Kitchen Diary

For my dear friend Griet 
(& her sister Fatlady )

Thinking of you & praying for comfort for both of you

With all my love,

browniegirl xxx

It’s been a rather busy weekend in the brownie household. Thank you very much to everyone for all the birthday wishes for SD…she had a wonderful day and the party was lovely. Guests were welcomed with either a Kir Royale or a Blue Lagoon cocktail. I was putting the finishing touches to the cake as the first guests started arriving. On the food tables were French breads with chicken liver pate, cheese boards with a selection of cheeses, crudités with hummus, roasted paprika potato wedges with Moos Hot Chilli Jam, Cherry Bombs, Butternut & Feta Quiches, Salmon Mousse with crackers, Marinated Olives with Sundried Tomato & Feta Cheese (Divine if I may say so myself), Smoked Mussels & cream cheese on water biscuits, mini fish bites, sausage rolls & samoosas, chipolatas with Moo’s sweet tangy mustard dressing & numerous dips & crisps. Thankyou SIL for all the help you gave with the catering. Couldn’t have done it without you!!
The birthday cake was Moo’s Death By Chocolate and I made two of them….just as well as they were both eaten up in no time……everyone declared it the best cake they have ever eaten and I got 2 orders for next year from guests who will be having big birthday bashes….so that cake really speaks volumes about itself.

Moo’s Death By Chocolate Cake

We decorated the big room with fairy lights and oodles of candles, (so in fact we had 2 Earth Hours hehe….), purple, silver & yellow helium filled balloons and some of SD’s favourite flowers….Roses & Sunflowers. The mood was set by nice music playing at just the right level of sound so no-one had to shout to be heard….dont you just hate that??? Everyone present were people that have meant a lot to SD over the last 30 years. They all seemed to enjoy the evening very much. Brownieboy made a touching speech about his precious girlie while mommy swallowed the lump in her throat, and we all raised our glasses to toast her. Ty sang the loudest when it was eventually time to bring out the cake and sing Happy Birthday. He was very impressed when his mommy blew all her candles out in one go ) Mind you, I didn’t put 30 candles on the cake…………it was all pure chocolate and I didn’t want any serious melting going on hehe!!! My 2 kidlets slept over with us that night as SD & SIL had to leave early yesterday for a wedding in Somerset West. Tyler had a wonderful day full of fun with his Papa at the Navy Festival while I stayed home with Baby Jay. I have a dose of flu that I am trying to nurse and get rid of quickly!! Then last night Ty and his daddy had a camp-out at his pre-school so SD & Jay slept over here with us…So in effect………….Jay spent pretty much the whole weekend here….he was so cute and good and our time together was a laugh a minute due to his clown like antics (although he had refused to go to sleep while the party was happening and it was Nan to the rescue eventually – I had visions of him carrying on all night HAHA!!) BUT….there is a reason that young people have kids and not grannies my age ….I am pretty wiped out!!! So tomorrow will be my official day of rest…….although I have taken it very easy today another day off will do me good )

I do hope you lot all remembered to switch off last night for Earth Hour…..it was disappointing to look out of the window at around 9pm and to see so many lights on in our sleepy little village. Anyway, brownieboy, SD & myself set up a little candle light picnic for ourselves with some of the party leftovers…butternut & feta quiche, teensy sausage rolls, crackers & cheeses, salmon mousse, vier neefies (Four Cousins Rose Wine for my English speaking readers ;o) All tooooo yummy!!!

Our Earth Hour Picnic

Here are some photos from my weekend……….you will note that among them are no photies of the hot foods…..while they were being taken out to the table from the oven I was lying on the bed with Jay and trying to get him to sleep…..by the time the sandman carried him away and I managed to sneak out of the bedroom back to the party with my trusty camera…….too late!! Everything was half gobbled and in disarray!! So you will just have to take my word for it that it was all there and very delicious…..

