World Vegetarian Day on 01 October 2011.

Are you ready to enjoy the fruits of the earth on Saturday, World Vegetarian Day? For some of us this is an easy decision...... but for others, a greater challenge. What could be more satisfying than fresh, juicy fruit, crisp green salads and baked vegetables or even crisp, crunchy, stir fried vegetables?Also remember to be kind to nature and collect all vegetable peelings and pips for your compost heap and of coarse to remember to recycle as much as possible....glass, plastic, paper and your cans.

Create secret vegetable parcels to delight and inspire your family and guests for your Braai on Saturday.

Baked potatoes will be a favourite with your guests when served with creative, or even the most simple of fillings. There is still nothing to beat cottage cheese with fresh herbs from your garden...... I can just smell the chopped parsley and chives!

Pasta is another great vehicle for vegetarian sauces..... Raid your fridge, your veggie patch and your pantry and create a sauce for your pasta. Use fresh herbs, chillies, garlic and plenty of freshly cracked pepper to flavour your sauce.

Be creative and start the stir fry for your sauce with some apples. You will be surprised at the extra touch of sweetness added to your sauce. The fruit cooks through quickly, and will also help bulk up the sauce.

Oven roasted vegetables are next best to vegetables baked in foil over the fire. Be creative here as well and combine fruit with your vegetables for a hint of sweetness and extra texture. Do not forget the herbs, garlic, fresh chillies, rock salt and cracked pepper.

While you have the oven on, you might as well also prepare a tray of roasted butternut, onions and potatoes for a butternut soup....... just perfect for World Vegetarian Day.

Remember to stay close to nature....set up a picnic in the garden, or simply take the inside out for the day and enjoy all your meals together with nature.

Your beloved 4 legged children will be very happy to have you share time with them in their garden....... love your garden, the sunset, your pets, and above all the nutritional vegetarian meals you have created for World Vegetarian Day.

Let's celebrate Heritage Day....or National Braai Day.

In honour of the South African tradition of cooking meat over hot coals, the braai is what draws men to their fires, and the ladies to prepare salads and marinate meat in the kitchen! Easy isn't it?

The wonderful Weber or Kettle Braai has made the messy job of setting up the fire a dream.

..... and we also have vegetables packed away in secret parcels...... for me the best part of the braai!

Secure your vegetabless in aluminium foil with a dash of salt, pepper and fresh herbs. A knob of butter will round off this parcel. Enjoy.

Your fur family will love you even more when the aroma's of the braai start exciting their taste buds! Our beloved Shumba boy was always with us ..... ever ready to clean the braai grid! We love you and miss you so my boy. Rest in peace.

There is of coarse nothing to beat the magic of an open fire.....can you feel the warmth?

Tandoori Chicken is an absolute winner on the weber.

The result, tender and succulent chicken..... falling off the bone. To prevent the chicken from drying out, serve in a chaffing dish, and add a touch of class to your braai!

Your fur family will be right there looking for a treat..... but no bones.....PLEASE!

Be careful around the braai.... and stay safe and sober if you are out and about on the roads. Enjoy this special day!

2011 Oktoberfest inspiration from my kitchen.

I felt guilty using last year's photo's to announce this year's Oktoberfest......... so herewith some up to date inspiration from my kitchen!

Bockwurst with German style Potato Salad ( Kartoffelsalat).

The traditional lighter style potato salad served in Germany is a lot lighter in kilojoules than the rich, mayonnaise version that many of us know. Here is the recipe for the dressing:


Kartoffelsalat


1/3 Cup Olive Oil
2 teaspoons mixed chopped herbs
1/2 Cup Beef broth
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
1 Tablespoon German Mustard
2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons finely chopped onion
4 Large potatoes
Salt and Pepper to taste


Method:
Combine all the ingredients for the dressing.
Boil potatoes until tender and slice while still warm.
Mix potatoes through carefully in the sauce and leave to absorb the liquid for at least an hour.
Season to taste. Chill until ready to serve.

Guten Appetit.....Enjoy your meal.

PROST !!!!! CHEERS !!!!! ( excuse South African beer in a Flensburger Pilsener glass!)

I just love my small collection of traditional German Blue pottery...... a collection worth growing in the future!

Be safe and enjoy any local Oktoberfest celebrations you may attend. Just maybe one year you too will be one of the 6 million visitors to this annual event?

Cheers! Until next year's Oktoberfest blog.

Flowers in my garden at the moment.

