Hi lovely blogger!

Geez like if you only knew how many times I’ve started writing a blog or thinking about getting back to it – but time wise it’s just been rather impossible. I think I’ve made a complete mind shift in the recent month – possible for the first time realizing the difference between a ‘more’ corporate job than what us 24.commers are/were used to.

I went to Durban last week for work – helping revamp the Salt Water Girl magazine sites, and I was truly looking forward to hitting spice shops, having some good curries and walking along the old beach front. The last time I spent a ‘proper’ amount of time in Durbs was probably 15-years ago – so excuse me if my image of the town is bit warped.

I love flying – I love the fact that it’s taking me somewhere, anywhere new – and I usually don’t have that many problems navigating myself around. Let’s just say I’m not afraid like some (men) to ask for directions. I was also quite happy when I saw my little buxom Chevy Spark – always wondered what it would feel like driving a dinky toy.

 (cute ain’t it)

Anyways I hit the N2 into town and follow the directions – that turned into quite shite directions to start off with. And of course I get so damn lost it’s not even funny, and I soon realise that travelling at 120 km’s in a dinky toy on the N2 is kind of like playing a computer game. You know one of those driving games, where the controls are usually shocking  and you know if you hit that concrete wall it will ‘n moerse smash-up.

So of course I end up in some factory district – nowhere near Argyle road, eventually nice mechanic points me in the right direction and I head into the city. Oh lordy – what was the city planner smoking when he/she designed the road system. I mean what up with all the damn one-ways. It’s like a maze – now you can drive – now you can’t… sigh. Of course after three days I found my way around town easily – but hell and damnation – twice I drove down a road, perfectly normal behaviour – hitting oncoming traffic out of nowhere. ONEWAY! Luckily I had a GP registration so they atleast they knew I’m not from around town.

So curries - did I have any? Did I finally make it to Beanbag Bohemia, Spiga D’Ora, Bangkok Wok or even some of the older joints to have a meal… No! I was too damn busy and by the time I got home I was just to tired to move.  However I did go try a mutton curry at curry joint close to the Spar in Florida rd and was horrible depressed because it was actually quite bad. No flavour – instead someone dropped a pepper pot in it and hoped that it will be so hot that we won’t pick up the taste….

That said I did have and insane fish curry at a Weigh to Eat in Long street 3 days before so may expectations might have been high. It’s a takeaway/buffet place of sorts, but I seriously am talking curling toes delicious – soooo flavourful and hot but not pepper hot. I go their religiously once every two weeks and load my plate with some breyani, dal, saffron rice, fish curry, mango pickle and basically any other interesting pickles/sauces I can try – these ladies don’t fool around when it comes to giving you a good food experience!

Back to Durban – what has happened to the town?

I remember this shiny city, the rides on beachfront, the Big Wheel shopping Mall of course. It was pumping back then – and now it’s all gone to pot. The Big Wheel is a rundown mall that I was too afraid to go into at night time. The whole beachfront is ramshackle –stuck in a time gone by. Even the large hotels looks like the need a facelift.

I’m also puzzled by the developments – especially around Ushaka. You have a new development of modern apartment blocks right next lane of beautiful old buildings that must have been part of the harbour ages ago. Wouldn’t it make more sense to renovate these properly and get people in than rather building massive apartment buildings that is has a desolate feel at night. As you’ll understand I’m way to curious – so I had to go drive around the city at night time and explore a bit.
I also went to yacht club – where I had a quick bite from Ali Baba and a beer that was for sure my foodie highlight – sad hey, for a foodie – next time I’m going to make a much bigger effort to hit the good foodie joints! I do love the fact that this section is not commercial, but unfortunately my personality will always look for potential. And while I was sipping an enormous Peroni draft looking over the harbour lights I just thought – this place could serious kick the V&A Waterfront’s ass if someone just spend a bit of money.