 
Jay was fascinated by the flashing fairy lights

My Gorgeous  IT Son & his girlie

Oh! And BTW for those who are following Baby Jay’s progress with interest, he had his check up at Red Cross Children’s Hospital on Tuesday. The opthalmologist is very pleased with him, she says that the congenital cataracts have not grown and remain stable for now. So she will see him again in another 6 months. She is hoping to delay the date for surgery until such time that Jay can tell her how much he can actually see, but preferably before school going age. She was delighted to see his progress with normal growth milestones and she was also very happy to see that he CAN see some. We don’t know quite how much.

Have a delicious week everyone,

browniegirl xxx

PS  Dinx asked me to let everyone know that she was leaving for the USA this afternoon. Unfortunately she could not get around to say cheerio to everyone as she planned to do as her telephone line went down again last night. Bon Voyage & safe travel Dinx, & happy familying. Hope all goes well with the wedding & also the birth of the new baby. Exciting times )

Today is also the birthday of 24.com’s very own award winning food blogger & finalist in the SA Blog Awards

 Tickle

May your day be as special as you are and may you be abundantly blessed today and always….

 
a little Moo cuppicake just for you

Much love and hugs

browniegirl xxx

On this day, 30 years ago, brownieboy & I were immensely blessed with the gift of a beautiful baby girl……..today we will celebrate her life and give grateful thanx for her.

 
This be moo today

May God bless you richly in the years ahead. Thank you for being the lovely daughter, grand daughter, friend, wife, mother, sister & young woman that you are. Your daddy and I are proud of you & we love you, unconditionally and forever!!!

Enjoy your party,

Moo xxxxxx

ps……no blogging for busy me today…party to organize, catering to do, cake to decorate…you get the picture I’m sure hehe…..
Have a delicious weekend blogland
browniegirl xxx

DELECTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH SIMONSBERG CHEESES & MARLENE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

Today a group of 24.com food bloggers and readers/winners from Die Burger all gathered in the historical heart of Green Point Village at the Food Studio, chef & author Marlene van der Westhuizen’s cookery school for a unique cheese & food experience.

My morning started with meeting Saffron, from Cinnamon blog, at Giovannis for a cup of coffee and a little getting to know you!! What a lovely lady she is. I love reading her blogs, yes I do read her Afrikaans blog,  toorkombuis , as well!! After our coffee we dillydallied a bit round Giovanni’s deli and purchased a few items for our pantry shelves that are not regularly available at the supermarkets ) Watch this space……Yep, Im a happy chappy!!!

Once we had negotiated the narrow little roads through Green Point Village to get to the studio and found some parking we made our way to what turned out to be a very interesting house, very tastefully decorated with period pieces, antique silverware & linen. Downstairs, once everyone had arrived and been introduced Alan Fourie, cheese specialist from Simonsberg Cheeses started his talk and demonstration of some of their award winning cheeses. We got to taste all the cheeses there and he was available for questions from the floor…..hmmmm our own   feta floozy  was there and asked a pertinent question or two about the feta. Lots of photos were taken, some not for the blogs…….. shew, sighs of relief from some of those attendees hey?? Im a kind brownie…..

Marlene was talking about the menu she was preparing for us, regaling us with stories about living in France, explaining where and how she bought her antique wash basin that is too amazing for words…..how she bought her workbench at a sale in the Eastern Cape – a workbench that had spent its life in a garage as the work station of a motor mechanic, autographing books and cooking and preparing delectable goodies for our lunch, all at the same time!!!

Gougeres with Simonzola (warm savoury cheesy snacks from the south of France made from a choux pastry) which we had as snacks while standing around the long  work station chatting to this amazing lady.  Strict instructions were for us to lick our fingers as the olive oil and juices ran out as you ate them….foodies always lick their fingers we were told )

We were then asked to take our seats at the very long dining table. Beautifully set, each place with a name tag for each one of us, bottles of Evian water on the tables.

