Category Archives: The Recipes

Spinach (and Rosemary!) Muffins…and a little Xhosa lesson

Category : The Recipes

“Molo!” (Xhosa greeting)

“Unjani?” (Xhosa for ‘how is -all- your family?… Because it would be rude to only ask how one is doing.)

Anyway–

I’m not a huge rosemary fan, but I couldn’t believe how well it accents the spinach and peppadews in this recipe. While it is my recipe, I cannot take credit for the inspiration. Our townhome is on the top of Baakens Valley overlooking a small, quaint coffee shop called the “Friendly Stranger.” This coffee shop has an eclectic vibe, mismatched table wear and coffee cups, live music, award winning baristas, the walls are large hinged doors that can be moved to the side for an open-air feel– and to top it off– the most AMAZING food! I was determined to recreate their version of a spinach muffin (and came pretty close!). I wish that you could join me for one of their muffins in person, but (unless you’re planning a trip to South Africa) we’ll have to enjoy the same muffin miles apart.

Spinach and Rosemary Muffins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grease muffin tin with canola oil.

Mix together:
2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 (250g) bag of spinach (rinsed, dried, and shredded)
1/4 cup Feta cheese
1/4 cup cheddar cheese (I like medium)
1/2 cup diced peppadews (sweet piquante peppers)
2 T. Parmesan cheese (finely shredded)

In a separate bowl, mix:
1 1/3 cup milk
1 egg
90g butter, melted
1 T. Dried Rosemary
1 tsp. dried oregano

Add milk mixture to flour and stir just until combined.

Drop by spoonful into greased muffin tin (to the top), place in preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Serve warm or cold (I prefer warm with a piping hot Americano). The Friendly Stranger garnishes it with additional shredded cheddar cheese. Either way–

Enjoy!

20130806-211348.jpg


Cosmopolitan pizza

Category : The Recipes

This recipe is based on a pizza from St. Elmo’s Pizza Way in Port Elizabeth, SA.

Ingredients:
1 pizza crust recipe (makes two pies, but toppings listed below are only for one pie)

8 oz. cream cheese
1 package back bacon (or Canadian Bacon), diced
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 jar Sweet Chili Sauce
1-2 cups grilled chicken breast, cut into strips (optional)

Instructions:
1. Prepare crust per directions

2. Soften cream cheese. Spread onto prepared crust.

3. Sprinkle cheese and bacon on top of cream cheese.

4. Drizzle sweet chili sauce over the pie.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 mins.

NOTE: for the unused pizza dough– we love to brush with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Garlic and bake. Once out of the oven top it with cilantro (or arugula), feta cheese, and avocado slices.


Mmm Mmm Carrot Cake

Category : The Recipes

All South Africans LOVE carrot cake! Here is our favorite one so far:

Ingredients:
4 Eggs
1 cup puréed butternut squash
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix the above together. Then add:

2 cups flour (cake flour works great, but all-purpose is fine)
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Stir until combined. Fold in:

3 cups grated carrots

Pour into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Optional icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 T. real butter, softened

Cream icing ingredients together and spread on top of your cooled cake.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee and say a prayer for Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Pray for:
*Coega (pronounced: cooga) Door of Hope Children’s Home (DOH). DOH currently has 42 of the most beautiful children that have been abandoned for one reason or another.

20130401-093418.jpg