July Supper Club inspired by SARS

I blame SARS. If something happens to me in the next few days I will blame it on SARS - if I get pulled over for speeding, get a parking fine, am abusive or offensive to tellers or innocent bystanders it is all because of that little government building on Lower-Long Street. Today will mark my third and please to goodness last visit to this architectural masterpiece (please note the sarcasm).

I am an E-filer, oh yes, and E-filing is magical UNTIL you need to change your bank details or residential address (God-forbid) you, like me, rent from, rather than own your property. You cannot change these details online, you must go there and do it face to face. (I can appreciate that they are lessening the chances of fraud in this case.) BUT it has taken me 8 pieces of paper, 2 affidavits, 2 certified copies of ID documents, 2 trips to the police station, 286 Mg of data, 43 minutes of airtime, R22.50 in parking fees, a fight with a parking attendant and approximately 2 years off my life to change the branch code on my banking details - that's right - I don't want to move to Australia, I haven't even changed the actual bank I use, I just needed to change 3 digits on my banking details.

So what conclusions have I drawn from this drawn-out saga:

1. Even if your bank manager is an idiot - don't change your bank - SARS will make you suffer.
2. If you want to have a good therapy session go and sit in a queue at SARS, you will find camaraderie and kinship with everyone there, make life-long friends and possibly even find yourself a husband or wife.
3. I need a drink - a big one. Which has spurred me on to get the next supper club menu out so that I have a superb excuse to drink too much delicious wine and eat too much delicious food with delicious people and not talk about tax.

So here it is:

This months' supper club is a special supper club as it will be the last one for the year in Cape Town, I am off to Johannesburg in the first week of August for work for 3 months. It will also, once again, be a Sunday lunch as Sunday is my only day off but the last one proved a magical success with beautiful weather and a roaring fire.

This months' supper club has been inspired by spices, call it a spice-tour supper club if you will. I love Indian food - really love it - but it doesn't have to be all Rogan Josh and Korma cream - it can be delicate and warming, light and sophisticated. It's all about spice and flavour combinations and exploring them with an open mind and a big appetite.

The starter is a taste sensation: 3 types of samosas using traditional spices but with the twist of using ingredients that aren't usually associated with these little triangular treats - delicious combinations of sweet and spicy, tangy and delicate.

The main is a modern take on an old favourite: Chicken Biryani served in individual ramekins topped with coriander and toasted almonds and served with an array of accompaniments: Mango Atchar, cucumber & mint raita, tomato and chilli raita and hand made rotis - delicious! (I will make a vegetarian variation for any tree-huggers out there :)

The dessert combines all my favourite things: Pears, wine, spices, chocolate, cream and cheescake - a trio of delights that compliment each other beautifully giving you sweet, spicy, tangy, tart and creamy all on one luxurious plate - yes please!

All important details:
Date: Sunday 24th July
Time: 1 for 1.30pm
Address: 14 Orchard Heights, Newlands (Anyone needing directions, please feel free to ask)
Cost: R170 per person
(There will be a vegetarian option for the main)
Bring your own wines and a good appetite (For those of you wanting wine advice I am happy to make suggestions, but to be honest no one's judging and as long as you're happy that's all that counts!)
RSVP: kliquorish@gmail.com