This theme of this newsletter is beans … from the humble white bean to the most expensive bean of all, the coffee bean. Even though the latter is not actually a bean but a seed, they are referred to as ‘beans’ because of their resemblance to true beans. Legumes appear in just about every cuisine in the world, from re-fried beans in Mexican cuisine, to a French Cassoulet (a stew consisting mainly of meat and white beans). Legumes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours and can be consumed in many forms including whole, split, or ground into flour or paste. Legumes are versatile and inexpensive and easily be incorporated into your lifestyle.
Seeing that we are nearing the end of Winter and Spring is only a few weeks away, I decided to include a combination of quick and easy one-pot dishes, such as soups and stews that has some form of legumes in it, as well as interesting salads and desserts that can be served when entertaining. I’ve included a few classic recipes, like the coffee-based Tiramisu as well as some modernised variations of old classics, such as the Irish Coffee Dessert. The recipes I have included in this newsletter are: Cherry Tomato & Green Bean Salad With Lemon, Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup, Falafel (Chickpea Fritters), Hummus (Chickpea Paté), Affogato (Coffee Dessert), and a recipe for Japanese Cotton Cheesecake that only has 3 ingredients! As usual, Carolié de Koster also contributed a variety of mouth-watering recipes: Green Lentil & Vegetable Soup, Spicy Bean Stew/Salad, Home-made Baked Beans, Muskadel-Espresso Chicken Breasts with Prunes, Turmeric Chicken With Buttered Couscous, Coffee-infused Moroccan Lamb With Figs, Apricots & Cashews, Chilli Beef Sauce With Chickpeas & Beans, Aromatic Middle-Eastern Lamb With Chickpeas & Polenta, Zucchini Cake, Chia Coconut Ice-cream, Irish Coffee Dessert and Tiramisu. Read more further down.
Carolié’s popular Art of Cooking Recipe Book is available exclusively from Cooking Up A Storm. Read more further down.
For first time readers of my newsletter, 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.
In the post “Keep Your Finger On The Pulse” I tell you more about the different types of legumes, from alfalfa to wax beans, with photo’s, nutritional information and uses. I also include information on pulses, which are in fact a sub-category of legumes and includes dried peas, edible beans, lentils and chickpeas. Read more further down.
The post “Bean There, Done That” focuses on the importance of including beans in a healthy lifestyle. So much so that The United Nations has declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses to celebrate and recognize pulses for their contribution to global nutrition. Read more further down.
A bean theme would not be complete without reference to the most popular bean of all, the coffee bean. In my post “From Bean To Brew” I provide information on where coffee comes from. I also tell you about the health benefits of drinking coffee, the art of Latte Art, etc. Read more further down.
The post “The Way You Like It” is about Seattle Coffee Company’s success story in South Africa. Read more further down.
SA Coffee Club is for people who are passionate about coffee, and about learning more about roasting, brewing, cupping, etc. In the post “Join the club!” I tell you more about how to join, etc. Read more further down.
There is a new revolution on the uprise … the NutriBullet revolution, which promotes the benefits of consuming raw food and conscientious eating. In the post “Cool Kitchen Tool: NutriBullet”, I tell you more about how you can enhance your overall vitality with minimal effort with using the NutriBullet extractor. Read more further down.
The upcoming Hartiwood Food & Film Show will put a unique spin on “dinner-and-a-movie”, with pairing fine food and films in a culinary adventure with French flair. Read more further down.
Booking a spot for you child in my upcoming holiday baking classes will provide your child with a fun culinary activity (whether he/she is currently on holiday or not) as well as some “me-time” for Moms! Read more further down.
Cooking Up A Storm was the first cooking school in South Africa to offer customised on-site cooking lessons. After 10 years in the industry my cooking lessons are still the most comprehensive. 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! Please see the Testimonials page on my website for more info. You can book lessons for yourself, your domestic worker, housekeeper or nanny. Read more further down.
Happy cooking!
Jeanri
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Note: Please click on each heading to read the full post.
August/September 2015 Recipes
As usual, the selection of recipes included in this newsletter will provide you with a variety of new recipes to try. From the well known coffee-based Tiramisu to Japanese Cotton Cake, and that is just on the dessert side!
Keep Your Finger On The Pulse
Legumes are among the best plant-based sources of dietary protein. Not only are legumes highly nutritious, they are also very cheap, which makes them an important food staple in many developing countries.
Bean There, Done That
Dry beans are part of the legume family and are categorised under pulses together with dried peas, lentils and chickpeas, also known as pulse crops.
From Bean To Brew
Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages and it has been enjoyed by people around the world for many centuries.
The Way You Like It
The guys at Seattle Coffee Company believe that life is too short to drink bad coffee. I could not agree more!
Join the club!
If you regard yourself as a coffee connoisseur, or if you cannot imagine a life without coffee, then SA Coffee Club is theclub to join!
Cool Kitchen Tool: NutriBullet
Turning traditional juicing and blending on its head, the nifty NutriBullet is the perfect kitchen countertop companion.
Foodie Event: Hartiwood Food & Film Show
In September this year, real food and reel films will be showcased at the Hartiwood Film and Food Show (HFAFS).
New Event: Holiday Baking Classes
Due to the success of Cooking Up A Storm’s Holiday Baking Classes in previous years, similar classes will be held during the August/September private school holidays.
Cooking Parties For Kids
My cooking parties for kids are very popular due to the fact that you can choose the language in which the party will be conducted and the party can take place at your house if you prefer, or at one of my venues in Gauteng. The recipes are age-specific and tasty!
Customised On-site Cooking Lessons
My cooking 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 & CD
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 Cooking Up A Storm.
- Customised on-site cooking lessons – for yourself, your kids, your domestic worker or nanny.
- Cookery demonstrations on a variety of topics (in your own house if you prefer!)
- Cooking classes and parties for kids in Afrikaans or English
- Hands-on cookery 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
- Custom-made healthy meal plans
- Supplier of a variety of quality cooking utensils & equipment, e.g. Wizbake sheets
- Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.