In the Verster household the Christmas Tree goes up roughly a month before Christmas Day and it will only be taken down at the end of January to get the maximum “life” out of it. It’s difficult to believe that there are only about four weeks to go till Christmas! If the mere thought of the cooking that lies ahead makes you choke up with fear, read further, because whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, you will be spoilt for choice with this month’s collection of festive recipes – there are close to 50 for you to choose from! The selection of recipes includes a few of my own favorite festive recipes, a few recipes from Carolié Fusion Festive Ideas collection as well as Carolié family favourites from her Art of Cooking Recipe book. Carolié has decided to extend the special offer on this popular recipe book until the 31st of December, so be sure to order your copy of either the hard copy recipe book or the CD asap to qualify for the special offer.
The December holiday’s are here and if you have kids between the ages of 6 and 12, be sure to book for my “Ek het dit self gemaak” cooking classes. Space is limited, so be sure to book as soon as possible to secure your child’s place! If your child is possibly the next Junior Masterchef, why not book a cooking party to make his/her birthday really memorable? Cooking parties can be conducted on site, i.e. at your house, in Afrikaans or English.
I had a lot of fun putting together my daughter’s Dalmation-themed birthday party earlier this month. Seeing that this theme is not available “off the shelf” in Johannesburg at the moment, I had to search high and low to collect the party paraphernalia for this theme. If you are planning a party with a similar theme in the near future, you’re lucky, because I have done all the work already!
I am available throughout Christmas and New Year’s if you would like to book tailor-made private cooking lessons or a festive cooking demonstration or hands-on cooking session for yourself or a group during the holidays. It as an ideal way to spend quality time with family, friends or colleagues while learning something new. Visit my brand new Gallery page for photo’s of some of the events.
If you have not booked for my culinary tour to France yet, it is not too late! The itinerary of the tour has been chosen with great care and designed for people who love and appreciate gourmet cuisine, i.e. culinary aficionado’s. If you regard yourself as the latter, be sure to join us!
In next month’s newsletter the focus will be on quick, easy and healthy lunch box ideas for the whole family. And a few healthy but tasty recipes to help shed the kilo’s after the holiday’s!
In this newsletter:
- December Recipes
- Carolié de Koster’s Festive Recipes
- Holiday Cooking Classes For Kids
- Mia’s Dalmation Birthday Party
- Pick ‘n Pay Taste Of Christmas – 7 to 9 December
- Feedback: Food & Home Entertaining Reader’s Day
- Private Cooking Lessons In Your Own Kitchen
- Culinary Tour To Normandy & Paris – September 2013
- Carolié de Koster’s Art Of Cooking Recipe Book and CD – extended special offer!
- Cooking Up A Storm’s Services
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Season’s greetings!
Jeanri
December Recipes
This month’s collection of festive recipes are: Strawberry Rossini, Spicy Rooibos Iced Tea, Quick Home-made Ginger Beer, Chilled Cucumber Soup With Sesame Coated Prawns, All-in-one Mini Hotdogs/Breads, Turkey, Leek and Creme Fraiche Parcel, Festive Bobotie With Jewelled Yellow Rice, Sweet Potato Salad With Sweet Thai Chilli Dressing, Baby Spinach Salad, Watermelon & Feta Salad, Festive Cheese Cake and Festive Coconut-Ice Shapes. Enjoy! Read more …
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Carolié de Koster’s Festive Recipes
Carolié contributed a few festive recipes from her Fusion Festive Ideas collection. It includes Carolié’s award-winning Anise Seed Bread, a refreshing Apple Rosé welcome drink, pikelets with two different ricotta toppings, Cinnamon& Sesame Crescents and the Festive Phyllo Phantasies pictured here. See November Recipes for more of Carolié’s recipes. Read more …
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Holiday Cooking classes For Kids
The “Ek het dit self gemaak” cooking classes for kids are aimed at kids in Johannesburg who want to learn to cook in Afrikaans. Bookings for the holiday classes close on Wednesday 5 December, so book asap to secure your child’s booking. If your child is possibly the next Junior Masterchef, why not book a cooking party for him or her? Cooking parties can be conducted on site, i.e. at your house, in Afrikaans or English. Read more …
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Dalmation-themed Birthday Party
The star of my my daughter’s 6th birthday party was definitely the 3D Dalmation cake! The kids loved my home-made all-in-one mini hotdogs! I have included the recipe and step-by-step photo’s in my December Recipes. It makes great snacks, regardless of the occasion! Read more …
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Pick ‘n Pay Taste Of Christmas
The Pick ‘n Pay Taste of Christmas will be launched in at Joburg next weekend. A variety of great Christmas gifts and ideas will be showcased – ranging from food producers, homeware, fashion, accessories and art, it sounds like we’ll b able to get everything we need to make this Festive Season a memorable one in one place! Read more …
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Feedback: Food & Home Entertaining Reader’s Day
The 2012 Food & Home Entertaining Magazine’s Reader’s Day took place at the JHB Country Club earlier this month. Lila Biltel, owner of Lila’s French Cooking, demonstrated a variety of mouth-watering sweet and savoury recipes using Sasko Flour. Attendees were spoilt with fantastic goodie bags and a 3 month subscription to the magazine. I can’t wait for the next one! Read more …
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Private Cooking Lessons
If planning meals and cooking for your family is driving you up the wall, and you would like to hand the responsibility over to your nanny or domestic worker, all you need to do is tell me when and where. You will not only empower your employee, you will have time on your hands to do other things! The lessons will take place in your own kitchen and are tailor-made to your preferences, i.e. you will learn to make recipes you love to eat! Read more…
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Culinary Tour to France – September 2013
This unique tour to France, will combine two of life’s great pleasures – food and travel. While eating and drinking your way through France, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cuisine, history and culture of France. Lila Bultel from Lila’s French Cooking, who has studied under some of France’s foremost experts in French pâtisserie will accompany us. Bookings are now open for September 2013. All you need to do to secure your place is to pay a deposit of R3000.00 before 10 December 2012. Read more…
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Carolié de Koster’s Art Of Cooking Recipe Book and CD – special offer extended!
The Art Of Cooking recipe book consists of 1000 pages and is the most comprehensive cookery book in South Africa. The complete book plus more than 60 full colour pictures is also available on a user friendly CD. These items are not available from book stores. Order this collector’s item before 31st December for only R700.00 (save R100.00). Read more …
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Cooking Up A Storm Services
- Tailor-made private cooking lessons – in your own kitchen! For yourself, your kids, your domestic worker or nanny.
- Cookery demonstrations on a variety of topics (in your own house if you prefer!)
- Hands-on cookery sessions for social, corporate or staff training
- Recipe development
- Motivational talks and individual consultations on healthy eating
- Weekly or monthly healthy meal plans with grocery lists for the busy cook
- Supplier of a variety of quality cooking utensils & equipment, e.g. Wizbake reusable baking sheets, silicone bakeware, etc.
- Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.
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