Boeries gone wild!

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Jade Allen

Boerewors and Craft Beer – Gourmet Boerie launches in South Africa

The Boerie has landed! It is no secret that Boerewors is one of the most renowned traditional dishes in the South African cuisine. Whether you braai it with your chops, steam it with mash and veggies or eat it on your meaty pizza, every South African loves a good boerie – especially with an ice cold Craft Beer! But like most good things, the traditional boerie has been due for an upgrade and thus a diverse group of top South African entrepreneurs would like to introduce to South Africa: GOURMET BOERIE.

The concept behind Gourmet Boerie is all about the traditional Boerewors roll and Craft Beer, with a touch of pizzazz! It boasts a proudly South African stamp, with every item in-store produced locally by South Africans in South Africa. All ingredients and menu items are sourced from local suppliers and manufactured in SA, the merchandise and staff uniforms are made from native hemp, and the furniture has been created by a local designer. The three Craft Beers – Jack Black, Darling Brew and Devils Peak – are pumped from a cold room on site, ensuring ever-cold beer. Local SAB beer, as well as ciders and spritzers for the ladies, are also available.

“We are a Proudly South African business that sells an iconic South African brand in a really fun, sexy and creative space that will be appealing to all South Africans and tourists alike,” pronounces Craig Bright, co-founder of Gourmet Boerie and owner of Rocking the Daisies.

So what’s on the menu? Delicious boerie options include The Breakfast Boerie, The Gorgonzola, The Hangover, The Herbiwors, and even a Kiddies Boerie. Customers have the choice between traditional, lamb, chicken or vegetarian boerewors, with an Ostrich boerewors in the pipeline. All boeries are available on a selection of rolls and for those with a sweet tooth they offer traditional South African desserts such as Koeksisters, Milk Tart and Malva Pudding. Gourmet Boerie caters for every taste bud!

As if that isn’t a big enough bite to chew, the Gourmet Boerie team has also developed their very own, unique boerewors recipe, available to buy and braai in the comfort of your own home – along with incredibly delicious sauces to complement each dish. Furthermore, for sport enthusiasts, there will be two 53” high definition plasma screens, crafting a place where local is truly lekker! It’s the ultimate spot for South Africans to enjoy their own culture cuisine with free Wifi and food for thought while welcoming newcomers to experience South Africa’s firm favourite dish.

Gourmet Boerie has been retailing its succulent boerewors and Craft Beers to the public as from October 2012.You can find them at Buitenkloof Studios on the corner of Buitensingel and Kloof Street. All boeries are available as sit down or takeaway – if you don’t have time to sit down and dine, grab a boerie on the run!

Connect with Gourmet Boerie on:
Website: www.gourmetboerie.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GourmetBoerie
Twitter: @GourmetBoerie

Jose Cuervo Black Food Pairing

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Jade Allen

Jose Cuervo Black Marguerite

This August 2009 hosted the launch of the latest addition to the Jose Cuervo Familia, Jose Cuervo Black, focusing on a slightly more mature target market offering a step up in quality, taste and class, ideal for those who wish to show that they have grown up, not old.

Jose Cuervo Black is aged in charred white American oak barrels for 18 months which softens the agave notes and introduces consumers to a more full bodied Tequila reminiscent of an aged bourbon. Its time in the barrels imparts a deep amber hue to the liquid and aromas of toasted oak, cinnamon, red apple, cocoa and coffee. The taste is thus slightly sweeter than you’d expect but without distracting from the subtle agave notes associated with Tequila. The finish is warm and smooth.

I have included a number of tasty canapé options to pair with Jose Cuervo Black.

Mexican Canapé’s to pair with Jose Cuervo Black

Tortilla Chips with Guacamole & Salsa Mini Corn Cakes with Tropical Salsa

Cheddar Jalapeno Muffins

Roasted Pepper Frittata in Tortilla Shells

Assorted Mini Tostadas with Black Bean Sauce, tomato and Cheese

Quesadillas with Sour Cream, Guacamole and Salsa

Pepper Crusted Beef Fillet with Mango Chutney

Mole Poblano – Beef with Chilis and Chocolate

Salmon Bites with Tequila Citrus Sauce

Coconut Crusted Prawns with Tropical Salsa

Potato Flautas

Lime Tartlets

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Cracked Red

Peppercorns

Oxtail

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Jade Allen

Ingredients:

Oxtail (normally 2 packs for a larger family)
Packet of brown onion soup
1 can of Tab
2 cups tomato sauce
2 cups chutney

How To:

Rub the oxtail in the soup.
Brown in oil.
Add other ingredients.
Bring to boil, reduce heat. Simmer for up to 6 hours.
Check to make sure that it is not cooking dry. If it is, add a little beef stock at a time.
Towards the end of the cooking you can add potatoes and carrots.
Serve on mielie pap or rice.

Source:

Oxtail Stew

http://www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com/south-african-recipes.html

Healthy Grocery List

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Jade Allen

HEALTHY FOOD GROCERY LIST ITEMS TO INCLUDE:

Healthy Groceries

2% milk
Free range eggs
Yoghurt
Green tea brown sugar
Olive oil
Fresh fruit
Vegetables
Weetbix
Whole wheat bread
Cracker bread
Pro vitas
Mozzarella cheese
Marmite
Bovril
Lean chicken
Salmon
Tuna
Green tea
Chamomile tea
Fresh squeezed orange juice
Fresh herbs

Here’s What to Include on Your Healthy Grocery List

Fresh vegetables and fruits should make up the largest part of your healthy foods grocery list. Vegetables and fruits have vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and they are usually low in calories. We all need at least five or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables that everyone in your family will enjoy.

