Croissant Bread and Butter Pudding with Chocolate Chips & Pecan Nuts

We don’t always think of different foods as being in or out of fashion, either a la mode or dastardly dreary. But maybe, like me, you’ve been quietly pleased to see a few good old fashioned staples getting a bit of a facelift lately? Real classics like Bread & Butter Pud, and the ultimate in comfort food, Rice Pudding, have both been in the spotlight, and I just couldn’t ignore the proverbial bandwagon. So coming up are my twists on two classics… (check back for the rice pudding soon)

WIN two VIP tickets to the gorgeous Mastercard Bubbly Festival in Joburg on Sunday

Hello lovelies, more specifically, lovelies who reside in Jozi…

I have two tickets (worth R2,000 each I might add *gasp*) to give away to the Mastercard Cap Classique and Champagne Festival on Sunday. I’m going too, and I can’t wait – I love me some bubbles I do.

So go on, read all about it and find out how to win.

Potato and Dill ‘Flinis’ with Smoked Salmon and Red Cavi-Art

If you’re looking for a classy canapé (that is also a doodle to make), then this, is that. Your veritable ‘canapé queen’, if you will. The light and fluffy potato ‘flini’s’ are complimented beautifully by the woody smoked salmon. And then the punch of freshness from the bursting bubbles of cavi-art? Party in your mouth.

Oh, and I say ‘flini’ because they are not technically blinis, which are a traditional Russian pancake-style snack usually made with buckwheat flour, and nor are they pancakes, or fritters, so they are faux-blini’s, and they make me smile.

Mini Pitas, with Red Pepper Hummus and Chorizo & Avocado Salsa

This is, in fact, hardly a recipe at all, but rather an ‘assemblage’ of sorts. A top notch Tapas assemblage, but an assemblage none the less. But oh boy it’s got guts. The Red Pepper Hummus from our friends at Mediterranean Delicacies is the real hero of the dish, and is oh-so-nicely backed up by the punchy Chorizo and Avocado salsa. This is real feasting food, for feeding people you love.

Once, ‘bitten.’ – Twice, on the Telly?

Well friends, it seems that the whispers have now built up into a din and that a TV show could soon, maybe definitely, be the case. The story goes something like this… (with a  precursor of months of if’s and buts and big fat maybes)

[Get straight to the good stuff and TV pilot HERE]

Smoked Snoek Terrine with Rustic Parmesan Bread Rolls

There is always something profoundly satisfying about eating home made bread rolls. Which is fascinating really, because they’re so crazy-easy that it makes no sense that we should be so smug each time we tuck into a fresh-from-the-oven doughy delight. But, we do. And I for one don’t see the novelty wearing off anytime soon. And when said fresh-from-the-oven doughy delight is paired with this beautifully light but rich Mediterranean Delicacies Smoked Snoek Terrine, the result is kind of amazing. I am pretty sure you’ll have no trouble scoffing the spoils of your kitchen labours if you give this a whirl.

Linguini with Coriander Pesto and Chilli Calamari

If you know anything about me at this stage, it’s that I get super uber excited about delicious quick-fixes, and that I could live on linguini for the rest of my days and be as happy as a pig in, well, a pen (?!). Anyway, when the fab foodies over at Mediterranean Delicacies sent a little hamper my way this weekend, I couldn’t wait to get started on sharing my new ideas with you. This linguini with the fresh Thai-style zing of the coriander pesto, and the juicy, spicy calamari is, well, epic.

Pasta Shells with Roasted Beetroot, Goats Cheese & Fennel

Yes, I do rather love beetroot. Sorry if you are feeling somewhat un-enamoured by that fact (it’s a word on this blog it is), and sorry too if you think I should change my blog’s name to ‘afoodieliveshere, and she only eats beetroot’. You see, I keep buying these bulk bags of it, and well there’s just always MORE. But this, well this dish is just beautifully simple and the earthiness of the beetroot lends a whole new dimension to the end result.
Also, with it being meat-free Monday and all, that means that I can once again point a surreptitious finger in the general direction of my soap box, and my MFMonday ramblings…

Spiced Fig Ice-Cream

Yip, hear me say figs poached in red wine and spices and then, yes, mixed into a light and fluffy ice cream. And the result? Our sublimely summery best friend, the voluptuous anti-depressant that we all know and love that is ice cream, takes on a whole new persona, and you’re left with a symphony in your mouth. In short, fresh-faced and pretty fabulous.

Red-pepper Pesto Chicken Strips with Barley & Feta Salad

This isn’t necessarily a ‘knock your socks off’ kind of meal, it’s not necessarily going to be something that you suddenly want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, but it’s beautiful in its simplicity, unassuming and un-fussy, and packs a generous punch in the flavour department, so what’s not to love? Oh, and besides being almost über healthy, barley is one of the cheapest staples out there, so if you’re feeding a crowd, this is where it’s at.