We then helped ourselves to the beautifully layered Simonsberg Cambrieni Cheese with Nuts, preserves & fresh figs that were already on the table atop gorgeous stands. This was served with some rye bread and Warwick Cabernet Franc …….

As if that were not enough we were then treated to teeny little Luxe Apple Pies with Simonsberg Creamy Blue and some stewed blueberries….to die for……………

what a fab day spent in really good company. I met Ilze our food24 Editor , Saffron .
Lady Raven  , little Silverspoon ,  Wots for Lunch  ,  Brightside & Nina - everyone of them lovely ladies from all walks of life but with one strong common denominator….a passion for food and the creation of it!!! It was wonderful to meet all you gals and good to get to know you all a little bit better.

Thank you so much to 24.com, Simonsberg Cheese & Marlene for making this day possible. I can honestly say it was one of the most spectacular days of my foodie life…. Im off to sleep off all that food and wine ;o)
browniegirl xxx

Look……..I got my copy signed……..  )

This book is currently sold out. A re-print has been ordered and should be back in the stores towards end April. Marlene also mentioned that she has a new book due to come out in August….hmmmm Im looking forward to that one with anticipation!

 
Pic borrowed from Food24Ed’s blog

This month Simonsberg Cheese  invited our Food24 Editor to a cook along with talented chef and food writer Marlene van der Westhuizen in Cape Town…..the big plus?????? She chose to take a group of bloggers along with her…..and guess what?????? Browniegirl is one of the very fortunate said bloggers selected to go along today to Marlene’s kitchen and learn some new stuff…..included will be a delicious lunch and cheese tasting…..YUM!!! Thank goodness I am not lactose intolerant then )

So my kitchen is closed for the day, I am off to enjoy myself & have a fabulous time in someone else’s kitchen for a change!!!!! The cocktail party planning for Friday is on the back burner over an almost non existent heat for today hehe….

My trusty camera is packed as I am sure there will be many photo opportunities…….

You lot all have a delicious day, try to behave in my absence, and I will be back later to report on the days event….that is if I don’t get lost finding my way there!!

browniegirl xxx

Righteo then…..so Son-In-Law delivered on the promised Tuna….oh I love it when a plan comes together!!! On Sunday SIL spent the day out towards Cape Point on a boat with friends for the day. After an epic struggle, in which he almost landed in the water a couple of times and had to be held down by his compadres (who knows if it was excitement at actually having a fish on the hook or the strength of the fish on the other end of his line!!!) he managed to land 4 beautiful long fin tuna. I sat back rubbing my hands with glee….that boy owes me big time. I gave him my daughter after all………needless to say Tyler is in awe and his daddy is his hero!! The two of them often go fishing together!!!

the foolish grin says it all

I received mine expertly cleaned & filleted & wrapped in portions…..hmmm there are advantages to having a chef for a SIL hehe…thanx my boy!!!
You sure did bring home the bacon fish this time )

This is what I did for supper last night….

MOO’S PAN SEARED MARINATED TUNA LOINS
 4 Tuna Loins (serves 4)

1Chopped Chilli (seeds discarded)

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 thumb size piece of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 Oranges – juice only

Place the tuna steaks in a shallow dish in one layer, no overlapping

Mix all the marinade ingredients together, pour over the fish, cover and set aside for 1-2 hours.

Prepare the rest of the meal before you cook your fish as it only takes about 4 minutes

Heat up a heavy frying pan or griddle until a heat haze hovers above it

Remove the fish from the marinade, pour the marinade into a small saucepan and place over moderate heat to reduce it until a thickish sauce has formed. Strain.