The 2010 stadium is also a site to behold – I almost crashed my little car when I saw it because I thought that a space shuttle has landed. The sheer scale of the thing is insane – I must admit I’m kind of fond of our 2010 salad bowl – it’s build on moderate human scale. However this thing is straight out of Mars – it’s bloody impressive and I stared at it for an hour – but YIKES it’s build right next to the SUPER TACKY Suncoast Casino straight out of a Miami, I mean no neon light in KZN was safe when this casino was build…

You might think me negative – but you see I used to LOVE(d) Durban – while I might not have visiteded it properly in the recent 10 odd years. I went there a lot when I was in school – and man was it fun. I also loved the markets, and all the smells – Durban used to have a different smell – mix between a different type of sea air that you get down there, holiday-fun with underlying  tones of spices, colours – definitely colours – if you know what I’m talking about – there’s a difference between the smell of a deep sari red/yellow than a dust grey. And that’s what it now smells like.

I think half of Durban’s charm is the strange road design, it’s cultural identity that blends a lot easier than most of the other big cities in SA, the history not only colonial – but that it has a sentimental place in most people’s hearts because it used to be ‘the’ city to have a holiday at…

Now I believe it just confused –  stuck between the 1970-90’s in desperate need of a little facelift to make herself feel a bit perkier and more relevant.

Thoughts? 

So I thought it best not to dissapear into obvliion –
afterall I love blogging but man have I been busy as hell.

So new job: scary – yup very scary after being so
comfortable for so long at Food24 it’s a bit of schock to be in an environment
so new and where the team member in team is ME.

Yes – my new boss – lovely ‘HIGHLY’ pregnant lady basically
was here for a couple of hours on my first day and basically gave me a crash
course and when I mean crash I mean CRASHHHH course on what I am supposed to do
while she’s gone.

While I can’t disclose it yet… it pretty damn scary but very
exciting to work on some of these projects. So I just laughed hysterically –
and said yes I’ll do it. Mean time back at ranch my head was spinning off my
neck. Now things have settled down a bit and I have a MUCH better idea what to
do – so keep your fingers crossed for my sake that I can hack it.

Now food wise:

I was at the Cheese Festival in Bienne Donne with 400 000 50
million-gazallions of other people. Geez Louise felt like I was in some weird
Survivor timewarp where the cheese was the grand prize. People actually elbowed
their way to the front it was just unpleasant. And then when we finally got out
of the cheese secti – there were MASSES of people outside, I couldn’t even see the
green on the grass outside. I suggest STRONGLY that they start limiting the
tickets because they won’t see me again. I also saw Katrien there with the
lovely Fin (no it’s not her boyfriend… her friend’s son. Damn cute boy!)

I also met an incredibly snobby German/Swiss cheesemaker man
from Tulbagh that gave me a little dress down about me ‘daring’ to buy
Ladysmith’s new Ladysmither.

“I doon’t understand yu people. Dyou come to zies festival
and buy zies Ladysmith cheese… unbelievable.”

To which I replied well if I could find your fancy cheese in
my local supermarket without having to use a creditcard because it so damn
expensive I would but it not…. Now is it?

(His cheese was amazing but his attitude sucked!)

I also went away for the long weekend and rediscovered my
CAVEWOMAN – yes indeed. I went with a couple of pals to a mountain cabin in Du
Toitskloof. Lovely – I tell you – but wet wet wet. However I was the
firestarter for most of the weekend and whipped up a fab potjie one evening and
even got the girls to make stok brood. Loads of fun for the two foreigner who
came along. They had loads of fun and ended up sticking Top Deck Choclate into
the dough and then moulding it around a stick – Very funny our experiment was
call CHOC COCKS he he.

the potjie queen at work

I also yesterday celebrated my year anniversay with my loved
one – crapsticks yes it’s been a year and even the weather at the moment reminds
me of the first time we met. Bloody hell time flies… anyways – we were suppose
to go to Maze I had to work late and did not really feel dressy enough so we
went to Anatoli’s in De Waterkant instead. I must admit that I was super
chuffed – love the atmosphere in the place, from the tiles, kitchen set-up to
the huge fire and of course the meze presented to you on large trays – was love
at first site. I am addicted now to the Efes Turkish beer – delicious hoppy
beer.

Now for all the mother’s hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day
– I’ve decided to break the bank and buy my mother and moerse expensive bottle
of perfume… (hope she likes it!)

xx miss you all

Hi everyone – we changing the editorial blog spot. I am out of here tomorrow (sigh) and thought it best to keep you in the loop. xx

I must admit that even for a hardcore beach fan like me – I was quite happy with a bit of rain and cosy weather this weekend. I pigged out Royal Style – basically camping out at home with DVDs and cooking up a storm.

