August 2018 Favourites List

In my Favourites List last month, I shared my impressions of going "on safari" for the first time. Since then, I've been trying to go through the many photos I took. I confess to having been completely snap-happy!

Going through my pictures, I am struck by how the wild animals of southern Africa all have a story. Sometimes that story is known by rangers and trackers. They can tell you all about the daily struggles and life story of some of the animals. Other times, the animals are recent visitors, mysterious and enigmatic. 

Powerful elephants roam around, sometimes devastating the bush, trampling trees or stripping them clean of leaves and fruit. Marula fruits are their favourites. These hungry giants have an inefficient digestive system, forcing them to roam. Yet they show their family group tremendous tenderness and loyalty. You can see how the baby elephants are looked after by all the females in the group. They all invest their time and care into the next generation, an amazing act of altruism. 

Cheetahs roam around, solitary and regal. Conserving their energy when there is nothing for them to hunt down. They'd beat Usain Bolt at a sprint hands down, moving with effortless skill. Yet, watch them try to climb up and down a tree and you see their evolutionary disadvantage; their claws, which cannot be retracted, render them clumsy at climbing. 

Families of warthog dig deep burrows, which they ensure they sleep in, facing the exit. Beware the predator who dares try to invade their home... they are in for a ferocious attack! 

My favourite group among these animals were the three little lion cubs. Cubs with an astonishing life story. Their dad died of old age, their mum was killed by other lions. Their sister took them on, with her brother. A highly unusual family group, the cubs play with their uncle and aunt with seemingly no cares in the world. They don't know there are other males in the area, who would dispose of them without a second thought. Their secret defenders are their other aunts, who sneakily keep the dominant males busy to prevent them investigating the local area. Who knew that big cats can show such self sacrifice, strength, tactical awareness and love. The odds are against them, but I am cheering them on. I hope you will too.

I hope you enjoy this second instalment of safari photos, taken on the edge of the Kruger National Park where there are a number of private game reserves and lodges. If you missed the first, you will find it here: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2018/07/july-2018-favourites-list.html

Now it is time for me to share my list of fab stuff for the month. I hope you enjoy it all, and do get in touch with your feedback on your safari experiences or on any of the items in this list!

Recipes - food, drink, quick cooks and no cook dishes: 

Chicken and spinach pasta from Jack Knight's food blog: https://jackknightcooks.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/pollo-florentine-pasta/

Pimm's isn't just for Wimbledon! Here's a classic Summertime Pimms and a Pimms Spritz from Fiona Maclean at London Unattached: https://www.london-unattached.com/pimms-perfect-summer-drink/

No cook salad with broccoli, daikon, cucumber and dried cherries. The dressing keeps for a week if you want to make up a batch. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/broccoli-salad-with-peanut-dressing

You might be a bit too hot to fire up the barbeque, but these Japanese inspired skewers by Tash of Food I Fancy remind me of Izakaya Yakitori sticks: https://www.foodifancy.com/chicken-and-leek-teriyaki

Too hot to cook? Here's a no cook Scandi style chopped salad with smoked mackerel: http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/scandi-chopped-salad

Chef Romy Gill's Bhindi Subzi (okra/ ladies' finger curry) - vegetarian and vegan): https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/recipes/romy-gill-okra-sabzi-recipe-cooking-instructions-a8470861.html

Marinaded lamb cutlets, with cannellini beans in a pesto dressing: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/quick-and-easy/lamb-cutlets-with-pesto-and-beans/

From the BBC series Eat Well For Less - Slow cooker lamb and Sweet potato tagine with couscous: https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/slow-cooker_lamb_and_79282

Nothing says Summer holidays to the Med like Paella! Felicity Cloake's Seafood Paella: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/aug/01/how-to-make-seafood-paella-recipe-masterclass

Want to make your own soft flour tortillas for tacos, burritos and quesadillas? Here's how: https://www.whereyougetyourprotein.com/tortilla-recipe/

Sometimes, the most effective recipes are the simplest ones. And the simplest, the most effective. Who's have thought simply dipping courgette juliennes in milk then rolling in plain flour, seasoned with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper could be so satisfying? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2990/courgette-fritters

Full of Spanish flavours, this prawn stew is a quick cook dinner. https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/fish-and-seafood/smoky-prawn-pepper-and-new-potato-stew/

School holiday cooking? How about Unicorn Poo Meringues? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/unicorn-poo-meringues

What you might have missed at Snig’s Kitchen:

Brand new recipe blog post - Sichuan inspired salad: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2018/08/sichuan-inspired-pepper-carrot-and.html

Film:

Spirited Away

Music:

Mojo and Trojan present "Reggae Nuggets" 
Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey/Garvey's Ghost

TV: 

Search Party (Season 1)
Search Party (Season 2)
The Carole King Story

Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links or recommendations.

