Foods Heard Round the World

Have you some Belgian Fair World Wide whipped Waffles.
Eat some Israeli fake food cart Falafels.
Drink you some good Irish Whiskey, my son.
Turkish brand Coffee is Risky, by gun.
Have you a Fat Back Canadian Bacon.
German Potato be Salads a makin'.
French Toast a bread egg, be shaken and shaken,
French Fries and lard be a taken forsaken.
Chinese Soup Noodles a crispy and fryin',
Oodles and oodles be dyin' and dyin'.
Italian Hot Sausages shooting at Lie In,
Spanish Rice nice, go and try it and buy in.
English John Thomas need Muffins and eatin'.
Irish Land Stew be quite cheap and unbeaten.
German go Chocolate Cake Black Forest sweeten
The Polish and Sausage steal Kielbasa meetin'.
British and Gin be all stinkin' from drinkin'.
American Apple Pie soon throw the sink in.
French Maid Champagne drank short Mary Todd Lincoln.
Egyptian be Catch 22 Choco-cotton.
Irish and Mutton of sheep bloody rotten,
Australian Beef is just Venison stinkin'.
Japanese Fish is all raw and they slinkin'
From Chinese Good Fortune Cook. He History inkin'.
Welsh and do Rarebit of bread and cheese pie,
Swedish and Meatball, I try and they die.
Danish Fondue and no fork fit for I.
Russian made Vodka, they drink and they puke.
I ate a Southern Hush Puppy at Duke.
Puppies all die and the people rebuke.
Chinese White Rice was a gluten whale fluke.
English Tea Scones are quite good as they say.
Scottish Bag Haggis Sheep Pie stuffed their way
Is worse than an English Gut Tripe I do say.
I don't want World Wide War food anyway.
Indian Corn cannot feed proper pigs.
Irish Green Corned Beef Hash hate wigged Whigs.
Southern Mint Julep helps Derby Day Pigs.
Queens you begone back to Irish slave digs.
They're fit for nothing. Bomb Batten sail rigs.


August 19, 2007 Stephen Blumenkranz

Cafe Sofia, Greenside

Cafe Sofia is a new restaurant in Greenside. It is a Spanish Tapas restaurant with a few interesting main courses as well. They have 4 different Sangria 'cocktails'. We had the white Sangria (Sangria Sofia) which was very nice and refreshing. The wine list is limited but with a few excellent wines.

The menu is very well put together. They have a selection of twenty Sample plates to choose from. It will cost you from R99 - R200 depending on how many plates you choose. We had all twenty and that is was more that enough for 3 people. We could only manage 15 plates and decided to cancel the last five.

Then there is a Tapas menu with about 12 different plates. Then there is a main course menu, sandwich menu and then dessert Tapas.

I can honestly say that the food is really good. There were two samples that weren't to great but then again those were the type of things I don't normally like. Like Dolmades....... yuk, what is the deal with those things??? I just can't stand the taste or texture... eeuw!

We could not have dessert after all that food but it is actually a very simple menu. Dishes like chocolate and banana springrolls (with phyllo pastry) as well as cheeses with preserves.... nothing that really got my attention.

The owner is a typically European lady that takes no shit from anyone. She is polite and very good with the customers but she does not allow people to complain about silly things and I think there is nothing wrong with that. You need to stand your ground in this business because unfortunately the bigger half of South Africans are uncultured and think that they own the place if they spend R50!

Our bill came to R400 for 3 of us and that included 15 sample plates (and there is enough of everything for everyone to taste), a jug of Sangria Sofia, three cocktails and coffee. The coffee is really good and perfect to end a great meal. That is not bad at all and let me tell you we were stuffed! It is really worth a try!

Salad, salad and more salad! Quick and easy

PRAWN AND AVO SALAD WITH WASABI MAYO

(10 Portions)

SALAD
1kg cooked prawns, shells removed
1 packet mixed salad leaves
1 punnet Mange Tout (sugar snap peas)
1 avo, sliced and drizzled with lemon juice
2 tablespoons pickled ginger

Tear the salad leaves into smaller pieces and arrange it on a platter. Top with the peas.
Arrange the prawns and avo on the lettuce. Sprinkle with the pickled ginger.

DRESSING
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon soya sauce
1 tsp wasabi paste

Mix all the ingredients together.


You can serve the dressing on the side or you can dress the salad just before serving. Soya sauce is an important flavour in this recipe and it can’t be replaced with salt.


PRE PREPARATON
The salad can be assembled 2 hours before and dressed just before serving

Pancakes for a rainy day!