Pop each loin onto the very hot griddle and sear for about 1 minute without trying to turn it or move it

Using a large spatula flip the tuna over to the other side, sear for another minute

Add a knob of butter to the pan and leave for another minute….no longer unless you prefer your tuna well cooked and dry )

Serve with a drizzle of the strained sauce

I served ours with crushed garlic potatoes and a garden salad

If you would prefer your tuna unmarinated then just brush with olive oil, grind on a bit of salt and black pepper then cook exactly as above. This was how I did brownieboys seeing as he doesn’t like the hot stuff like I do!!

WHOOHOO!!! Garden success!!!My own home grown chillies….

 Hello fellow bloggers and readers of this blog…..just a friendly reminder that Earth Hour will be happening on Saturday 28^th March. To date more than 1,189 cities & towns have committed to switching off. Please would you seriously consider joining the rest of the world by switching your electricity off for one hour from 8.30-9.30pm? If yes click on the link to the right under my badges to add your name to the increasing number of folk committed to helping our planet.……thank you so much to those who have already made the commitment.

TAKE A STAND AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE……

switch off for an hour and add your voice to the millions of others world wide speaking out against climate change

Thank you,

browniegirl xxx

UN Secretary General Urges Citizens To Join WWF’s Earth Hour

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged citizens around the world to join WWF’s Earth Hour to demand action on climate change.

In a video-taped address, the Secretary-General said that Earth Hour – which takes place on Saturday 28th March – promises to be “the largest demonstration of public concern about climate change ever attempted.”

“Earth Hour is a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message. They want action on climate change.” said Secretary-General Ban.

Speaking just a week before Earth Hour rolls out across thousands of towns and cities across the globe, Ban underlined the seriousness of climate change and the need for a global climate deal to be agreed when the world’s leaders meet in Copenhagen this coming December.

“People will be telling their representatives to seal a deal in Copenhagen. A deal at the climate change talks that will protect people and the planet. We need an ambitious agreement. An agreement that is fair and effective. An agreement based on sound science.”

Secretary-General Ban went on to underline the seriousness of climate change and the scale of the task ahead. “We are on a dangerous path. Our planet is warming. We must change our ways,” he said. “We need green growth that benefits all communities. We need sustainable energy for a more climate-friendly, prosperous world. This is the path of the future. We must walk it together.”

WWF’s Earth Hour is being hailed as the biggest ever global movement – a vote for the future of planet earth. Hundreds of millions of people are expected to take part by switching off non-essential lighting for an hour. Cities from Las Vegas to Sydney, from Cape Town to Beijing will go dark for an hour.

Ban said that the United Nations would be doing its bit for Earth Hour. “In New York, we will switch out the lights at UN Headquarters. Other UN facilities around the world will also take part.”

And he concluded: “I urge citizens everywhere to join us. Please send a strong message on climate change. Together we can find a solution to this most serious of global challenges.”

http://www.earthhour.org/news/default:en/article?id=eh8007717799218311269

This recipe was my mom’s and she used to do her baking and cooking in a huge farmhouse kitchen with a wood stove in the hearth. My childhood was one of delicious baking smells, a mother’s tender love for her 5 children, paraffin lamps, outside toilets, Lizzie the maid who used to let me sit on her lap at lunch time and share some of her samp & beans, the pear orchard, the fig trees, the pomegranate trees, aromatic fuzzy quinces picked straight off the trees, the rhubarb hedge, the purple carpet of jacaranda flowers at the front gate, the soft fragrance of carnations and roses when you sat on the big wrap around verandah, collecting freshly laid eggs from our own free range hens (it was always so exciting finding a new nest tucked away in the kei apple hedges), prickly pear syrup, fresh farm butter, bread, milk and meat. Oh how I do miss those carefree happy delicious days, days when we could safely walk about the streets of our dusty little town without a second thought. 
When the delightful aroma from the baking cookies permeated the brownie house  & wafted out the front door to tease the neighbours on Friday evening I was instantly transported back to my childhood days, the ones I just described……