July 2018 Favourites List

Hello everyone! 

I am writing this post having had a very exciting time travelling around southern Africa. Most exciting was my first ever Safari experience! Seeing the animals in their natural habitat was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done. 

My trip, during the UK’s Summer, was scheduled in the middle of the dry Winter in the area of South Africa at the edge of the Kruger National Park. This period of time is great for wildlife because the trees are bare, making spotting the animals easier. Also, a lack of water means animals are drawn to fewer waterholes, making the predictability of spotting wildlife much more reliable. 

I’ll confess, waking at 5am (or soon after), to get ready for a 6am game drive was something of a challenge. Early mornings are very much not my thing! Two cups of tea are required before I become a human being most mornings. However, something changes almost the second you make your first sighting. Suddenly I found myself feeling full of energy and wondering what I might see next.

Safari is an unpredictable and erratic experience. You go out morning and afternoon in the hope of seeing wildlife. Trouble is, they didn’t get the memo. Maybe you’ll see them, maybe you won’t. One day a Hyena den will be full of life, the next… completely deserted. Another night, leopards hunting, the next… no big cats at all. You get the thrill of the chase – but thankfully the only shooting which happens is with a camera. 

I hope you like my pictures from my trip. These splendid animals show such personality, I feel. They're almost calling on you to interact with them (not recommended!). With my pictures, I present my monthly collection of food websites (articles and recipes) and other cultural fun for your enjoyment. As ever, I hope you will dig in. Please do let me know if there's anything which particularly gains your attention in the comments below!

Food and drink articles and know how:

Chicken thighs are more flavourful than breast and stand up to marinading and grilling extremely well (they don't get dry and cardboardy). In case you were put off using thighs because of the bones, here's how you de-bone a chicken thigh!  https://www.bbc.com/food/techniques/how_to_bone_a_chicken_thigh

Looking for a new cooking inspiration? Kavita (of Kavey Eats) recommends Japan: The Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu. https://www.kaveyeats.com/2018/07/japan-cookbook-nancy-singleton-hachisu.html

How to pep up supermarket dips without having to make from scratch: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/15/revamp-supermarket-dips-recipes-hummus-taramasalata-ramael-scully

Chinese food often gets an outrageously unfair bad press. It's high time to stop demonising it. http://www.gal-dem.com/stop-demonising-chinese-food/

Aldi's £11 Monsigny Champers named one of the best - a genuine supermarket wine bargain! http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/food-news/aldi-champagne-in-best-in-world

 

Recipes: 

Felicity Jones will be playing kick-ass American judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg in a new film. Judge Ginsberg is more colloquially known as The Notorious RBG for her sassy judgments and unique take on the law. Here is a cocktail in her honour. All rise!  https://www.quartoknows.com/…/…/ruth-bader-ginsberg-cocktail

Lamb neck stewed with rosemary dumplings, to make the most of new season lamb:  https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/lambstewwithrosemary_90363

My local Turkish restaurant makes a fritter like this with carrot and courgette, served with a garlicky yoghurt dip. Carrot, sweet potato and feta fritters: https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/carrot-sweet-potato-and-feta-fritters/

Put the ingredients into tin foil, throw into the oven for 30 minutes whilst you cook the rest of your dinner. A low effort side dish to impress: https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/chef-recipes/foil-baked-mushrooms/

Lamb mince spiced meatballs with jewelled couscous by Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/08/thomasina-miers-recipe-spiced-lamb-meatballs-jewelled-couscous

 

Porterhouse steak with preserved lemon gremolata: https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/playboy-steak-with-preserved-lemon-gremolata

From indulgent potatoes slathered in dressing to a light Pimm's dressed Summer salad, here is a fab collection of 10 super tasty salads:  https://www.kaveyeats.com/2018/06/picnic-recipes-salads.html

Cool noodle salad for hot days. From Thug Kitchen, known as much for their great recipes as their colourful language! https://www.thugkitchen.com/sesame_noodles

Yotam Ottolenghi’s picnic recipes: Giant couscous with golden raisins, lemon and almonds, Grilled and marinated sandwich vegetables, Harissa-spiced tuna picnic cake: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/16/yotam-ottolenghi-picnic-recipes

Films:

The Post

Black Panther

I, Tonya

Music:

Call The Comet – Johnny Marr

ATOMOS – A Winged Victory For The Sullen

Mogwai - Every Country's Sun

TV:

TOTP Big Hits – 1985

TOTP Big Hits – 1986

Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links or recommendations.

