Food

Food tastes better when you eat it with friends and family!

Be Inspired, Food, My Top

My Top 4 Foods to Eat

“My top 4 Foods to Eat” in no particular order:

I am definitely more of a savoury person when it comes to food and a bit of a carnivore, so meat is always high on my list of staples. I love nothing better than a delicious fillet steak, with pepper or mushroom sauce and crispy French fries!

My second favourite food to eat would have to be sushi, although if I am dining with my youngest poppet and we are sharing a platter, I have to eat quickly otherwise I lose out! (She loves her sushi!) My favourite sushi roll is a California roll with prawns and avo. (usually accompanied by a few glasses of Graham Beck bubbles!)

Third on my list is Thai curry, well I pretty much love most Thai food but Red Chicken & Prawn Thai curry is a favourite; I often cook it at home and the hotter the better!

OK technically the last item is not really “food” more “desert” but a girls gotta have something sweet in her life – I really “heart” Crème brûlée. Often I will try to get the hubby to share it with me (in an attempt not to look greedy) but I have learnt my lesson it’s better to get my own!

What is your favourite food or desert? Are you more a savoury or a sweet eater?

Cape Town Lifestyle, Eating Out, Food, Lifestyle

Constantia Food & Wine Festival 2012

The Constantia Food & Wine festival is happening next month in the beautiful Constantia Valley, Cape Town, on the 4,5 and 6th May. The festival showcases over 40 of the finest wines and delicious food from award winning restaurants, you cannot afford to miss out! Live music is also provided, to enhance the magical experience of great wine and good food, enjoyed in one of the most beautiful settings.

Tickets cost 120pp per day and includes tastings at the various wine farms. No charge for children. You can purchase your tickets online at www.webtickets.co.za, at participating wine farms or at the entrance.

Be Inspired, Cape Town, Eating Out, FAR Photography, Food, Interviews, Restaurant Reviews, Taste

The Foodbarn Noordhoek Village

For those of you who don’t know me I am a local Cape Town girl who likes to live the simple life but enjoys the finer things life has to offer. I love food and it has always been an important part of my life and Cape Town certainly has a great deal to offer gastronomically. Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview a local food legend, certainly in our quiet seaside suburb of Noordhoek, not to mention the greater foodie community, Franck Dangereux.

Although now a local man Franck was born in France (Cannes). He grew up in a family where, despite not being foodies themselves, food and eating was always at the heart of the home. In Franck’s words, his passion for cooking was “born out of a love of eating”. Languishing family feasts were always a strong tradition and trips to the local markets, a childhood adventure. Franck does feel that in modern society we might be in danger of missing these fantastic opportunities, of families being united by sharing in delicious food and making precious memories.

He started cooking at the age of 14 and began studying at the Nice Hotel School, the following year. By the age of 18 Franck was working in 3 Michelin Star restaurants in Paris. In 1987 while on holiday, Franck visited South Africa for the first time, only to fall in love with this magnificent country. He also happened to meet up with a local South African, Pete de Bruin, and despite their language barrier, (aided by the power of Tequila) they formed a friendship that would ultimately see them reunited through a joint vision in the future.

After a few more years spent honing his skills aboard, Franck officially immigrated to South Africa and made Cape Town his home. His first job in Cape Town was working for Franck Swainston at the esteemed Constantia Uitsig, where he worked as Head Chef for two years. In 1996, after taking some time off from the intensity of the kitchen, Franck returned to the gastronomic world and started La Colombe. He was given carte blanche to create a lavish fine dining experience, which would go on to achieve numerous accolades, including being voted as one of the top 50 Restaurants in the World in 2006.

A few years later, after discovering that the Noordhoek Farm Stall was up for sale, Franck and Pete realised the dream that their shared passion for food had ignited years previously, and The Foodbarn was officially born.

As a local Noordhoek – lass I have had the opportunity of eating at The Foodbarn, Noordhoek Village, many times, but what you may ask, is so special about this restaurant? The vision that Franck had for this eatery was to have a fine dining experience with great food and wine but a relaxed ambience and The Foodbarn certainly lives up to this expectation. Patrons are treated to a wonderful dining experience and great seasonal specials.

Franck believes that cooking is an experience that should excite all your senses, that food should be both visually appealing as well as taste good, with sauces being his forte, from a simple vinaigrette to a fragrantly spiced jus. Wine is also an integral part of your dining experience at The Foodbarn, with food and wine pairing recommendations being a feature of their menu.