Pancakes!

Beat 3 eggs and 3 cups of milk together.
Sift 1.5 cups of flour with 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Mix the dry ingredients with the milk mixture.
Melt 0.5 teaspoon butter and add it to 1.5 teaspoons oil. Add this to the batter.
Add 1.5 tablespoons Brandy to the mixture and beat for a further 8 minutes.
Bake in a non-stick pan greased with oil.


Lemon and cinnamon syrup

100 ml sugar
100 ml water
5 ml cinnamon
Lemon juice to taste (2 teaspoons should do the trick!)

Cupcakes!

Chocolate cupcakes

Ingredients:
350ml sugar
190g butter
2 eggs
30g cocao powder
125ml boiling water
125ml milk
10ml vanilla essence
360ml flour
5ml bicarbonate of soda

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
Cream the butter and sugar together until light
Add the eggs one by one and mix well
Mix the cocoa powder and water together, add the milk and vanilla essence. Add all of this to the butter mixture.
Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the butter mixture.
Mix well
Spoon into cupcake/muffin pans and bake for about 20 minutes.

ICe with a mixture of melted chocolate and cream or a simple butter icing.
For the chocolate cream you can use 300g dark chocolate and 100ml cream. Heat the cream and add the chocolate. Leave to cool for a while or until it is thick.

For the butter icing you can use 250g icing sugar with 125g butter. Add the colourings or essences (flavours) of your choice.

You can make normal elegant cupcakes with this recipe or you can make bugs, frogs, flowers or anything fun.

This recipe makes 18 big cupcakes.

A new yummy snack. So sweet but no sugar no fat!!

Green Tree's Apple chips!

This is a fantastic new healthy snack that you can find at most Pick 'n Pays and a few other stores. You can find a bigger range at Fruits and Roots shops. I know you can get it in Joburg....not so sure about the other cities in the country.

It comes from China and is made with 100 percent fresh Fuji apples. The apples are then dehydrated to retain their natural flavour. No sugar, addictive and artificial coloring or fat added! And they do taste great.

You can find them in different flavours like vanilla, cinnamon or just plain. They come in 22g packets or bigger canisters (like Pringle's).

I found Pear chips as well as Peach chips the other day. Made the same healthy way.

They are really filling and can do as a fruit portion per day. It is really good for kids because it is all natural and they won't suffer from any hectic 'hyperactive' moments.........

Yum is back!!

Yes.... Dario and Dale is back with a cool new place in Rivonia. The decor is completely different from Greenside. It is funky! Rich! Green and Purple! But still vintage in a way.

The food is pretty much still Dario's stile of deconstructive cuisine. Very interesting and different. The menu is a bit bigger this time with a bit more to choose from than before. Some of the old favourites are back like the snails on garlic porrage as well as the sesame salmon but with a bit of a twist.

It is not too expensive. A main course can cost anything from R45 to R200. The wines are still very expensive, but it is good wines that you won't find anywhere else easely.

Yum Nostalgia is on the corner of 10th and Rivonia Boulevard. Just off Rivonia road. It is really about personal taste when it comes to Yum Nostalgia. Different people have different comments about the place. I had a fantastic experience and so did the people at my table.

Go try for yourself!

Something for everyone!

Tomato Tarts!

I've worked at a few restaurants where tomato tarts were on the menu. I find that this one is the best out of about 5 different recipes that I've made over the last 6 years!

(9 – 12 Portions, depending on size)

1 roll (400g) puff pastry
27 Rosa tomatoes, halved
60ml basil pesto
Parmesan shavings and fresh basil for garinsh
1 egg, beaten
10ml sugar
Salt and black pepper

Preheat the oven to 180°C
Cut the pastry into 9 or 12 equal squares (depending on the size that you want). Brush the squares with the beaten egg and place them on a greased baking tray.
Bake for 5 minutes or until the top starts to crisp. The pastry must still be raw inside.
Spread the squares with the basil pesto. Top with 6 tomato halves.
Season the tarts with the salt, pepper and sugar.
Bake for another 5 – 8 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
Remove from the oven. Top the tarts with the Parmesan and fresh basil.
Serve warm.

Soweto in the Suburbs!

Mama Tembo's, Greenside

I like having a good time at Mama Tembo's. The ambiance is very African, the cocktails are good and so is the food. The service is almost too good....the waiters can get a little annoying. They tend to buzz around their tables all the time.

The music is only African with mainly South African songs. It like a big shack in Greenside. They serve food from 10:30 AM till 10:30 at night. After that it becomes rather festive! People tend to get up and enjoy the music. It is a big favourite with the SA Celebs and film crews.