Thursday the ‘going away’ drinks started with a SWING  – and there are quite a few to come. It was also my day for a farewell newsletter that I found quite sad and depressing… sigh. Anyhoo so we kicked it off with Dirty Martinis at Beluga. I love a dirty martini – I am not sure if it’s the olives or the savoury nature of the drink but I LOVE it.
Here’s a recipe if you want to make it yourself:

• 2 1/2 shots Vodka
• 1/2 shot of brine from cocktail olives
• 1 shot extra-dry Vermouth
• four pitted green olives
• (remember to shake or stir)

Afterwards we went to Geisha’s new lounge opening where we had some fabulous dim sum and of course loads of bubbly. By now both Cath, Kerry and I over shared way too much for our own good… believe me you’ll always get some REALLY interesting answers when you ask someone what they would ask the Genie if they had three wishes after TOO MANY drinks…

Let’s just say that Cath has an unhealthy obsession with looking like Gisele Budchen… but then who wouldn’t.

(no so sure about sitting naked on a horse …. eeewh)

I then left the two lushes and went to meet some friends at Pepenero and proceeded to stuff my face with their delicious Half Price sushi special. My poor-poor friends had to listen to me talk too loadly and mope a wee bit.

Friday of course I woke up with a rather enormous hangover that I cured with a pub lunch at Vasco’s Tavern down the road from our office. Might just go back to sit at the retro bar and have a Kilkenny on tap when my stomach is a bit stronger. The evening I passed out infront of the TV – how original.

Sat – woke up to lovely rainy weather and saw myself quite happily in bed for the rest of the day. However my friends had other plans so off we went to Kalk Bay for a scenic day out. We stumbled onto a little coffee/deli style cafe off the main rd called C’est La Vie. Keep this place a secret – because it’s fab. Great sour dough breads, very simple menu of delicious breads and baked goods and most importantly – it’s so LESS IS MORE. Simple presentation, no fuss and delicious coffee.

Of course I felt rejuvenated by three cups of coffee and delicous food and we decided to head out to Cape Point. I honestly cannot remember ever going there, so this was a treat for me. I must say I found the entrance money quite steep – R60 and the little map they give you has almost no information on it. I’d love to know more about where the names of the bays comes from like ‘Gifkommetjie’ or ‘Platboom’. We parked off at Cape of Good Hope and hiked around to the Point. I really wanted to see Dias Beach up close. Can’t wait to park off there on a summer’s day.

Here’s me sitting  ‘close’ to the point.

When we got home I was FREEZING so I told the gang to stay and I made them my Mom’s onion chip and Country Sausage soup. (Ok rather my version of it.)

While growing up my mom used to make this soup alot – she got the recipe from a German friend. I changed it a bit with this and that since you don’t get Onion flavoured chips anymore.

Ingredients
Bag of Pickled Onion flavoured chips (only suitable flavour I could get and yes I know it’s chips in soup – just trust me)
One packed of Country Sausages/Chorizo
Patty pans (punnet)
Onions
Garlic
Lemon juice
Honey
Seasoning
Onion powder stock – I used Ina Paarman
fresh chilli

Method (if you’re interested)
I first browned the onions with the sausage in a big pot with some olive oil and garlic. Then I tossed in the sliced up patty pans cut into reasonable chunks so they don’t disintegrate in the soup. I then asked a friend to crunch up the chips as fine as possible. This I tossed in with onion powder I mixed with some boiling water to make a nice stock. Then I leave it all to simmer away for and hour or two while having a sip every now and then seasoning as I go along. I like a bit of lemon juice for a zing and the chilli for a little bite.

We then all passed out in front of the TV watching horro flieks.

Sunday
I missioned to Garden Centre to buy ingredients for a Sunday roast where I saw Wots for Lunch. Lovely to see you!
I promised my friends that I’ll break my chicken ban for the roast since they’ve all been craving chicken and I’ve been on a chicken ban on and off for almost a year and a half (long story:-).
Anyhoo I promised to make my best imitation of Jenny’s bread (she made at our food24 demo vid session) – that came out smashingly. (So easy!)

