Rad Radishes

We just couldn't resist this beautiful bunch at the supermarket. 

We just love these little pink root veggies! Super healthy and easy to grow yourself, here are some radish tips:

• Slice or dice fresh radishes into salads for a peppery crunchy flavour.
• Marinate sliced radishes in vinegar and sugar for at least 20 minutes to make a delicious burger topping.
• Store radishes (trimmed of their greens) in a plastic bag in the fridge. Only eat them when they are firm and hard to the touch.
• Bake par boiled sliced radishes in the oven for radish chips.
• Serve radish quarters as crudités with a creamy herb dip.

For some more info on radishes, click here.

Spring and Secretary’s Day Gifts

There is plenty to celebrate in September! The 1^st is Spring Day *yay*, finally some warmer weather and blossoms abound J and 5 September is the day to thank all the special Secretaries that make life so much easier for so many bosses out there.

Click here for our Spring and Secretary’s Day selections.  

Arabian themed 21st

Last weekend we catered for Shani’s Arabian themed 21^st. The room was decorated with colourful paper starts, candle filled lanterns, palm trees, floor cushions, low tables and hookahs – absolutely stunning! This warm atmosphere set the scene perfectly for the menu: spiced aubergine dip, chickpea curry, lemony meatball tagine, couscous, chilli hot chocolate, fresh dates and Turkish delight.

It was a fabulous evening of fires, belly dancing and celebration – happy 21^st Shani!

PS LekkerBek does décor too J, click here for more info.

Guest Post: Wirie’s Tastes from Turkey

Istanbul… City of sultans, mosques and palaces surrounded by The Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Marmara Sea, with one foot in Europe and one in Asia.

Real foodies always rent apartments with kitchens so that they can really experience the cuisine of a country. Within an hour after settling into our new home I go hunting for the “Carrefour” (supermarket) and it’s definitely not a foodie paradise, but good enough to stock up on the basics. We find the local food quite bland, the basic ingredients being mince, tomato, onion, garlic, peppers, lemon and parsley with a dash of cumin and cinnamon.

The best produce is to be found at their veggie shops. Gorgeous blood red tomatoes, sweet onions, peppers of every shape and variety, figs and peaches the size of tennis balls. The juice shops have juicy oranges and pomegranates to die for. Nuts are in abundance; walnuts the size of apricots and every type of dried fruit in full colour. A must is their pistachio baklava, and a variety of Turkish Delight – locally called “Lokum”.

Oh by the way…..contrary to popular belief, they are a nation of sweet tea drinkers, not Turkish coffee drinkers!

Delicious fat olives, sweet tomatoes, onions & bread.

Colourful little restaurants in noisy alleys.  

Olives in every colour, shape and flavour. 

Amazing fresh produce.

Saucy meat dish covered in grilled cheese. 

Fresh mussels on the street.

Beautiful Pomegranates. 

Cooking in the apartment.

Juice bar.

Marinated Olives Recipe

We did find one gorgeous deli/restaurant with a display of olives and cheeses that was mouth-watering. That inspired me to make this olive mix, gorgeous with your sundowners or as pre-meal snack.

Take handfuls of olives. Any kind; black, green, calamta, stuffed with pimento,  whatever you have available.

Mix the olives with some freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil, season with a touch of black pepper.

Add walnuts (or pecan nuts), sun dried tomato, haloumi cubes, chopped red chilli and sprigs of fresh rosemary.

For an South African twist add Peppadew Sweet Piquant Peppers.

Serve with crusty bread to mop up the sauces.