I have been meaning to do a newsletter with a French theme for a long time, and when I heard that the latest foodie movie, French Toast, will be released during the month of April, my mind was made up!
Seeing that the words “french” and “quick” are not usually used in the same sentence, it is understandable why many aspiring cooks steer clear of french cuisine. For those of you that are up to trying out the recipes, I’ve included a few classic French recipes (that are more labour intensive) and some modernised variations that are quicker and easier to make. The recipes I have included in this newsletter are: French Toast, French Onion Soup, Sole Meuniere (Sole With Lemon-Butter Sauce), Ratatouille (Provencal Vegetable Stew), French Macaroons, French Meringue, Floating Islands (aka Snow Eggs) and Clafouti. Read more further down.
As usual, I have also included recipes contributed by Carolié de Koster from her popular Art of Cooking Recipe Book. Carolié’s recipes are: Chicken & Chicken Liver Pate With Bacon & Port, Quiche Lorraine (Savoury Tart), Quick French Chicken, Beef Bourguignonne (Beef & Onion Stew), Fish Steaks With Caper and Lemon Butter Sauce, Potato Croquettes, Creamy Mocha Mousse and Gourmet Chocolate Mousse Cake. The Art Of Cooking recipe book consists of more than a 1000 recipes and is the most comprehensive cookery book in South Africa. It offers everything for everyone’s needs – from the beginner and home cook to the career chef, caterer and trainer. It is available exclusively from Cooking Up A Storm. Read more further down.
In line with the French theme, if I had to choose my favourite french cooking book, it would be one of the late Julia Child’s books, such as “From Julia Child’s kitchen” that comes to mind first. Not for cooking from, but for reading. I love Julia’s chatty way of explaining the steps. Julia, regarded as the mother of American-French cooking and the first face of culinary television, introduced French Cuisine to American housewife’s in the 1960’s. She was a trailblazer for today’s chefs, and for women in particular. She published several cookbooks and hosted a number of television shows. In my post The Mother Of American-French Cuisine, I tell you more about the new Julia Child Award which was launched to honor the memory of Julia Child. I of course also had to include a few of Julia Child’s recipes. Be sure to try her Chicken Liver Mousse and the Ratatouille which was adapted from her recipe. Read more further down.
After the success of last year’s Mother’s Day Cupcake Couture Class, I decided to repeat it this year. It will take place on Saturday 9 May. Please make contact for more information. Read more further down.
In my post Cool French Kitchen Tools: French Crush Cups, I introduce you to crumpled cups, the disposable paper cup look-alike that can be used for serving everything from coffee to starters and desserts. I like to use them for individual servings of everything from chicken liver paté to chocolate mousse!
During the month of March, I held two very memorable cooking events. The first was a “Basics of Baking” course for Clover’s Mama Afrika’s and the 2nd was a baking class for one of the children of the Reach For A Dream Foundation. I thoroughly enjoyed both events. It was great to spend a whole week with a few of the Mama’s! It was an absolute pleasure to make young Khanyi’s dream come true of doing a baking class. Read more further down.
The latest foodie movie, “French Toast“, by Hartiwood films (the creators of Liefling and Pretville) will release in South African cinemas on 24 April 2015 and promises to wow audiences with its French flair! Read more further down.
In my post New In Town: Bakers Bin, I inform you about the new branch of this popular franchise that recently opened their doors in the Heathway Square Centre in Blackheath. They stock everything aspiring bakers might need – from baking ingredients to tools and equipment. I love their frozen muffin and cupcake premixes. All you need to to do is defrost it, snip the corner off and pipe the mixture into a muffin pan or cupcake paper cases. What could be easier? Read more further down.
Another establishment that is worth paying a visit in the Heathway Square Centre is the Petit Fours Food Emporirium. Since they moved from their previous location in Verdi Centre, Northcliff, they have expanded their Food Emporium to now also include a Crèpe and Waffle Bar. Their deli also provides a variety of salads, home-cooked meals, smoothies and fresh juices and a variety of freshly baked goods. Read more further down.
I specialize in customised culinary lessons – whether for yourself or your domestic worker, housekeeper or nanny. Regardless of what lifestyle you are following, your current level of skill, learning to cook will change your life. Once you know the basics, you will be able to make just about anything. The possibilities are endless! This is what one of my clients had to say after I trained her domestic worker: “Jeanri is extremely professional, comes fully prepared for every lesson and puts every effort into making sure that your domestic worker learns to cook. She even spent time with mine, teaching her maths so that she could halve recipes, double up on portions etc. Jeanri goes shopping on your behalf and makes sure that you have everything you need for a lesson, even down to the equipment needed in the kitchen so that there is no delay in lesson time. Everything she taught Fredah to cook has been delicious and we have used her recipes over and over. My domestic worker has gained a lot of confidence in the kitchen. Jeanri ensures that your domestic is able to write up a shopping list, keep to excellent hygiene standards in the kitchen, cook, bake, and tidy up properly afterwards. Definitely money well spent, I can only highly recommend her.” Kelly, Parkview. Please see the Testimonials page on my website for more info. Read more further down.