I am not an exact ingredient kind of girl and with this recipe you don’t need to be.
Jenny’s bread
Self raising flour (medium pack)
One sachet dry yeast (check the expiry date please!)
Water (about 500ml)
Olive oil
salt
Stuffing
Fresh Sage
Baby spinach leaves
Feta (yes I know – but this recipe actually works with feta)
Red onions
Shiraz salt
Parmesan infused olive oil

Method
Easy peasy – Mix your flour with dried yeast, twist of salt – add water and nice glug of olive oil until you have a nice dough. I used a fork and then I use my hands to kneed and mix it into a nice not too tight dough.
Then I cover my little bundle of joy up and place her somewhere warm to rise in peace and quiet. Probably after an two hours I kneed it down and then flattened it out in a thick-ish sheet. I then placed some torn sage, baby spinach leaves in the middle, with big chunks of feta, red onion sliced up and drizzle of olive oil. I then brought the two ends together to make a nice little bundle of joy sliced the top end with slits and stuffed some more delicious things in the slits. The I patted her down with some olive oil and Shiraz salt and popped her in the oven for maybe 30-40 min on 200 degrees C. (thanks Jenny!)

Went smashingly with the chicken and roast veggies – who know I might just start eating chicken again. However this one was free range, had the best possible feed and hopefully had a happy life.

Ok – now back to the last tasks – crazy how much stuff one assembles on your PC over 2 years. Here’s to my last week at Food24 may it me lovely and not too sad!
xx

50 of the world’s best food blogs

Change the way you cook and eat for ever with Times Online’s guide to the world’s tastiest food blogs

24.com Blogging Workshop

As the huge surge in
blogging creates a battle for readers, 24.com brings you a writing workshop
aimed at showing you:

-      
How to
create a fresh and distinctive voice;

-      
How good
writing can help you win hearts and minds;

-      
How to
focus your writing to appeal to a specific audience;

-      
What
journalism can teach bloggers about writing;

-      
Blogging
trends in South Africa and Africa;

-      
How to
attract readership;

-      
How to
promote your blog;

-      
How to
make money from blogging;

-      
How to
build community through content.

For more information
or to book your seat please email Ntokozo Yingwana at  Ntokozo.Yingwana@sa.24.com.   NB

-      
we’re
only able to accommodate 50 bloggers,

-      
and
at the door there’ll be an entry fee of only R50 (just to cover refreshments
really)

Agenda:

About the workshop
leaders:

For more information
or to book your seat please email Ntokozo Yingwana at  Ntokozo.Yingwana@sa.24.com.  

AND

Sorry
– one last thing. Could you please also mention on your editorial blogs this
week our Blog Awards’ Dinner, also happening this coming Saturday. Our judges
will be announcing the overall blog winner, who’ll walk away with R5000.

These
are our finalists (the blog winners in each category):

The
details of the event are as follows:

Date:              
Saturday 18 April 2009

Time:             
7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.

Venue:           
The Pasta Factory

                       
            2c Park Road (off Kloof Street)

                       
            Gardens

Dress:
            Smart Casual

RSVP:
            By Friday 17
April 2009

A cash bar will be available.

We’re
opening invitations to the first 20 bloggers who RSVP, so please emphasize that
it’s first come first in. But I need the RSVP latest Friday. Once again,
thanking you in advance. Enjoy what’s left of your day.

And the winners are…

AND SA’S QUIRKEST RESTAURANT WINNERS ARE…

 In an unconventional twist on traditional food awards, Food24 invited readers to nominate and vote for the nation’s most idiosyncratic eateries in the first-of-its-kind Quirky Restaurant Awards. Judged on their sexy looks, celeb-magnetism, crazy curries or trendiest toilet, 60 restaurants from Jo’burg, the Mother City and Durbs were judged between January 26 and February 26, 2009.

Restaurants were nominated for four tongue-in-cheek categories. Voted for by 8500 Food24 readers, judging criteria were as strict as a head chef. The categories and corresponding winners were:

The Dish Award: With their bevy of they-must-be-models staff, stylish-as-a-movie-set Rhapsody’s in Menlyn, Pretoria was the runaway winner.