Mama Tembo's is on Glen Eagles Rd in Greenside. A main course will cost you up to R75. Drinks are priced like any other place....not cheap but not too expensive. They make a really good Mojito.

Visit the website at: http://www.mamatembo.co.za/home.htm

Tiramisu..... with something extra!

CINNAMON MERINGUE WITH TIRAMISU FILLING

(8 Portions)

MERINGUE

5 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 t vanilla essence
½ t cinnamon
1 t white or brown vinegar (I use brown)
One packet fresh or frozen raspberries and blueberries for garnish
Fresh mint or lavender for garnish

Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Add the sugar gradually.
Add the vanilla, cinnamon and the vinegar.
Line a large spring form tin with wax paper on the bottom and on the sides
Spoon the meringue mix into the tin and spread the mixture out.
Bake it at 100°C for 75 minutes.
Remove from oven and let it cool down. Turn it upside down on a serving plate once it is cold.


TIRAMISU FILLING

3 egg yolks
40g Castor sugar
15ml sherry
15ml Kahlua liqueur
180ml cream
20 Boudoir biscuits
125ml strong black coffee (1t coffee powder for ½ cup water)

Beat the egg yolks and sugar in a mixer until light and spongy
Add the alcohol.
Beat the cream until stiff peaks form.
Fold the cream mix into the egg mixture
Soak the biscuits in the coffee and place half of it in a dish
Add some of the egg mixture on top. Finnish with another layer of biscuits and the egg mix. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set

This can be made two days in advance

HOW TO ASSEMBLE

Spoon large dollops of the Tiramisu onto the meringue just before serving. Top with the frozen raspberries and blueberries and a few sprigs of lavender or mint.

Try it... it's o so yummy!

Comfort food! Quick and easy

CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE DESSERT

(10 Portions)

750g Creamed cottage cheese
1.140kg Caramel Treat
2 cups cream
3 boxes Romany Creams
2 Tblsp Tia Maria
¼ cup cold strong coffee
4 Tblsp finely sliced ginger in syrup
2-3 Tblsp crushed peanut brittle

Beat the cottage cheese and caramel treat until smooth.
Beat the cream until soft peak stage. Divide the cream in two and fold the one half into the caramel mixture. Beat the other half until stiff peaks form to use as decoration.
Crush the biscuits roughly. Mix the liqueur and the coffee together and pour it over the biscuits. Add the ginger and mix well.
Serve the dessert in one big bowl or individual glasses. Spoon some of the caramel mix into the glasses, top with some of the biscuit mixture.
Continue layering the two mixtures and finish with the caramel. Top with the remaining whipped cream.

Leave in the fridge to set for about 2 hours. Sprinkle with the crushed peanut brittle.

Col'Cacchio!

Here is a restaurant that I've been going to for years! My flatmate and I used to 'live' at the one in Cape Town for about 2 years. Then I came back to Joburg .....and no Col'Cacchio! So I went to the UK for a year and when I came back I was very happy to see ONE practically across the road from my house! What a bonus......! My mom and I can live on good Pizza and Pasta.

I've heard that this one at the new Worldwear Centre weren't so hot too start off with. I was informed that the managers had a bad attitude and the service was pathetic. Well it has a new manager now and it is back up to standard. The Pizza's are light and crispy. The pasta is so tasty and bursting with flavour. The service is quick and the waiters are friendly and clued up on what they serve! There are over 20 pizza's to choose from, a few pasta dishes and some salads. The desserts are your standard Italian stuff..... Ice cream, Ice cream and more ice cream!

They wine list is great with lots of top quality wines to choose from. It was great to sit outside in the Spring sun and just have a nice chilled Sunday lunch with the fam!

I have only one problem.... I am convinced that they have only one CD! It plays every single time that I go there (a lot). It is a nice CD....but come on! If you are there for longer that an hour it gets a bit annoying.

A main course will cost you anything from R30 - R90, drinks excluded. They are open from Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. You can check their website at: http://www.colcacchio.co.za/

Tsunami Seafood Emporium, Rosebank, Jozie

This restaurant is a definite yes for sushi lovers as well as Seafood fans! It has a huge menu to choose from and a very impressive wine list. This restaurant is renowned for its sushi chefs and specialist sushi bar that creates great sashimi , sushi and something different such as the amaAfrica maki.

We had a sushi platter with a variety of sashimi, nigiri, maki and fashion sandwiches as well as California rolls all filled and topped with lots of fresh fish (we don't do the cooked stuff when it is sushi time).

