The halfway mark of 2016 is around the corner, which means autumn is almost over and winter is not far away! Now is the time to stock up on “cold weather” essentials to make comfort food such as soups, stews, breads, etc.
The theme of this newsletter is “olives”. Olives appear in most of my favourite dishes, from pizza to pasta, to sauces, sandwiches and stews. Not forgetting salads and snacks! It is such a versatile ingredient: it can be stoned and stuffed, or chopped up and used as a flavouring. It can be used as a main ingredient or to compliment other ingredients in a recipe. And then there is olive oil, also known as liquid gold. I can simply not imagine a world without it!
The recipes included in this newsletter will definitely help to keep you warm in the chilly autumn weather. In line with the “olive” theme, I’ve included a variety of new and exciting recipes that has olives or olive oil as an ingredient. From tapenade to ice-cream! Read more further down.
As usual, I have included recipes contributed by Carolié de Koster. They are mostly from her popular Art of Cooking recipe book. Read more further down.
In my post “O”live a little! I provide information about the ever-growing South African olive industry, the different classifications of oil and table olives, and olive trivia. Read more further down.
In my post Munch Away! I introduce you to The Munching Mongoose, an exciting JHB-based company that delivers farm-fresh product to your door on a weekly basis. Their slogan, “fresh, organic and more … bringing the market to your door!” says it all!
In my post Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate, I tell you more about Annalene du Toit, the master-mind behind Kloovenburg’s successful olive industry. The Kloovenburg Pastorie is one of the Riebeek Valley’s most luxurious overnight accommodation options. Don’t miss out on their current promotion. Read more further down.
Foodies are spoilt for choice in the month of July with a variety of food festivals and shows across South Africa. In my post Upcoming Foodie Events I provide details of a few of the best ones. See you there! Read more further down.
In my post Cool Kitchen Tools: Olive Pitter, I tell you more about this indispensable kitchen tool. Read more further down.
After the success of last year’s “Christmas in July”-themed holiday classes for kids I will be running Holiday Culinary Classes For Kids during the June/July school holiday’s It is also an option to book a private class for a group of friends. Read more further down.
My “I made it myself!/Ek het dit self gemaak!” culinary parties for kids are very popular. Kids get to take the fruit of their labour home and tell Mom and Dad: I made it myself! Most of them eat it right away though! I also offer Masterchef culinary parties for kids and adults and hands-on cooking sessions for adults for e.g. team building or a special occasion. Read more further down.
If you would like to learn to cook or to expand your culinary knowledge, you need not look any further. I specialize in custom on-site cooking lessons – for yourself, your domestic worker, housekeeper, nanny or office staff – in your own kitchen! Regardless of what lifestyle you are following (e.g. Banting, Low GI & Low Fat, Vegetarian, etc.), your current level of skill or the size of your kitchen, 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 contact me for more information. Also see the Testimonials page on my website for more info. Read more further down.
Carolié de Koster, author of the Art Of Cooking recipe book, contributes recipes to my website and newsletter on a regular basis. Carolié runs cooking demonstrations and hands-on cooking sessions in New Zealand under the name Carolié’s Culinaire. Since Carolié and her husband moved to New Zealand almost 4 years ago, I have been processing orders for the Art Of Cooking recipe book on her behalf. The Art Of Cooking Recipe book is by far my favourite recipe book of all time and I use it in my own kitchen every day! It makes a great gift too! Contact me to order. Read more further down.
I post recipes and foodie news on my Facebook page weekly, so be sure to visit Cooking Up A Storm’s Facebook page if you want to be the first to get info on foodie events, new ingredients, new restaurants to try, etc. during the course of the year.
Happy cooking!
Jeanri
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Note: Please click on each heading to read the full post.
June/July 2016 Recipes
In line with this newsletter’s olive and olive oil theme, the recipes included in this newsletter consists of a variety of dishes that has either olives or olive oil (or both!) as ingredient(s). From starters and mains to sides dishes and desserts.
“O”live a little!
Olive oil, also known as “liquid gold”, has long been considered sacred. The olive branch was often a symbol of abundance, glory and peace. The leafy branches were even used to crown athletes at olympic games!
Munch Away!
With Food Fairs and Farmers’ Markets popping up like mushrooms all over South Africa, we are spoilt for choice with the range of options – you can choose between indoor or outdoor markets, or ones that either has an urban, suburban or “country” look and feel!
Review: Kloovenburg
Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate is situated in Riebeek Valley in the Swartland, Western Cape, and is known for its spectacular olive products, but also for its wines, export table grapes, etc.
Upcoming Foodie Events
According to Wikipedia a food festival is a celebration, usually held annually, that has food as its central theme. Some food festivals are focused on a particular item of food, whereas other festivals showcase a combination of food items and culinary equipment, etc.
Cool Kitchen Tools: Olive Pitter
A must-have tool in the kitchen is an olive pitter. It is also known as a stoner. It is designed to remove the pits or stones from small round fruits, such as olives or cherries.
Holiday Culinary Classes For Kids
During the June/July 2016 school holidays Cooking Up A Storm’s popular Holiday Culinary Classes For Kids will take place in Robindale, Randburg.
Cooking Parties For Kids
A culinary party is a very popular birthday theme for both boys and girls. During the party the kids make a variety of age-appropriate sweet and savoury recipes that are finger-licking good!
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!)
- 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
- Custom-made healthy meal plans
- Supplier of a variety of quality cooking utensils & equipment, e.g. Wizbake sheets
- Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.