The Whoo-hoo-loo Award: Thomas Maxwell’s offbeat outhouse stole the crown for the best royal throne. Fit for a king or queen, this Parkmore eatery took home the Who-hoo-loo award for its out there lavatory.

The Chja Chja Chja Award: Inducing the most feverish of sweats, The Curry Palace in Ferndale was the undisputed Chja Chja Chja winner.

The Paparazzi Award: The Mother City’s sunshine strip hang-out Caprice is where all the A-listers (and others who go to mingle) party. Sharing its name with the luscious supermodel, this hottie scooped the Paparazzi prize.

Hallo – happy Monday everyone.

Congrats to Jeanne from  cooksister.com who took two tops spots and Tongue Tickle and Nina who also got a mention in the SA blog awards.

I’ve also got some news – April will be my last month at Food24. Yes – I know – geez like it! Am I crazy leaving this job or what ha ha. 

It’s been two plus amazing and very interesting years here at Food24 but I need a little of a breather from this baby of mine. We were attached to the hip for quite some time now and I am sovery proud of growing it with our team from 40 000 visitors to a wopping 130 000 people. And now we’re also redesigning FINALLY.

I am still very involved in the redesign and will keep you posted on any changes. Let me tell you that for two years that’s all I wanted to do – because we could do so much more with this old lady. But I think some new blood might just be what she needs. I am not going into the whole spiel about how much I love all of your blogs and your very interesting personalities – because that would just make me way to sad. So I’ll keep that for a final farewell and have a good sob session when I write it.

I am also looking forward to blogging more easily and freely in the future – so I’ll definitely keep my blog or maybe even start fresh. I’ll also still be involved in online editorial this time just more with magazines so I’ll still be around – and as you know ONCE A FOODIE ALWAYS A FOODIE.

Now chin chin to me and I am hoping to a have a fabulous last month with your lovely people!

So yesterday we spent the whole day Jenny Morris’s studio in Bree Street – doing Food24 new video segments. It went smashingly and I learned so much while watching the super professional Jenny strut her stuff and make delicious food while giving great tips in between.

 

This is all for the new redesign for Food24 where will be showcasing some DIY vids and hopefully get that whole multi-media angle working much better. Because any foodie worth their salt knows that a visual stimulus makes a enormous difference when talking and reading about food.

I’ll keep you posted on when these videos will be showcased – going to be very exciting and best of all the food will be easy to make and delicious.

Carne – New Pink Pongraz

I also went to launch of Pongraz’s new Pink Bubbly at Carne. 95 Keerom in the city centre sister ‘meat’ restaurant. 95 Keerom is one of my favourite restaurants in Cape Town and I can write a short story about their butternut ravioli. Thursday night all and sundry in the food journo world was there and it was a lovely evening. If you are a Pongraz fan then their new sexy pink number won’t dissapoint – almost like giving the trusty Pongy we all love a sexy little makeover. Carne is an Italian ‘meat’ restaurant – with a very designer/sleek interior. We had a ‘set’ menu for the evening – and while I must admit that my steak was rather tough and sinewy – the lamb ravioli was EXEPTIONAL. The ravioli dough is so light and the lamb filling is flavourful, spiced to perfection. I’ll go back just for that. The menu isn’t over priced for this type of restaurant that definitely doesn’t pretend to be average. While I found the ‘basement’ like interior of the dining area a bit cold (wondering how they’re going to heat it up in winter) it’s definitely worth a visit. (Take some friends, have some Pongy in the beautiful bar and then lushes bottle of red with THAT ravioli!)

Stellenbosch Sunday

(Eaglevlei)

I also went to Stellenbosch on Sunday to take a closer look at Stellenbosch marketing itself as a ‘Child friendly’ destination for Sunday afternoons. I’ll dedicate my newsletter to it tomorrow – Stellenbosch has come a VERY VERY long way from my days as a student there. There is such a warm coffeeshop culture in the town and boy have they zhooshed up the whole area around Kerk street. We had lunch at Eaglevlei and if you are a mother with children under the age of 12 – BOOK now! They have a lovely lawn, giant jungle gym, gorgeous grown-up interior and menu for grown-ups and most of all a management that doesn’t care if you’re kids run around in the restaurant.

Have a happy Wednesday!

Cook – a – long with Simonsberg