Don't forget the Tempura prawns and vegetables. The batter is extremely light and crispy and that is how it should be!

If you are not into the sushi thing there is some cooked seafood to choose from. You can have a variety of fish, crab, crayfish as well as a traditional seafood potjie.

The dessert menu did not really grab my attention and I must admit it was a bit of a let down. Nothing special..... But that is not why you go to a place like Tsunami.

Your food will cost you anything from R35 - R175 per person, wine not included.

A big plus for the workaholic is that Tsunami is a WiFi zone. So a great place for a light working lunch.

The restaurant is situated on the top floor in Rosebank Mall. The Roof Top entrance is the closest entrance. It is directly above Europa and Nescafe.

Pear Malva. A Classic with a twist!

Ingredients:

Sauce:
375ml cream
125ml butter
a pinch of salt
100ml sugar
15ml apricot jam
juice from on tin op pear halves

Batter:
30g butter
100ml sugar
1 egg
1cup flour
125ml milk
5ml bicarb
45ml apricot jam
20 ml white vinegar
1 tin of pear halves

Method:
Cook all the sauce ingredients together until boiling
Cream the butter and sugar until light in colour. Add the egg.
Add the jam
Mix the bicarb and milk together. Sift the flour. Add half the flour to the butter mixture, then add half the milk. Now add the last half of the flour to the mix and then the rest of the milk.
Add the vinegar and then the drained pears.
Pour the mix in a casserole dish (30cmx40cmx12cm will do or longer and not so deep). Pour half of the sauce over the top cover with foil and bake at 180 degrees C for 35 minutes. Remove from oven. Remove foil and pour the rest of the sauce over. Return to the oven for 15-20 minutes.

The pud should be golden brown and sticky. You can cut the pears in quarters if you prefer smaller chunks.

Serve a nice chunk with pouring cream. Custard will also work for the extreme sweet tooth's. This is great for those very cold Sunday afternoons.

Enjoy!

The Warehouse, Strijdom Park

What an alright place! I went there with some friends for a nice chilled dinner. Well it was pretty relaxing. The wine list was average with not too much to chose from. The menu is quite big.. with a lot to choose from. It is always nice if there is something for everyone.

The portions are HUGE (a little too big) but good value for money if you think about it. It is reasonably priced and it is cool for guys who are into the quantity more that quality thing! I asked for a medium burger and I got a well done burger. I kinda got the feeling that well done was all that they knew how to do.

My friends all smoke and I was impressed with the smoking area. The ventilation in the area is excellent and not once did the smoke bug me. It is a double volume restaurant so top marks for that! What made it nice and cosy is the fireplace just behind our table.....perfect for a cold windy evening!

I would definitely recommend this place to families and friends that are in the mood for a casual get together. I do not rate the food very high but the fact that you will find something for everyone is an added bonus for these type of occasions.

The Warehouse is situated on the corner of CR Swart drive and Freda drive.
Your meal will cost you around R150 per person including wine. Add about R35 if you plan on having 2 courses.

Contact details:
Tel: 011 792 9462

The ever so addictive Chocolate Chip Cookie

SO...I have a bit of a chocolate issue. I love it. I will be posting other recipes on here...soon.

This recipe is really good, crispy on the outside and chewy inside.

Ingredients:

150g butter

1/4 cup soft brown sugar (that is the dark brown sugar)

1/3 cup Castor sugar

1 egg yolk

1teaspoon vanilla essence (I use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, it is just so much better)

1.5 cup self raising flour

1 cup chocolate chips

Method:

1. Beat the egg, butter and sugars together until pale and thick. Add the essence and beat well



2. Add the flour and two thirds of the chocolate dots. Mix with your hands until you have a soft dough



3. Roll tablespoons full of the dough into balls. Press remaining chocolate chips on top of the balls.



4. Place on a lined baking tray allowing enough room for spreading.



5. Bake for 15 minutes @180 degrees C or until golden brown and slightly crisp on top.

Don't worry if the cookies are still a bit soft when you remove it from the oven, it will dry as it cools.

This batch makes 24 - 30 cookies. Enjoy!

They are great for those low days.

The Red Lantern, Boskruin

This is the best Chinese restaurant in the city! The food is awesome and always the same. If a restaurant can produce the same quality every time it's brilliant. You can't really get that these days. We've been going to this place for over 5 years now. The menu is huge and you will find something for everyone!