I do not think that I would have made it through Winter without the bright and cheerful blooms from my Nasturtinum creepers....and yes, they have crept everywhere.... but I just love their juicy leaves and bright blooms. Even the bees have been having a busy time!

I know many of us, here in Cape Town have been moaning about the weather recently...... but if we look at the splendid weather we are having today, we should not be moaning at all.

With this thought in mind, I decided to take a walk ....or actually a roll..... around my garden and capture the beauty that abounds. I was amazed at this collection of beautiful flowers and vegetation. Above, we have the delicate white Marshmallow flower...just great for Organic cake decorating.

I am so excited that the Wild Orchids are blooming again...... thanks to my Aunt for my new stock.

I am also lucky to have one Iceberg Rose Bush that is still producing wonderful roses...... how can one not love nature with beauty like this in one's garden?

 

My all time favourite, the Perennial Basil with its wonderful, rich clove fragrance attracts the bees and produces rich green leaves. An absolute must in any tussie mussie..... or bunch of herbs!

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One tree I cannot ignore in my garden at the moment is the Bottlebrush...... it is blooming cazy at the moment and is literally dripping with rich, red flowers. The bees of course also love these flowers.

My Fennel also continues to provide a splash of bright yellow amongst all the greenery..... what a delight to the eye!

I am also lucky to still have my Cymbidium blooming...... an absolute delight!

Let us not forget the value of the Lobster flower....it is water-wise and will grow like a deamon where other ground covers will not grow!

Never forget the Lavender.... especially not the white lavender.... a treat for any lover of lavender!

My favourite Aloe....another delight in Cape Town in the Winter season.

Although not a true Lavender... this Spike Lavender grows well in the Western Cape. It produces wonderful, long stems which make great cut flowers.

 

So, take yourself outside for a trip around your very own magical garden..... you may just also be surprised at what you find! Have a happy Spring week-end outside in your own paradise!

Greetings from my Wild Winter Garden.....the view from my bedroom window!

Tomorrow, 16 September is National Recycling Day.

Well, this entire week has been National Clean up week...... so, if you have not yet made an effort to dump your clutter, make a plan to drop off glass, paper, cans and plastic at your local recycling depot tomorrow. Also remember to do it all year round, and not only on this dedicated day!

Collect - a - Can is also asking folk to prepare an entire meal tomorrow making use of canned ingredients only......and then of course to recycle the cans! This may be a challenge for some folk, but I have the answer with a quick and simple seafood and tomato bisque. 

This simple recipe can be prepared with 3 cans..... or 6 cans if you are preparing a larger quantity.

 Here I have used a can of tomato and onion mix, a can of pilchards in tomato sauce and a can of tuna. 

To enjoy as  a soup, add prepared chicken or vegetable stock to extend the sauce. If you prefer to enjoy as a sauce for pasta, leave the sauce as is and serve over a bed of cooked pasta.

mmmmm and remember that the secret ingredient for any seafood dish is Lemon. I always zest some lemon rind into seafood soups and sauces.... it will simply lift the flavour experience. Enjoy!

...... or, enjoy as a light soup in Winter, Spring or Summer. You could even upgrade the ingredients by making use of canned Salmon instead of the Pilchards and Tuna.

While you are in the swing of recycling, remember to add any vegetable peels and pips to your compost heap, as well as the flowers from your table decoration once they are passed their best. Your garden will say thank you!

Remember that using recycled glasses and vases is a great way to propogate herbs. I always have some mint rooting in my kitchen and even bathroom. Fresh green mint makes a wonderful addition to any room in the house. 

Happy Recycling day.......... you will feel a lot better for the effort and the Universe will say thank you too!

Time to start preparing lighter meals......and countdown to Oktoberfest in Germany!

I know we ( here in Cape Town) have been moaning about the lack of Spring weather! Well, if the weather is not what we want, let us prepare food that will put a Spring back in our steps so that we are ready for the sunshine and warmer days when they arrive.

Start introducing fresh salads back into your diet.....and gradually allow them to take over one of your meal's of the day.

Make each and every meal special...... someone will appreciate your efforts, even if it is only yourself!

Always keep your eyes open for little surprises....... like the reflection here on the service platter.

While you are feeling upbeat and thinking of warmer days......think of those lucky folk who are in Germany in time for the Oktoberfest celebrations. The countdown has begun......3 days to go!
PROST and enjoy the culinary delights that accompany this wonderful celebration!

Dream on...... and make believe that you are there..... even if only in spirit! Cheers!