A slice of Opera~

I've been following Australian Masterchef Season 3...yes, South Africa is way behind!!!
We've all learnt so much, including my 3 men....
Last night I was dared to try out my own interpretation of a magnificent slice of "opera" cake created by the judges...

As I was late in catching the show, I did not get to write the recipe, therefore, here goes my version that Wes said I could never piece together.....

........ not as perfect but I'm pretty chuffed with  my version....Look out for the recipe on Friday......enjoy.....

   I  set a tray with a slice and some tea  in a nice quiet space in the warmth of the sun......

I'm linking to Tablescape Thursday for tea.....come along and join me!

Shel

My tissue paper roses~

Blooming delights in my winter garden
Scnted, tissue paper petals sent from heaven
Pure "Joie de Vivre"

In times of  uncertainty
There's no better place to be than one's own garden....

Safe , comforting,  stability
The Fabric of my life!

      The little ruby red vase for just one stem, left behind by my mom~

I hope you have all enjoyed my beautiful blooms as much as I have.....

Shel

Food for my Soul.

He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul..... Psalm 23.

Karoo Lamb Shanks..and a preview of a beautiful Game Lodge

Karoo Lamb Shanks.....slow food!

The ingredients...
6 Karoo lamb shanks
1 litre beef stock and a bottle (750ml) good red wine
fresh chopped rosemary and thyme....lucky me,.it's growing like wildfire here in my herb garden
2 sticks of cinnamon
6 small onions
4 carrots, roughly chopped
2 stalks of celery
2 onions,
4  leeks, chopped
150g tomato paste
50g sugar (or to taste)
salt and pepper to taste
100ml olive oil

Method ~
Turn oven to a low heat, around 150deg C.
Saute leeks, herbs, celery and carrots in a large casserole pot. Add tomato paste and sugar. Cook a few minutes and then brown the shanks on all sides. Add stock and wine. Cover this with a lid and place in the oven for at least 3 or 4 hours until the meat almost falls off the bones.
Serve on a bed of mashed potatoes and vegetables in season.

I've been cooking a lot of Karoo food this week......we are about to leave for the beautiful Karoo today and at the foot of the Sneeuberg mountain range lies this little gem.....Mount Camdeboo Manor Lodge...  Camdeboo a “Place of green hills or pools” in ancient Khoisan.....we will first be driving through Somerset East and Graaff Reinet and reveling in  festivities at the "Biltong Festival".....so I'm looking forward to bringing you lots of photos and information on this part of my beautiful South Africa.....in the meantime...enjoy the two recipes I've posted which originate from this area......you can find the recipe for "Melkkos" here!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Shel

For Ingrid ♥

I've never liked the thought of Sago Pudding....it reminds me of student days...lumpy,gross!
But being married to an Afrikaans guy, who always likes to remind me that he wishes his English wife could just make him 'Melkkos' at some point in time....I thought it would be fitting to make it for him the week of our anniversary.....so thanks to my friend, Bev, for introducing me to a great recipe....here goes the most delicious "Melkkos" I've yet to taste....

The Recipe....
1 cup of sago soaked in 3 cups of water (preferably overnight)
4 cups of milk
salt to taste
5 eggs separated
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
5 Tbsp butter to dot on the top
ground cinnamon

Method~
Drain sago
Preheat oven to 160deg C
Bring milk to the boil
Add sago and salt and simmer until cooked...the sago will look translucent
Beat egg yolks with sugar and add to milk mixture...continue to cook for a further 1 or 2 minutes
Remove from the heat.
Whisk egg whites until stiff and fold into the mixture. Add the vanilla.
Pour half the mixture into a greased ovenproof dish.
Gently spread the apricot jam over the top and then add the other half of the mixture.
Dot with butter...sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until brown and set.

Enjoy my friend!

Shel

Recipe courtesy the Karoo Cookbook.

Where I hang my heart~

It's awesome weather here again....I feel like I'm on an island somewhere...
Just the two of us at home again.....here are some photos of  my garden....

  27 years .......12 July

 And an exquisite morning to celebrate........

I'm joining Teatime Tuesdays

and Tablescape Thursdays

Come join me in my garden for tea.