Bree Street Food Guide - Cape Town's "It" Street Travelling along Bree Street and meeting the locals who are bringing the street back to being 'The place to be'. A Bree Street Food Guide For Business Day 4 March 2016. Crammed at the portside since the colonial days, with seedy dive bars and brothels frequented by [...]
A summery and herby Lightly Smoked Trout on Orzo with lardons, paired with a barrel aged Viognier - a Diamond winner at Women and Wine of the World International Competition 2012,
This recipe is one I've always wanted to make - ever since I watched Nigella Lawson, all tight-fitting baby blue sweater, super shiny locks and glossy pink pout purring about it years ago. Was I still at Varsity then or out, I can't remember. But I do remember the heartiness of this chilli con carne. It was all about abundance and sharing - a huge one-pot meal to share with friends and family who would appreciate this type of communal serving vessel on a cold, blustery evening.
When Woolworths gave me the challenge of preparing a meal for four for R150, a "budget" meal, I knew three things should into play so that the eater (and the cook) would not feel deprived in any way: flavour, easily available ingredients and there had to be dessert!
Bacon, eggs beaten with cream, a slice of baguette and spring onions in the convenience of a large muffin cup. In the original recipe I fried finely diced onion till just brown and added that over each bread slice before spooning over the beaten eggs. This recipe is even easier, as you add chives or snipped spring onions for the same oniony taste without the effort. It's a good way to work in small space and get everyone to enjoy a hot breakfast at the same time, cook included. Looks darn cute too.
So, while contemplating how I was going to use the delicate squid ink vermicelli, salts, unusual rices, dried mushrooms, tinned anchovies and the hoard of really lovely chocolate (oh, that required much deep and meaningful contemplation), as well as relate the culinary tales of trotting and discovery, I needed an afternoon snack. Step in, plump ripe figs, sweet and succulent, sprinkled with Spanish pepper smoked salt, extra virgin olive oil, a blob of fresh ricotta cheese, baked and then topped with crispy bacon bits.
Little pots filled with bacon and lentils cooked with onions, bay leaves and a little red wine and covered with butter puff pastry. This may be comfort food, but I see a little ray of sunshine letting the new season in.
