It is hard to believe, but it is already autumn! An excellent way to celebrate the new season is with a Mexican fiesta! Mexican cuisine is very versatile – it comprises everything from hearty soups and stews to salads and light meals. Mexican ingredients are also affordable and readily available. No wonder Mexican food is all the rage these days!
The Mexicans know how to throw a party. Like when they celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “May 5th”, or literally, “Five of May”) is often mistaken to be Mexico’s Independence Day (which is celebrated on 16 September). Cinco de Mayo is in fact observed to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. On both these days Mexicans across the world celebrate Mexican pride and heritage by way of parades, cultural exhibits, and fairs.
The recipes included in this newsletter is everything you need for your own Mexican Fiesta – from starters and mains to sides dishes and desserts. I’ve included recipes for Home-made Tortillas, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Taco’s – to name a few. Also soups and salads. And of course delicious Mexican desserts such as Flan and Churro’s With Chocolate Sauce. I have even included a recipe for the morning after the Fiesta. 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. For the sake of first-time readers of my newsletter, Carolié de Koster, author of the Art Of Cooking recipe book, has been a mentor and friend to me for the past 11 years. Carolié 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 3 and a half 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 every day! It makes a great gift too! Contact me to order. Read more further down.
I have had so much fun these past few weeks developing Easter-themed treats for Cooking Up A Storm’s first ever Easter-themed Culinary Events for kids. It will take place at Rosebank Mall (19 to 27 March) and at Clearwater Mall (24 to 29 March). It will be in the same format as the Mrs Claus’ Kitchen event which I have been running at Bedford Centre for the past three years. Kids ages 3 to 12 will get to decorate a different Easter-themed edible item on each of the days. Read more further down.
My “I made it myself!/Ek het dit self gemaak!” culinary parties for kids are very popular. Each recipe is demonstrated to the children step-by-step and each child makes his/her own recipe from start to finish. 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! Be sure to visit Cooking Up A Storm’s Facebook page to stand a stand to win a culinary party for kids worth R3000. A culinary party or class is also a fun activity to arrange for classmates or a group of friends during the school holiday’s. 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. So if you love Mexican cuisine and would like to learn to make it but you feel you need a little (or a lot!) guidance, be sure to book a cooking session for yourself and a few friends or colleagues! You choose the date, the time, who you want to invite and where you want to have it. What could be easier? Read more further down.
If you feel like trying out a new restaurant, be sure to “andele” on over to Frida’s Coffee Bar in the East of JHB where you will find hearty Mexican fair with a South African twist in a family-friendly environment. In my post Fiesta at Frida’s, I tell you more about this coffee bar with a vibrant Mexican theme. It is definitely worth a visit! Read more further down.
I get requests from my clients on a daily basis to teach them or their domestic workers to cook food that is quick and easy to prepare, yet tasty and healthy. In my post Review: Make 5 Recipe Book I tell you more about Heleen Meyer’s exciting new recipe book in which you will find a variety of recipes that can be whipped up in no time with everyday ingredients. The book is also available in Afrikaans. 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.
I send out a newsletter every 2nd month, i.e. the next one will go out in March. 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.
March/April 2016 Recipes
The recipes included in this newsletter is everything you need to whip up your own Mexican Fiesta – from starters and mains to sides dishes and desserts. There’s something for everyone – some recipes are on the healthy side, others are downright decadent. The recipes can be used for casual meals at home or for fancy entertaining. Be sure to try them all!
New: Easter-themed Culinary Activity For Kids
Kids are in for a treat these Easter holidays! Following on the success of the Mrs Claus’ Kitchen event I have been running at Bedford Centre for the past three years, during the 2016 Easter Holiday’s I will run my first ever Easter-themed Culinary Events for kids.
Fiesta At Frida’s
Frida’s Coffee Bar is a unique coffee bar with a colourful Mexican theme. The walls of the coffee bar is adorned with the works of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954).
Review: “Make Five” Recipe Book
In the Make Five recipe book, popular South African author and food consultant Heleen Meyer, shows you how to make the most of everyday ingredients in 5 creative and healthy ways.
Culinary 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 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.