' was, my eie pruim-kleur hofskoentjies aangetrek het en my lipsel meer na pruimpienk 'tint' as na rooi - maar van binne het ek nogsteeds soos 'n kind gevoel. Steeds so opgewonde oor die tooisels wat ek myself mee optof en nuuskierig, want wie weet wat die rooi-lip-dag sal inhou! 

Daar is iets hartliks, warm en natuurlik uiters aantreklik aan dié kleur, dis mooi, dis volrond, dis kleurvol, dis ryk, dis diep, dis rooi. Vandag se resep is alles behalwe 'n rooi 'suur pruim'. Dis soet, dis sappig, dis sag...en ek het dit 'gedoop' in rooi, ek het dit gedoop:

Rooi Lipsel-lekker Rooi Fluweel Tert!

{Feast} What to Pick for Easter!

Imagine a world where eggs are coated in candy...filled with chocolate…where hearts and crosses are played on soft textured, freshly baked buns and a prize is hidden around every corner in an exciting Easter egg hunt...

Photos by Jana Jonsson Photography

{Peppermint} Chocolate Cupcakes

I posted these lovely St. Patrick's day cupcakes on my Food24 blog a few days ago, although I simply posted the tempting pics! Now for the long awaited recipe! When I first saw a version similar to this recipe on TV I just had to try it for myself. I thought...there can't be a better combination than chocolate, peppermint, buttercream and {my own addition to the recipe} condensed milk in one cupcake!

So, why the wait? ...well, I had to make this delish cupcakes a few times - not because I couldn't get it right, nope, because I simply could not keep up with the amount of orders that came in. I decided to dedicate this Sunday afternoon to sit down and write down the recipe!

{Milo} Flatervrye Fudge Fees

Flatervrye fudge is nie altyd so flatervry nie. Resepte los gewoonlik die klein oepsies uit van wat dalk kan gebeur wanneer jy fudge maak. 'n Paar wenke wat ek kan gee wanneer jy fudge maak is: {For English recipe click here}

1. Sorg dat AL die bestanddele goed opgelos is. Milo inkluis.

2. Moenie jou plaat te hoog stel nie, anders brand die fudge vinnig vas.

3. Haal die kastrol van die plaat af wanneer jy die geklitste eier by die mengsel voeg.

4. Indien dit sou gebeur dat jou fudge nie wil set nie, geen probleem! Krap die mengsel uit in die kastrol en laat dit op 'n lae hitte weer smelt. Kook dit vir 'n verdere 5 tot 10 minute en gooi die mengsel weer uit om van voor af te set.

5. Die geheim van 'n suksesvolle fudge resep is: Roer! Moet nooit die kastrol verlaat nie, hou aan roer! Of kry iemand om vir jou in te staan ;)

{Eenvoudige} Elegante Elgin

KoekiesEnCream het die naweek gereis na die lieflike Elgin, waar ons op die plaas genaamd Rockhaven 'n eenvoudige tòg baie elegante troukoek afgelewer het. Die senuwees het soms hoog geloop op Sir Lowry's Pass, met draaie en hobbels wat mens koud laat - veral vir die bestuurder wat weet dat daar 'n troukoek in die motor is!

Maar, wat 'n lieflike rit en soveel te meer die bestemming! Rockhaven is beslis 'n stukkie hemel wat tussen die plase en kronkelpaaie van Elgin en Grabouw versteek is.

{Kleurskema} Die bruid het besluit op wit, navy en 'n tiksel pienk. Sag, eenvoudig en elegant. En die mooiste {en soetste} prentjie denkbaar, om te kan sê: "We do" met ietsie soets!

Suurlemoen Meringuetert

Meringue My Lief

Dit is so lekker om mense te bederf veral as jy weet wat hul gunsteling is!

Vandag se gunsteling wat ek gaan aanpak is Suurlemoen Meringuetert!