 MOO’S CUSTARD CREAMS 

180g Butter

70g Icing Sugar

180g Cake Flour

80g Custard Powder

5ml Vanilla Extract – I used the vanilla paste

Pinch Salt

Preheat oven to 180⁰C

Sift icing sugar into a mixing bowl, Add butter and beat until pale and fluffy

Sift together the flour, custard powder & salt and slowly beat into the creamed mixture to make a fairly stiff dough that will hold its shape

Beat in the vanilla

Form into small walnut sized balls and place well apart on a lined cookie sheet

Press flat with a fork

Bake for about 12 minutes until light golden

Cool completely on cooling racks before icing together

Frosting:

2 Tbs Butter

2 Tbs Sifted Icing Sugar

1tsp Milk

Vanilla Essence

Beat all together till very pale and fluffy and spread onto half the biscuits, top with the remaining half

Keep in an airtight container

Especially delicious with a glass of icy cold milk

Have a great Monday then,
browniegirl xxx

Sunday evening already……..time flies by when you are having fun doesn’t it? We have had a lovely relaxed day and are now getting ready for the new week. It’s going to be a busy one in the brownie kitchen with sweet daughter’s 30^th birthday looming and her wanting a party and all. The house that we are renting for a year (can you believe we have been here almost 7 months already????) has a very large room in it, when I say large I mean about 80 sq meters of room, larger than a lot of houses being built these days.  So the downside is that when there is a party to be had…….guess where the venue is???? Yep, yet again, at my house!!  SD has decided that she would like a cocktail party…..that’s not too bad is it??? Surely it has to end at a seriously decent hour…..but the rest of the deal is that we get to keep both grandchildren for the night as SD & SIL have to leave early for a morning wedding in Somerset West Saturday.  Too much for a laid back browniegirl to think of on a lazy Sunday evening so I shall just shove it all to the back of my mind until tomorrow…..then the serious planning begins  )  You don’t think of all these things when you are young and in love and planning a happy parenthood do you????? HEHE!!!

Anyhoo, Pinky Friday was great fun! Ty and I decided to bake my late Mom’s Custard Creams, purely because they are sooo delicious and Ty has not had the opportunity to bake them yet.  It went off superbly with a yummy batch of crispy cookies at the end of the session. He then had his playtime in the bath while the cookies cooled and I made supper for the two of us.  He was most insistent that we had to have a candlelight dinner so there the two of us were….sitting at the table with candle light, he with his lemonade and me with my Four Cousins teehee!!! After we had dined our fill on grilled lamb chops (Ty’s new favourite dish), baked potato and steamed  veg he then tucked into some of my Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with fudgy chocolate sauce. Then we filled the cookies with some buttercream frosting. At this stage he was asking if I could read to him and say his prayers which indicated intense tiredness on his part as he will force himself to stay up until Papa gets home if he could!!! I poured his milk which he enjoyed with a freshly baked Custard Cream and while I was reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears to him he fell fast asleep!! Thank goodness as Papa was caught up in a road block and got home rather late!!!

So thats where my oven gloves disappeard to )

Saturday we decided to take our little man to the V&A for a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium for a change!! We hadn’t been in awhile and we do so enjoy it. There was an added bonus of a frog exhibition called Beyond the Pond. Most enlightening and educational.  We were all enthralled by the colourful darting fish, the enormous spotty Moray Eels, the Nemo’s as Ty calls his favourite fishies, the fantastic coral underworld, some delicious looking starters and main meals swimming around in the tanks, the highly toxic fugu….I could go on and on. But my personal favourite has to be the amazingly tranquil Kelp Forest!!! After we had feasted our eyes in the aquarium we popped intothe restaurant for lunch. On the back of some of the waitron’s tee shirts was a curved tadpole (Nike style teehee) and Jump To It….for FROG’s sake…… They tickled my fancy!!!

When we got home Ty told his mom about the frog puppet show and when she asked what it was about his reply: POLLUTION Mom!!! ) So something was learned!!!