Health has been a bit of a buzzword in the Melkkos & Merlot kitchen of late. Coming from the queen of butter and cream, this is strange I know. What triggered the madness? First, I was invited to the launch of Parmalat’s new range of cottage cheese. Already the biggest cheese brand in the country, Parlamat has now expanded their [...]
HARRIED: ‘Feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one.’ And that folks in a word is what I’ve been lately – harried. Which explains why there was no recipe last week. What there was, was total chaos at Chez Melkkos & Merlot. Because why? Because roof. A week ago I had a roof and now, R100 [...]
Week two of avoiding carbs and I’m doing just fine. In fact, I’m loving it. Mostly because in the last week I’ve managed to pack away sushi (erm, rice), a pork and roast fennel burger (erm, bread) and a seriously deevine little crayfish pasta dish I slapped together from my super secret crustacean freezer stash. I told myself if I [...]
A worried reader contacted me a few days ago to enquire about my startling lack of a post last week. The explanation for my absence is simple. It goes like this: lipstick on a pig. You see, like any other cook, I have bad days in the kitchen – especially when I’m originating recipes. When I’m on post deadline and [...]
My love of carbs is well known. I wouldn’t quite kill for a good pasta with a rich lamb ragu, but it’s close. I blame the one eighth Italian in my veins. Its cousin, polenta, is just as satisfying, and I don’t think it gets the attention it deserves. Like dry pasta, it cooks in about 10 minutes, is cheap [...]
It started with the Great British Bake Off, followed locally by DStv’s marvellous Koekedoor. All over the country kitchen drawers, not opened for decades, are being scoured for piping bags and palette knives. Yup folks, baking is the new sexy. Last week I was fortunate enough to have tea at the charming M Patisserie in Stellenbosch. It belongs to Martjie [...]