My version of a French-style Omelet
There are few things as delicious as an omelet made with farm fresh eggs… This is the secret to my mother’s incredible breakfasts that keep her guest coming back to her guest house, year after year. There’s something almost surprising about that deep rich yellow, almost orange, yoke that makes you realise that the shop bought eggs are far from the authentic thing…
Since the start of the guest house, my parents have kept chickens to supply the guest house with fresh eggs. It started as a novelty, but as people have become more aware of where their food is sourced, it’s really a conversation point and the children who visit, love to join my father when he collects the eggs. The hens are spoilt with a diet of kale leaves, chicken feed and spinach greens and I think this must be the secret to the beautiful colour and taste of their eggs.
Kale Chips
Kale burst onto the ‘super food’ scene faster than you could say Goji berry. It has also, it seems, stayed in vogue for longer than most of the super foods that simply seem to disappear quietly making room for the latest health-promoting product. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of ‘super foods’ is definitely a real one, they are most definitely foods that are absolutely loaded with essential nutrients and cancer-fighting anti-oxidants, but my own lifestyle leans more towards eating a well-balanced diet and eating whole foods and Organic, when possible. So my first encounter with kale wasn’t when I was perusing through the shelves of my local health food store, but it was in fact, in my father’s vegetable garden…
Healthy Nut, Seed and Date Balls
Today is another beautiful, sunny Winters day in Cape Town. The branches of the oak tree that hangs over my house are almost bare and it feels like a familiar time of year when I’me grateful for every sunny day. I’ve caught myself making my third cup of tea before the afternoon has started… It’s the type of weather that just calls for a sweet treat with your tea and makes me wish I was able to snuggle on the couch for the afternoon with a good book. I have been enjoying the glories of my daughter having a two hour nap and am catching up on some long-overdue blogging and shoot-planning. Life with a toddler has left me missing little things like spending the afternoon baking without having to fight my way through Tupperwares and potatoes rolling on my kitchen floor. I must say though, I wouldn’t replace it for the world, and the busyness has somehow made me into a more focused and productive person.
Birthday Celebrations
I recently celebrated my 30th birthday at the Company’s Garden Restaurant in the beautiful Cape Town, city centre. I haven’t written too many posts directly referring to restaurants, but I had such an incredible experience there and love the food and decor so much, that it’s definitely worth a mention. My sister-in-law took these gorgeous pics of the party-happenings and I made my birthday cake (something that happens most years), afraid this is the lot of a pastry chef slash undercover cake critic…
I thought I’d share some tips for this simple rosette cake. This was my first attempt, but surprisingly easy and very big on wow-factor. Firstly, I made a simple butter cream icing, the same recipe I’ve mentioned in another post on my daughter’s birthday ruffle cake. I like to use quite a lot of butter, as this tones down the sugar, but does unfortunately make it a little more pricey to make. It is so worth it though, trust me. (more…)
Making Granadilla Cordial on an Autumn Afternoon…
I recently visited my parent’s beautiful guest house in the Garden Route with my little girl. I can’t believe I can call her a little girl and not a baby! It was such a magical time for me being in the home where I grew, up with my daughter and watching her enjoy the beautiful garden, swing that her grandparents hung in an old tree for her and the friendly bullmastiff, Juno.