Smoked Snoek Tartlets and Soup for a quick supper!

A dozen of these Smoked Snoek Tartlets and some chunky vegetable soup, saved my behind last night for supper. I don't know about you, but my days are definitely a few hours too short and at the end of each day I have too many items that I need to move onto tomorrow's schedule. Having two children preparing for exams and sport and choir practices, does not make this any easier. I suppose this is why my blog was started in the first place...to show mums in my situation it can be done.....

Countdown to Christmas Menu - Starters

Yes! The countdown to Christmas has begun and in 20 days we will hopefully all be celebrating with friends and family whether it be at our homes, a some beach resort or a  far off  holiday destination. Regardless of where we will be, I read and hear about Christmas menus everyday. Moms, grannies and wifes all walk up and down the shop aisles with long lists to get everything ready for this special day on our calender.

Proudly South African Seafood Potjiekos

Potjiekos is as South African as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Table Mountain and I am convinced if all the politicians in South Africa would join me for a delicious Seafood Potjiekos, maybe on top of Table Mountain, we could solve a few issues right there and then. Potjiekos, literally translated "small pot of food", is meant to bring people together around simple, rustic food, a principle that is very near and dear to my heart.

Two Oceans Cookoff...and the winners are.....

In Cape Town this month the Two Oceans Cook Off  followed quickly on the heels of the Master Chef Style cooking competition at the Table Bay. It was different to the Table Bay in a sense that couples worked together and I had "hubby" as a sous chef but with the Two Oceans event it was totally different......

One can of tuna - Tuna Pinwheels

Who would have imagined that a humble can of tuna could cause such a stir. I have had such a response to the first of my series, One can of tuna - Tuna Pie, that I am so excited to be sharing this recipe with you. Kids, grannies, nannies, teachers, ravenous husbands, just about everybody love these little savory nibbles.

One can of Tuna -Tuna Pie

Question: How do you tun-a-fish?   Answer: " Howzit fish? Just a silly joke I have heard on the streets here in Cape Town, but because tuna is seen as a bit common and low class in some households, I thought it was an appropriate beginning to this post....

Shrimp/Prawns, call it what you like. Let's just boil it!

I think my fascination with shrimp or prawns started when Bubba said to Forest Gump: "Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried.

Cook and Enjoy - Traditional Smoorsnoek - a Cape Classic

"Cook and Enjoy" is a South African treasure as much as Table Mountain, Nelson Mandela, rugby and of course Traditional Smoorsnoek which I will deal with in the latter part of this post. In South Africa this recipe book was and is part of the right of passage to many a Afrikaner girl and aspiring wife. In its original form it was called "Kook en Geniet"  and its author was a name well-known before the likes of Julia Child and Jamie Oliver hit the scene...

Big Fish Pie - enough to feed a hungry lot!

This big-fish-pie will NEVER be big enough, I promise you. It does not matter if you make a double batch, it will be gobbled up in no time. I don't know what it is really, whether it is the fact that it is such a comforting meal, or whether it seems very luxurious, but the fact remains, it is a keeper.

Shrimp or prawns? For this Avocado Ritz you can use both!

There is major confusion about the difference between shrimp and prawns. Fact is, it is really not the same thing, however confusion arises when we hear Americans refer to prawns as "shrimp".Physically they look very similar but there is one sure way to tell them apart.(see picture below)

A Mexican Recipe for Fish and Bean Salsa - Buen Apetito!

I do have not many Mexican recipes in my repertoire and quite frankly I am a bit cautious of cooking authentic Mexican food. I know we can all make fajitas and quesidillas, but these Tex Mex recipes does for Mexican cooking  what Sweet and Sour Pork does for Chinese cooking. I have never been to Mexico, but I wonder if the average Mexican ever sees a quesidilla on his or her plate.

Fish Cakes or Crab Cakes - you choose!

I have posted many fish cake recipes on this site, because you see, fish cakes go down really well in this house. Let me see, first there was Fish Cakes with Mushy Peas, then Fish Cakes made with Healthy Sardines and last but not least Thai Fish Cakes. The latest addition to my Fish Cake "Collection" is in my opinion the best one, but I implore you to give them all a try and let me know which one you prefer.

Soufflé with Smoked Snoek and Goat's Cheese

Making a Soufflé has always been kind of tricky for me up till now. I've made some disaster soufflés in the past, yet I keep on trying, because I have this thing about giving up on recipes. The thought of making a soufflé came to me when my Mom and Dad arrived with some Smoked Snoek from the West Coast. My family is not keen on eating snoek because this fish has so many bones. So whenever I use snoek, I use it in de-boned and flaked form.....

Best Seafood Stew I've ever had......

It really was the Best Seafood Stew that I have ever had......it was fragrant, light and slightly spicy. Although it is still definitely summer around here, yesterday for some reason it was rainy and cold, so I felt like soup, but not a thick and chunky winter soup.

Grilled Fish - Scrumptious summer food

Grilled fish, grilled chicken, grilled steak.....you might think Nina is totally lost it and that this blog will never return to what it was. Well, this site is all about making cooking "easy" and simple and grilling is one of the easiest and most delicious ways of cooking.

Bean Recipes - Warm Bean and Potato Salad!

 

Bean recipes are what I look for these days when I open a new food magazine or recipe book. "Why?" would you ask and would say, "because we are eating more and more beans in this house and less and less red meat!"

Seafood Pasta does not have to be so complicated!

Seafood pasta really does not have to be all that elaborate and expensive. Yes, I know you can add lobster, crab, clams and whatever other expensive ingredients you can lay your hands on, but for a simple home cook like me, it has to be cheap, easy but yet packed with flavor.

Sardines/pilchards - they make the healthiest fish cakes ...I think!

Sardines or pilchards must be the humblest of all seafood and yet it is packed with vital nutrients like Omega 3 - fatty acids as well as vit D, Calcium and B12. Taking all this into consideration, sardines or pilchards must be one of the best proteins to consume. Omega 3-fatty acids is essential in maintaining a healthy heart and it also helps to control blood sugar levels. What makes these little fish even healthier for you is that fact that their mercury levels are very low compared to the bigger fish like tuna.

Fresh Salad with Prawns, Pineapple and Pomegranate!

"A fresh salad is what I desperately need, " declared my husband on our way back from a few glorious days at our house in Colchester on the Sundays River.

Asian Recipes - Panfried Hake with Spicy Satay salad

Asian recipes have always inspired me and although I am not at all claiming to know a lot, I learn new recipes every day and I would say from eating Thai food every once in a while when we went out for a meal, we are now enjoying Thai food at least once or even twice a month...and I can make it myself!!