I have been thinking that a recipe is long overdue. Chicken, Avo & Rocket Tortilla Wraps are a regular feature on our dinner menu. The kids love it and best of all it is easy! You really can adapt it to your own personal taste but I find that this recipe is both tasty and healthy! [Read more…]
Food
Food tastes better when you eat it with friends and family!
The Gorgeous Sophie Dahl
The gorgeous Sophie Dahl was born in London on the 15 September 1977. Born Sophie Holloway, she is the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl. Her maternal grandparents were author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal grandparents were actor Stanley Holloway and actress and chorus dancer Violet Lane. Sophie was the inspiration for the main character, Sophie, in her grandfather, Roald Dahl’s book The BFG.
Sophie began her career as a fashion model, but writing has always been her first love. In 2003 she published her first book, an illustrated novella and Times bestseller, “The Man with the Dancing Eyes”. Following this she wrote “Playing With The Grownups” – published in 2007.
As a devoted food lover and cook she published two cook books: “Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights”, published by Harper Collins (2009) and “From Season To Season” (2011). Sophie is a contributing editor at British Vogue. She has also written for others publications such as: American Vogue, Waitrose Kitchen, The Observer, The Guardian, and The Saturday Times Magazine.
Dahl then went on to write and present her six-part cookery series, currently airing on BBC (South Africa), entitled “The Delicious Miss Dahl” – which I am loving. It features some great recipes, for more on the series visit the BBC Food website. She also wrote and presented a television programme about the Victorian cook, Isabella Beeton which was aired on BBC2, in September 2011.
Sophie with husband Jamie Cullum
Sophie currently lives with her husband, Jamie Cullum and daughter, Lyra in England where she continues write and is a regular contributor to both fashion and food magazines. To find out more about this amazing woman visit her website – Sophie Dahl.
My Favourite Festive Tipple
I love pink bubbly and during the festive season my favourite festive tipple makes its appearance with regular frequency! You certainly will not hear me complaining about a glass of ice cold bubbly served with a delicious meal or just sipped while enjoying good company – who needs an excuse!
My Favourite Festive Tipple
I thought I would share my four favourite, South African, “pink” sparkling wines with you.
Methode Cap Classique denotes a South African sparkling wine made by the traditional Champagne method.
My all-time favourite is Graham Beck Brut Rose, which we always buy when visiting the Graham Beck Estate in Franschhoek. This fine silver pink blush is expertly crafted in the traditional Methode Cap Classique, combining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, to create a bubbly that bursts with flavour on your tongue.
Second on my list is Villiera Tradition Brut Rose. Whilst being exceptionally easy drinking it combines the full flavour of Pinot Noir, with the elegance of Chardonnay and the uniqueness of Pinotage, which provides the colour.
This is closely followed by Le Grande Pavillon Brut Rosé. A variety of red cultivars and a small amount of Chardonnay grape are selected from Boschendal’s finest vineyards and combined in classical Methode Cap Classique, to create a wine with a pronounced fruit structure complemented by a seductive sparkle.
Last but certainly not least is the Simonsig Pinot Noir Brut Rosé Vintage. The iconic, Kaapse Vonkel, which turns 40 this year, has released the second vintage of the popular no-added-sulphur Limited Release Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 2010 – made exclusively for Woolworths. It is made with 100% Pinot Noir grape, and has the palest salmon tinge with an enticingly fruity nose. In my personal opinion it also has a faint flavour of whiskey on the palate – leading to a crisp, dry finish.
To quote a rather famous lady on the occasion of drinking champagne…
I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty. – Lilly Bollinger
Images: Top – Pinterest, Graham Beck Brut Rose Pinterest via House and Leisure
African Inspired Table Decor
I recently ordered some beautiful African inspired placemats from Black Puppy Design. I was really excited when I received them and decided to create an African Inspired table decor setting for dinner that night. The placemats are “Afro Art” inspired – I ordered three placemats featuring the glorious Protea and three featuring Zebra hide – as I said true African Inspiration.
[Read more…]Delicious Oven Roasted Lamb Shank
I have been trying to perfect this Lamb Shank recipe for some time now – Success at last! The exact secret I am not yet sure of, but I think cooking Oven Roasted Lamb Shank in my beautiful red Le Creuset Casserole pot, may have done the job! The outcome was lip-smackingly delicious!
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