Most of your grain and cereal products should be made from whole grains, not from refined flours. This part of your list includes whole grain breads, whole grain pastas, and whole grain breakfast cereals. Whole grains are important for vitamins, minerals, and for fiber, which is often lacking in modern diets. Read labels to look for 100% whole-grain or 100% whole-wheat to be sure you are getting whole grain products.

Your protein and meat choices should consist mostly of fish, poultry and lean meats. Eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes are also good protein choices. Choose fresh and frozen unbreaded meats and fish. Avoid breaded, deep-fried convenience foods that you put in the oven. They are high in fats and sodium.

Beverages should be kept simple. Water, low-fat milk, juices and herbal teas are all good choices. If you opt for soft drinks, choose diet sodas and soft drinks to avoid extra sugar.

Dairy products should include low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. If you do not want cows’ milk, choose soy and rice beverages, calcium-fortified orange juice, or goats’ milks and cheese.

Be careful with dressings, cooking oils and condiments. They are sneaky sources of refined sugar and poor quality oils. Read labels to choose dressings made with olive oil, canola oil or walnut oil. Choose low-fat mayonnaise for your sandwiches and choose canola oil and olive oil for cooking.

Frozen foods are a convenient way to keep vegetables on hand. There are also prepared meals that you can pop into the microwave or oven. These can be convenient and healthy if you choose low fat versions with good portion sizes. Read labels and chose frozen foods wisely. Avoid frozen pizzas, pocket-sandwiches, deep-fried appetizers, and breaded foods.

Foods in cans and jars are also very convenient. Look for low-sodium soups, vegetables and sauces. Avoid high-fat gravies and high-calorie foods like canned spaghetti and ravioli products.

For sandwiches, choose peanut butter or other nut butters, low-fat turkey slices or sliced roast beef. Avoid processed lunch meats, sausages and hot dogs.

Don’t load up on high calorie treats and desserts. Choose fresh fruits, healthy nuts, seeds and whole grain crackers for snacks.

Prawn Stir Fry

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Jade Allen

Prawn stir fry

Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter
1 chopped onion
1 diced chillie
1 teaspoons crushed ginger & garlic
½kg mixed veg (mushrooms, asparagus. baby sweet corn, sweet peas, broccoli, red pepper, red onion, carrots, celery, etc)
1 kg shelled deveined prawns
salt
soya sauce
sweet chillie sauce
1 bunch coriander
Noodles

How to:

heat butter
add prawns and fry till brown
add onions and chillies fry until brown
add ginger & garlic
add all veggies stirring occasionally
add soy sauce and a table spoon of sweet chilli
lower the heat and add salt
leave to simmer for 5minutes
lastly add in boiled noodles and fresh coriander

30 Baking Soda Tips By Green Living Tips

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Jade Allen

Baking soda – 30 handy tips

Special note: always spot test any home concoctions first before going all out.

Kitchen

- A bowl of baking soda in your fridge will help remove excess moisture and absorb odors.

- Sprinkle some in your veggies crisper and cover with a cloth or paper towel for crisper veggies that last longer.

- Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for cleaning out your refrigerator and benchtops without scratching.

- Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains, plus your oven will microwave will smell fresher too.

- Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of rubbish bags will help to control odors as you add trash.

- To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.

- Baking soda can be thrown on stove fires to extinguish the flames. The carbon dioxide generated when the powder burns starves the fire of oxygen.

- Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 – 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.

General home

- Anywhere that moisture is a problem, such as cupboards under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity. You’ll need to occasionally stir the powder for maximum effective life.

- Crayon or texta marks on walls? Try applying baking soda/water paste on an old toothbrush and lightly brush the affected area.

- Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.

- Sprinkle some baking soda into your vacuum bag to help reduce musty/pet smells being spread throughout your house when vacuuming.

- Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorising treatment. Most carpet powders you buy are baking soda based! Just a brief note on this – not recommended for areas that are very humid as the baking soda may stay in the carpet.

- Mops can really stink out areas where they are stored. If your mop is getting on the nose, don’t throw it out, try soaking it in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda and a gallon of water for a while.

- Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn’t be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.

Plumbing

- As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.

Garden

- Baking soda can deter ants – pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won’t cross it.

- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of (earth friendly) dish detergentent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.

Laundry

- Work a baking soda and water paste onto stains prior to washing to help remove them from the fabric.

- Half a cup of baking soda added to a full load of washing will help brighten your wash and remove odors.

Workshop/auto

- Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply with a pot scourer to remove light rusting

- A baking-soda/water paste applied to chrome surfaces, allowed to dry then buffed off will leave chrome shining!

- Baking soda applied to fresh grease and oil spills on your garage floor will draw away the oil, which can then be scraped off.

Pets

- Baking soda lightly sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odor.

- Eliminate odor after you’ve cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda; allow to dry and then vacuum.

Personal

- Whoofy shoes getting you down? Get a couple of old socks, fill up the toe secitions with baking soda, place into the offending shoes and leave overnight to help remove odors.

- A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.

- A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as mouthwash.

- Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste

Miscellaneous

- To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.

- Sprinkle your Christmas tree with baking soda to mimick snow – a much more environmentally friendly alternative to some of those chemical snow sprays!

With so many uses you’ll likely use a lot and buying baking soda in small boxes probably won’t be too economical. Have a chat to your local baker who may be able to supply you with larger quantities or try contacting a bakery supplies company as some sell direct to the public.

You can also save money on baking soda by re-using it. For example, once it has served its purpose as a fridge deodoriser you can put it down your sink to help keep your drains clear.

Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com

Clear Chicken Soup

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Jade Allen

Ingredients:

1 chicken
Fresh parsley
3 large carrots
Garlic
2 cubes of Chicken stock
Salt pepper
1 table spoon of oil