Christmas in July

The only one this year took place with Nifty 50's Group at my place. Candles, little gifts, Christmas tree, singing lights and some tinsel added a lovely festive touch.
We had a great time with some fun Christmas Trivia and sharing of the corny jokes in the bon bons. Carol singing led by Heather Pinel and assisted by Chris Bratby was another enjoyable aspect of the meal.
The Menu:
Starter: Caramelised onion & feta tartlets with salad garnish
Mains: Grain mustard and marmalade glazed ham, Herb crusted turkey with cranberry & assorted mustards & gravy, steamed greens and roast potato.
Dessert: Fruit cake with toffee sauce & icecream, South African Transkei Mud.

CATERING BOOKINGS

Catering only has been my focus for a very hectic few months because I will be away in South Africa spending time with my darling grandson primarily and the rest of the family

from 10th July till 10th September

I WILL BE AWAY AND THEREFORE UNAVAILABLE EXCEPT TO APPLY FOR BOOKINGS

This you can do via email:rvbratby@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on this website. I will be checking and therefore reply to your request as soon as I am able.


Thanks for all your support in the past year. Catch up with you soon

Lists and life

As with cooking, life needs lists in order to prepare properly.

The next couple of weeks will see me running on fumes as I try and balance what is on my CATERING list with my OVERSEAS list and getting the HOME prep list completed too...

All very exciting and.. also a bit stressful.

Need to remember to keep in mind the goal: ENJOY the cooking, enjoy the anticipation of seeing family, enjoy the knowledge that the meals and prep done will be appreciated by those left here!

not only about money

this coming saturday we are having an op shop ball to raise funds for cerebral palsy children in Cape Town, so the thing I will be doing is what I know best: cooking. I am making some biltong, south african tipsy tart and koeksusters for sale. You interested in buying some? All proceeds to the Sibongile Day & Night Care Centre. Just contact me.

SPECIAL AT COLES

If you are a seafood lover, Coles Wyoming is having a special on marinara mix and here is something I am doing with it today for dinner, maybe you would like to try it?
You will need some coriander, onion, coconut milk and yellow thai paste (or if you have other thai use that),rice noodles, I have used homemade fishstock but you can use bought or chicken/veg stock.
Fry you onion in a bit of oil, add a GOOD tablespoon of your paste,[I also added extra garlic & ginger] and fry till fragrant, add your stock and some coconut cream/milk and some coriander, cook on low till onion soft. [I also add a good splash of fish sauce and lime juice]. Taste the sauce, adjust seasoning to your taste and then add the seafood. Cook ONLY until tender. Check after 10 minutes. Add some more coconut milk if you like and fresh chopped coriander. Serve over rice noodles (cook according to pkt directions) ENJOY.
PS if you not a curry fan, just buy some shop pasta sauce and dilute a bit, heat up and add your marinara mix and serve over spaghetti. YUMMY

Strange but true

People who know me have heard me croon over brussel sprouts (which are called "flowers" as in, I have bought my mom some flowers for mothers' day. And when I feel like a bowl of comfort food I tend to cook a LOT of cauliflower till it is soft enough to mash, and add sometimes just pepper and go into a trance as I enjoy warm mouthfuls. I would be interested to know what, you, besides Chocolate ladies & gents enjoy for comfort food??

Going on holiday

What does prep for a prolonged solo "holiday" look like for a caterer plus wife & stepmom? Well, today it began with a shop and some thoughts of cooking ahead. In the 2 hours since starting the following can be ticked off: 4 x ten serves each of soups for lunches done; cooking in crockpot 6 serves of beef & veg stew;in oven 4 serves of chicken & veg curry; in oven 2 serves of steak&kidney. 1st stage prep for chicken & mushroom pasta bake x 6 serves done. 1st stage of baked beans and cornbreadx4serves done. To finish this afternoon: stage one of lasagne x8 serves. Then tomorrow completing all the rest.
It is a good feeling to be doing this because I know that a part of me will be here for the almost 8 weeks I will be away.

Not in the food line but still on holiday theme: I have begun little piles of things I need to pack to take with... and not one pile contains clothing! I also have been doing some computer scrapbooking and ordered a memory book for my grandson cataloging his early years. My late mom's scrapbook done so beautifully by my sister is still to be photographed so I can have a keepsake of this (thanks for the tip Robyn and Cheryl).

A busy time ahead from now till mid July. Guess it keeps me out of mischief hey.

