Kitchen Hacks: The Best Way to Braai a Chicken

In the latest episode of Kitchen Hacks I investigate the best way to braai/barbecue a chicken. I try the top three methods on the internet, namely: Spatchcock Chicken, Smoked Chicken and the Beer Butt Chicken...

How to make the perfect Toasted Cheese

The best toasted cheese

My latest episode of Kitchen Hacks is all about how to make the perfect toasted cheese sandwich.

Mustard Cream Sauce

This is one of those simple and delicious things in life. I created this recipe when I was catering for big functions as a sauce to go with fillet and chicken and kept being asked for the recipe, but because I'd only ever made it in massive quantities, I'd never taken the time to create a recipe to serve at a dinner party. Until now.

Butternut and Coriander Salad

A stunning side-dish that's got just right amount nuttiness and citrus in the dressing to cut through the fragrant coriander and spiced butternut. Add the crunch of pumpkin seeds and you're set for a winning combo. 'Who needs lettuce?' I say!

Easiest, Gooiest, Chocolate Brownies

You can make these brownies using only 5 ingredients. They're quick, easy and delightfully gooey. The other day I was sent a whole range of sugars from Natura Sugars and I have to say their sugars are pretty damn perfect for baking. For these brownies, use either the Light Muscovado or the Fine Demerara, alternatively you can use castor sugar :)

Apple and Celery Slaw

I needed to make something to pair with the pork belly I was cooking on the braai. I decided to make a light apple and celery slaw - it cuts through the richness of the fatty pork and really brings a freshness to a dish that's often times a little too heavy. I barbecued the pork belly with maple syrup and sesame oil and served it with this slaw, homemade mayonnaise and fresh ciabatta bread.

Whole Trout stuffed with Pancetta and Fennel

My recent trip to Italy meant the most decadent food markets, the best tomatoes, the most unbelievable cheese and the most outrageous, fresh pasta. I came back a little heavier than expected... But, my favourite meal of the trip had to be the whole stuffed Trout I made for lunch one day. I got up early in the morning and set off to the fish shop and to my glee I found the freshest, plumpest trout I'd set my eyes on in eons. I had to have it. And, since I was in Italy, I thought to pair it with some magical Italian ingredients: pancetta and fennel. Simple, but out of this world good.

I served mine with a simple rocket salad and a loaf of ciabatta. Heaven!

Smoked Trout Salad

An easy, luscious salad that's perfect for this marvellous bloomin weather. With a creamy dill-yoghurt dressing that'l change your life just a little bit. I have to say I'd recommend serving this with a crisp ciabatta (sorry banters!)

Lemon and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

'Simple and delicious': my favourite description for food. Chicken breasts tend to be on the dry side so stuffing them with cheese, especially ricotta or feta, will keep them succulent and tender. Lemon and chicken are also best friends so you're always going to win when you pair the two of them together.

Easy Pork Fillet Casserole

This is a little one-pot wonder that will not fail to impress. Pork fillet is delicate and easily dries out so this is the perfect way to ensure that stays tender and juicy. I often add a tablespoon or two of creme fraiche just before serving to add a little richness to the dish.

Chicken and Pawpaw Skewers with Chimichurri dressing

A simple, but delicious way to sex-up your chicken breasts; sweet pawpaw, slightly charred with succulent chicken all doused in a spicy chimichurri dressing. I make these skewers on the stove in a large frying pan as I feel that doing them on the braai can sometimes dry them out a little, but it's up to you!

Ultimate Pulled Pork Sandwich

I'm pretty sure I've created the ultimate pulled pork sandwich...that's an extreme statement I do realise, but I don't think you can go wrong with succulent, slightly sweet and spiced pulled pork, crunchy coleslaw with a touch of fresh ginger and home-made mayo on crisp ciabatta...

Easy Mayonnaise

Nothing beats home-made mayonnaise, NOTHING! home-made vs store-bought is like butter vs margarine in my books...alright you do get some great store-bought options but they're still filled with preservatives and everything unnatural. A lot of people avoid making their own mayonnaise because they find it tricky but in the latest episode of Kitchen Hacks I show you that it really isn't

The easiest way to make Popcorn

In my latest episode of Kitchen Hacks, my Youtube channel, I investigated the easiest way to make popcorn and the result may be surprising to some as the answer is in the microwave, but not in a store-bought bag, just a regular paper bag and 2 1/2 minutes of your time will give you perfectly popped popcorn!

Raw Beetroot, Carrot and Baby Cabbage Salad

This is an awesome salad; crunchy, wholesome, packed full of flavour and no lettuce in sight :) I like to serve it with grilled chicken breasts and home-made mayonnaise.

Lemongrass-Rooibos Poached Chicken Salad

I got asked to take part in the #PowerOfYou Fairtrade Fortnight campaign aimed at inspiring people to think twice about where and how their food products are sourced. They want to inspire people to support Fairtrade products, which I think is both important and awesome. They sent me a box filled with Fairtrade goodies, amongst which were 3 starred items, which they asked me to use in a recipe. My ingredients were: lemongrass rooibos tea, rainbow peppercorns and a spicy Chakalaka relish - so without further ado - here it is:

Salad Jars

I looooove me a salad jar - it's such a simple idea and yet it's just so clever - the reason your salads go soggy a few hours after making them as that you've been layering them in the wrong order - lettuce and leaves need to go on the top and the hardier ingredients, and those they seep any liquid over time, need to go on the bottom.

How to cook the perfect steak

I investigated how to cook the perfect steak and after trying and testing the internet's best, I've come up with my conclusion:

Fig and Danish feta salad

Figs are in season in South Africa and I think it's bloody marvelous! Instead of just having them with a cheese board, I'm opting to use them as the hero in a salad, pairing them with salty Danish feta which works like a dream (you could also use blue cheese or holloumi) The peppery rocket and spinach really cut through the sweetness of the figs which helps bring all the flavours together. Damn, their good.

Easing your load shedding stress with #Smartcooking

The Wonderbag

I've come up with some #Smartcooking tips to ease your load shedding stress:

Vietnamese Rice Spring Rolls with chicken and pomegranate

These have to be one of the easiest things to make, but they're just delicious. They look beautiful, they're pretty healthy and they're something a little different.

How to make the creamiest mashed potato

The latest episode of Kitchen Hacks is all about how to make the creamiest mashed potatoes. I look at 3 methods and show you which is best as well as give you 4 tips on how to prepare your potatoes before mashing.

Retreat: The Joy of Conscious Eating

3 Ways to Poach an Egg

It's easier than you think. The most important, number 1, rule of all rules being: you have to use FRESH eggs. If you don't, the white will separate from the yolk in the water and it just won't work. Having said this, I present you with the 3 best ways to poach an egg:

Slow cooked, Asian-style Pulled Pork

Here's a gorgeous go-to recipe that takes 5 minutes to put on in the morning and requires very little attention at all. It's quick, easy and absolutely delicious. If you don't have a slow cooker you could do this in a heavy based pot on the stove on lowest heat, but you may need to turn it more often to stop the pork and juices from sticking to the bottom.

Tomato and Pomegranate salad

I borrowed this idea from the marvelous Robyn Maclarty whose blog Koek is a favourite of mine. I've tweaked her idea somewhat and made it to go alongside some simple fried chicken breasts and sweet potatoes. It's humorously Christmassy for this time of year, but it's a healthy Christmassy recipe for those who want to plan way, way ahead or for those, like me, just like bright, summery salads :)