Places to eat in Cape Town

Cape Town on the Western Cape of South Africa in the Summer is a wonderful place to visit. The fact their Summer coincides with the Great British Winter provides another fantastic reason for going, getting to leave the cold and grey behind! Sea, sunshine and sights are the treats you can expect to find, but perhaps you weren’t aware of the ridiculously high level of restaurant scene you find here. I was astonished at the range of great restaurants, the fabulous value for money, the superb selection of local wines and beer and amazing service. There are hundreds of great dining experiences to be had in Cape Town. This is my selection of my very favourite places. 

Chefs Warehouse

Chefs Warehouse is a foodies’ impossible dream; a cook book shop curated with love and care, a cooking implement store with genuinely great cookware, a deli with some of the world’s best ingredients available and a tapas bar with a difference. All under the same roof. No, I wouldn’t have believed you unless I had seen it with my own eyes, either! 

Daily tapas for 2 to share is served here, with nods to Vietnamese, Italian and Japanese food. The menu changes each day, based on which ingredients are at their best at market that day. The food here is without question some of the best I had in South Africa, truly world class. The dishes are cheffy and well presented without being self-indulgent. Chef Liam Tomlin is a cook book author with a great eye and innovative ideas. With luck he may broaden his horizons and consider a restaurant on the European continent! 

Snigdha meets Chef Liam Tomlin

(Please note that no bookings are taken here. You need to turn up and wait for a table. It is worth it!)

Chefs Warehouse

92 Bree Street, Cape Town 8001

+27 (0)21 422 01 28

Email: info@chefswarehouse.co.za

http://www.chefswarehouse.co.za/

Mzansi Restaurant

Located in Langa Township, this is a restaurant that feels more like being invited into someone’s home for dinner and a party.

Here is the “must know” information:

- You need to book, at least the day before, to come here. This is because the food is bought and cooked for the number of visitors.

- This is not a “walk-in” restaurant.

- There is no menu, the dishes are made according to what is good, and is served up buffet style.

If that puts you off, then it is your loss. Because Nomonde cooks fabulous traditional Xhosa food in this family restaurant she runs with her husband Ace, and once you’ve eaten, the fun begins! Nomonde tells you the story of how she set up and built the restaurant and its clientele (a fascinating insight into the recent history of South Africa) and then it is time to groove to the Marimba and Sax sounds of the house band. 













Dancing is not optional, and if you fancy, you can join in! My Marimba playing is rudimentary, but I managed to make a small contribution to the ensemble. 

Snigdha playing the marimba

Safe, friendly and fun, if you’re staying in Cape Town, you’ve got to try something different.

Mzansi Restaurant

45 Harlem Ave, Langa, Cape Town, 7455, South Africa
+27 21 694 1656
http://www.mzansi45.co.za/

La Mouette

Set up by English Chef Henry Vigar, La Mouette serves beautiful plates of “Modern European cuisine”; strongly influenced by French food with cheffy tweaks and inspired presentation. Fresh seafood is a staple here. 

I tried one of the tasting menus for the Festive season, and had a delightful meal full of surprises, colour and flavour. Each season, the tasting menu is changed to use the best of what is available, so my pictures may not represent what you would be served with. In the Summer food is served in the front courtyard, with comfy garden furniture and parasols making the dining environment a pleasant al fresco one, but there is attention to detail here; throws and blankets are available should the weather take a turn (the Cape Doctor is a fresh wind which can make an unexpected appearance!). Very good value for money, this is a place to treat yourself to food which competes with fine dining establishments in London at a small fraction of the cost.

La Mouette
78 Regent Road, Seapoint, Cape Town Central 8005, South Africa
+27 21 433 0856
http://lamouette-restaurant.co.za

The Black Sheep

Tremendously good value, The Black Sheep has a select daily menu lovingly hand chalked on two huge blackboards each day. All produce is local and seasonal. It has the feel of an informal gastopub, although the food is a lot more special. 

Booking is highly recommended, or you could have a long wait for a table. Loyal locals come here time after time for the diverse and imaginative dishes, extensive selection of wine available by the glass and friendly, enthusiastic service. 

I wish there was a place like this within walking distance of my house; being able to walk here from my Cape Town digs brought home to me how vibrant and superb Cape Town’s eating out scene is. 

The Black Sheep

104 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

+27 21 426 2661

http://blacksheeprestaurant.co.za/

Worth visiting:
Saigon Restaurant (Corner Kloof and Camp Street, Cape Town Central, South Africa)
Harbour House Kalk Bay (Main Rd, Kalk Bay, Cape Town, 7990, South Africa)
Kloof Street House (30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Central 8001, South Africa)

Snigdha has not received any incentive, financial or otherwise for posting these recommendations. All meals were paid for, fair and square.