In this newsletter:
- April/May 2015 Recipes
- The Mother Of American-French Cuisine
- Cool French Kitchen Tools
- New Event: Mother’s Day Cupcake Couture Class
- Feedback: Reach For A Dream Baking Class
- Feedback: Baking Basics With Clover’s Mama Afrika’s
- New Foodie Movie: “French Toast”
- New In Town: Bakers Bin Blackheath
- Petits Fours Food Emporium
- Culinary Parties For Kids
- Customised Culinary Lessons
- Cooking Up A Storm’s Services
For first time readers of my newsletter, my hectic schedule only allows me to do a newsletter every 2nd month. I write about local and international trends that relate to food in some or other way, cool kitchen gadgets, cool food products, cool foodie events and of course mouthwatering recipes that I have come across and tested myself. Please “like” Cooking Up A Storm’s Facebook page and you will get notified the moment I post something new, whether it is a new recipe to try or an upcoming foodie event. Read more further down.
Happy cooking!
Jeanri
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Note: Please click on each heading to read the full post.
April/May 2015 Recipes
Although the French-inspired recipes included here are as French as Alain Ducasse, you don’t need to have the skills of a French chef to make them. Some are classic, some are modernised, but all of them will give a French flair to your meals when you make them!
The Mother Of American-French Cuisine
The late Julia Child’s genuine love of eating and cooking and her passion for sharing her knowledge with whoever wanted to learn, serves as an inspiration for many an aspiring cook.
Cool French Kitchen Tools
One of my favourite cookware items in my kitchen is my Revol Crush Cups, also known as crumpled cups. The classic Crumpled Cup was designed by Rob Brandt in 1975 and are now available in many stores that stock bakeware.
New Event: Mother’s Day Cupcake Couture Class
In a little more than a month, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day. It is a great opportunity for mom’s and daughters to spend quality time together while baking side-by-side.
Feedback: Clover Mama Afrika Baking Course
During the first week of March, 8 of Clover’s Mama Afrika’s or their representatives attended my Basics of Baking course in Johannesburg. It was a roaring success and at the end of the week each of the participants went home with a variety of essential baking tools sponsored by Clover as well as recipes and lots of baked goodies to share with their families. Read more here.
Feedback: Reach For A Dream Baking Class
I was contacted by the Reach For A Dream Foundation a while ago with a request to make a little girl’s dream of doing a baking class, come true. I had a great time teaching Khanyi, 11, to bake cupcakes and to turn them into a pair of high-heel cupcake shoes!
New Foodie Movie: French Toast
The latest foodie movie, French Toast, by Hartiwood films, the creators of Liefling and Pretville, is a romantic drama/comedy starring Lika Berning and Thierry Ballarine. The film will release in South African cinemas on 24 April 2015.
New In Town: Bakers Bin Blackheath
Bakers Bin Northcliff has recently opened it’s doors for business in the Heathway Square Shopping Centre and it is truely a one-stop-shop for all your baking needs – whether you are just an occasional baker or bake professionally.
Petits Fours Food Emporium
Petits Fours is a French inspired Food emporium, cake boutique and stockist of exclusive imported décor. Be sure to visit their new and improved Food Emporium at the Heathway Square Shopping Centre in Blackheath, where they recently added a waffle and crèpe bar that will make your taste buds go Ooh la la!
Culinary Parties For Kids
My culinary parties for kids have proved to be very popular due to the fact that you can choose the language in which the party will be conducted, as well as if you want the party to take place at your house or at my venue in Robindale, Randburg. The recipes are age-specific and tasty!
Customised Culinary Lessons
My culinary lessons are suitable for beginners, intermediate or advanced cooks – no experience required. I also teach domestic workers, house keepers, nanny’s and kitchen staff. The lessons take place in your own kitchen!
Art Of Cooking Recipe Book
Carolié de Koster’s Art Of Cooking recipe book consists of more than a 1000 recipes and is the most comprehensive cookery book in South Africa. Written by a renowned food consultant it offers everything for everyone’s needs – from the beginner and home cook to the career chef, caterer and trainer. It is available exclusively from our online shop.
- Customised culinary lessons – in your own kitchen! For yourself, your kids, your domestic worker or nanny.
- Culinary demonstrations on a variety of topics (in your own house if you prefer!)
- Culinary classes and parties for kids in Afrikaans or English
- Hands-on culinary sessions for social or corporate events or staff training
- Recipe development
- Consulting to Guest Houses, coffee shops, etc.
- Nutrition talks e.g. as part of Corporate Wellness Programs.
- Individual consultations on nutrition and healthy eating
- Customised healthy meal plans
- Supplier of a variety of quality culinary equipment, e.g. Wizbake sheets
- Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.
Read more about our services here.