The Won Ton soup is one of my favourites. This is a clear broth with pork and prawn dumplings as well as some greens. The flavour or this is perfect! Then there is the Crispy Fried Beef. The beef is shredded and coated in well spiced cornflour. You can taste ginger and a slight hint of chili. Really good with some steamed rice. This is only one of the dishes we have....every time! Through the years we've tried nearly everything on the menu and they are all fantastic.

In true Chinese style, the decor was not really a issue for them. Very basic with a few paintings and some Chinese writing on the wall (the waiters can't even read it??)

Everything is relatively cheap. Soups start from R15 and mains are around R30-R50. The duck is a bit more expensive.

The language differences can sometimes get in the way of good service, but the waiters are always friendly and they always try their best.

You will find The Red Lantern at the following address:

no2 Boskruin village

Pres Fouche drive

Boskruin

Randburg

Tel: 011 792 5889

Go give it a try... you won't be dissapointed.

Chappies!

Do you remember those juicy chewing gum squares called Chappies. I was never really allowed to have them...... but I sooo did! They used to have a very intense grape flavour... so good. I am aware of the fact that it is not really food or a restaurant or a new gadget, but it is something that you chew (and used to swallow because I was told not to swallow them!) Yes, we were told not to swallow chewing gum because your insides will get blocked...... ya right!

I found a Chappie wrapper today! I remembered the 'Did you know' facts printed on the inside. These notes are actually quite interesting:

1) Did you know.. that when baby Kangaroos are born they are only about an inch long? That is

the same size as a queen bee. (I would love it if someone could confirm this??)

2) Did you know... in a 75 year lifetime the average person will have 200 colds each lasting five

six days or about 3 years in total.

3) Did you know... Everyday the heart pumps around 43000 litres of blood, enough to fill over

150 baths.

4) Did you know ... Your tongue print is just as unique as your fingerprints.

Interesting facts that I did not know! You must be thinking 'small things amuse small minds!'

Chappies are still very much around and I must admit I can't stand the sound of them being chewed!

Just thought I would hit you all with a blast from the past!

Paputzi's, Linden

I love this place. I spend so much time here. I started going to Paputzi's 10 years ago when it opened. I even worked there for two years on Saturdays to earn extra cash back in my school days.

You can have anything from breakfast to salads, sandwiches, filled savoury pancakes, quiche, soup, desserts/cakes as well as great specials that change weekly. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The place has a big back garden full of trees and birds. In winter a cosy fire waits for you.

Paputzi's is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Saturday. It is rather pricey but all worth it! It is perfect for a hearty lunch with a glass of wine, finished with a good cup of coffee.

You can find Paputzi's on 4th avenue Linden between 6th and 7th street.

Nice.

Nice is a little Bistro style restaurant on the corner of 4th and 14th street in Parkhurst. The menu ranges from breakfast to light salads , soups, panini's, homemade pies and yummy desserts.

The owner, Ian Ziervigel, is an absolute coffee genius and has even branded his own coffee beans. The Queen of the kitchen is Toni Scorgie. She whips up the delicious pies that are filled with fillet steak or hearty chicken and mushroom and don't forget all the fab cakes.

The rump and balsamic onion salad is divine and so is the Creamy Tomato soup. You can also have the salad toppings on Panini's.

This place is child friendly with funky kiddie breakfasts like the bunny rabbit breakfast. This is a slice of toast with a hole in the middle. The hole is filled with a fried egg. But beware kids that run around will be get a shot of espresso and a puppy!

The only thing that I don't like about Nice is that the waiters get a but too much. They tend to look after their tables a bit too much.

Prices range from R20 - R55 for a main course excl. drinks. Nice is open for lunch from Tuesday to Sunday as well as dinner on Thursdays and Fridays.

They are in the process of opening a new little bookshop next door where you can read while you have your coffee. They are also looking at hosting book club evenings on the first and last Thursday of every month.

Blog Make Over!

Welcome to my new blog! I have decided to delete the old one because I stopped using it. Mainly because all I ever did on there was complain and moan about stuff that is not important. So here is something new and refreshing. I go to restaurants A LOT so I am going to write a little review about all the restaurants that I visit. On the other days I will post a recipe or something else to do with food or even cool new products that are on the market.

You see... Food is my passion. I love cooking for friends and trying new things all the time. The minute I do it for money... I hate it. I don't mind doing funky cakes on the side, because that is fun and creative. I love making wedding cakes (not the plastic icing ones!), funky girly cakes and also kiddies cakes.

John Torode always told me: 'Relax! It is only food.'

You might not agree with everything that a write and if so comments are always welcome! I would also love to hear about places that you enjoy.. I am always looking for a new place to visit.

"We are all cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out."
-Ray Bradbury