Together Franck and Pete run The Foodbarn, Franck bringing his exceptional food skills and Pete his astute business knowledge, from years spent working in the corporate world. Not to forget Pete’s role of as the charming host at the Foodbarn, as well as looking his “baby” The Foodbarn Deli & Tapas, a more relaxed and rustic eatery. To find out more about Pete see a recent article featuring him as the Village Personality for March, on the Noordhoek Village website.

The Foodbarn Noordhoek Village is currently running a seasonal special, where diners can enjoy 50% off food ordered from the restaurant ala carte menu, Monday to Friday, lunches only. A few days ago I was lucky enough to be invited to photograph and sample two of these amazing dishes. The food did indeed taste as good as it looked! Below you will see the two dishes which I tasted and I would highly recommend that you visit The Foodbarn. (See the bottom of the page for contact details)

The 1st Dish was De-shelled prawns tempura served on confied tomato, aubergine and avo tian, finished with a chilli & red pepper syrup and basil salsa. “this dish was delicious, the tempura prawns(one of my favourite things to eat) where lovely and juicy, with a light-crispy exterior – balanced by cool and refreshing tangy tomato & red pepper flavours, with a hint of chilli.”

The 2nd dish was Rack of Karoo lamb roasted in a bread crust, served with a chickpea “panisse”, finished with harissa mayo and Moroccan spices scented jus. “the lamb was perfectly cooked, medium rare the way I like it, there was a slight heat from the harissa mayo and the rich intense jus complimented the dish beautifully.”

I would just like to thank Franck and Pete for this great opportunity and for bringing such a great dining experience to the area! I wish them continued success with both of their restaurants!

Contact Details: Email info @ thefoodbarn.co.za – contact the restaurant+27 (0)21 789 1390 – contact the deli+27 (0)21 789 1966 – address Noordhoek Farm Village Corner Village Lane and Noordhoek Main Road Noordhoek 7979

Photography: ©FAR Photography

Cape Town Lifestyle, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Food, Lifestyle, Travel

Cape Point Vineyards Picnics & Sundowners

Cape Point Vineyards in the gorgeous Noordhoek Valley is the perfect venue for an afternoon picnic or sundowners. With a view of the breathtaking mountains, overlooking the vineyards and coastline stretching as far as the eye can see – what better setting could you ask for.

Cape Point Vineyards Picnic

Cape Point Vineyards are now offering either an afternoon picnic, served on Wednesdays to Sundays from 12:00 – 15:00 or you can have the option of sundowners and a picnic, which are served Wednesdays to Sundays from 17:00 – 20:00.

We spent a glorious evening there recently lazing on the beautifully manicured lawns sipping on bubbly and feasting on a decadent selection of cheeses, meats and preserves. There is a lot of open space to run and a jungle-gym, so definitely take the kids.

It is definitely well worth a visit and we intend to return soon, before the weather changes and the cold winter months are upon us!

Booking is essential so please call ahead of time. For more information please contact [email protected] or 021 789 0900 or visit their website for more details – Cape Point Vineyards.

Entertaining, Food, Recipes

Entertaining – Simple Starter Recipe

I love entertaining and I am always thinking up simple recipes to add to my dinner party repertoire. I try to ensure that my simple starter recipes are easy to prepare and plate, leaving me more time to spend with my guests. Plus with this particular dish, there is no cooking involved, especially good for those of you that are prone to burning things!

Ingredients:

200-400g Smoked Salmon or Trout (Amount dependant on how many people you are serving)
1 Packet Rocket Salad Leaves
1 Packet Baby Salad Leaves
2 Large Lemons
1 Tub Crème fraîche
Chives
Dill
Cucumber for garnish (Sliced into thin ribbons)

Method

Simply wash and arrange the salad leaves on your side or starter plate and put to one side. Cut your salmon into long ribbons and roll into pretty parcels and set aside. Next mix your Crème fraîche and the juice of one lemon, in a bowl until smooth, add salt and pepper to taste. Chop your chives and dill, add that to your Crème fraîche and mix well, don’t forget to taste it, add more lemon or salt and pepper if needed.

You can store everything, covered, in the fridge until you are ready to assemble it, I recommend doing so just before you are ready to serve the dish. Arrange the salmon on top of your salad leaves, grind a good measure of black pepper over the salmon and then drizzle a bit of lemon juice over it. Add a generous dollop of your Crème fraîche mixture on the plate and garnish with your cucumber ribbons. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side and a bit of crusty ciabatta bread, this dish is well paired with a glass of chilled sparkling Brut Rose!

This recipe is always a hit and it could not be easier to prepare. I would love you to share any of your favourite simple starter recipes with me in the comment section below.

For ideas and inspiration on table decorating see my post on African Inspired Table Decor.