Don't throw it away!

Family has enjoyed the bbq chicken you bought and you are on your way to the garbage with the carcass. DON'T throw it away. Clean out the stuffing and then put the precious bones into a pot. Then.... go into the nether regions of your fridge where the wilted veg all goes to die. Gather all that isn't already completely dead, cut off the grungy bits, wash and chuck into the pot (yes with the peels and all), cut an onion in half & throw into the pot. Add any herbs you have and like, plus some peppercorns, hot water and salt and cook and cook and cook. Strain the stock. when the rest is cool, using clean fingers take any meat off the bones that you can and reserve. Into the stock, add another peeled carrot or two, potato, some leftover veg and or rice from your dinner the night before and cook till soft, mash it up a bit, add the chicken and some pasta or 2 minute noodles, taste & adjust seasoning. ENJOY a very healthy and cheap meal. Next time I will give you a recipe for something quick to go with it.

BROTH & BREAD

Winter is here, but I LOVE IT. You can make a soup EVERY day and no-one will complain. HOME to me is closely linked with the smell of soup coming from the ladies in the neighbourhood we grew up in. And also knowing that MY MOM made the yummiest soups and more than likely if it was cold and/or raining we would be enjoying some on getting home. There is NOTHING that beats the welcome of a bowl of homemade soup, even if the bread is only shop bought. My kitchen cupboard soup often appears at our home. So called because the ingredients were usually around in pantry and fridge and could within 15 minutes be served up. Other favourites are: "jewish mother chicken soup",creamy potato, spicy carrot, roasted pumpkin, minestrone, smokey pea, hearty veg, beef & barley, asian laksa,curried lentil, chinese chicken & noodles/corn,lamb & lentil, creamy seafood broth or a tomato version and the list could go on, but those are the ones you might find around the place from time to time.
As for breads, I am lucky to have a machine, downside is the time it takes to produce a loaf, and if the soup is taking 15 minutes we don't want to wait more than 3 hours for the loaf that takes less than 15 minutes to eat, do we? My substitutes are "muffin breads" which could be corn, bacon, herb, cheese, pesto.... or a quickly thrown together yeast bread like focaccia or pizza base. Other wise grab a long loaf and make it into garlic bread or make cheese toasties... or even cornbread (using polenta).

IF ANY OF THESE HAVE WHET YOUR APPETITE, ask me for a "recipe" or order some and collect on your way home from work.
mmmm winter.....so nice!

Cakes: wedding

Wedding:choc mud with ganache, fresh flowers and white choc hearts
Seen on left with cupcakes at the wedding

Cakes: first birthday

First birthday: white choc cake with fondant icing

Nifty 50's menu

To start creamy carrot soup

Mains of hearty beef stew, pastry garnish,veg & mash

Sweetly followed by self-saucing lemon pudding

Weather & Food

Don't fight your natural desire to warm up during the cold weather. Suddenly hot chocolate and cocoa are your preferences over beer and cold drinks.

TIME TO REPLACE THE SALADS WITH SOUPS!

WATCH UP FOR SOME GOOD RECIPES AND MENU IDEAS.

Proper Baker in my kitchen!

WEDDING AT WAMBERAL 3/4/10

To whet your appetite:
Canapes:
steamed chinese pork buns, steamed mushroom pork buns, coconut crusted prawns, garlic & lemon prawns, bbq chicken thai rice paper rolls, vegetarian rice paper rolls, hawaiian meatballs
Entrees:
Salt & Pepper squid with lime chilli mayo
Polynesian beef skewers
Mains:
Atlantic salmon served with crispy steamed greens
Macadamian crusted chicken & prune chutney served with roast veg & balsamic dressing
Desserts:
Mini pavlovas
Mini lemon meringues
Choc fountain with fruit
Wedding cake: caramel mud and white choc mud cakes

Need standby & quick vegetarian breakfast solution?

Fry a dozen eggs medium set. Lay out 24 slices of bread (or 12 english muffins or 12 wraps). On each slice spread a bit of tomato / bbq / sweet chilli sauce and a slice of cheese. Place cooled egg on top. Add sliced tomato or some mushrooms if you like them. make 12 sandwiches, wrap individually in aluminium foil and freeze. They can be taken out and grilled in oven,in sandwich press or microwaved (without foil)
TRY IT & ENJOY.

Fresh & appetising platters

Watch this space.
Menus
Budget meals
Past functions
and much more