Cape Town Gastronomic Adventure

The "Mother City", as Cape Town is known in SA, is also very much recognised for its amazing culinary experiences against the backdrop of Table Mountain, Table Bay and the Winelands. Having been to Cape Town a couple of times already, we came prepared for a gastronomic adventure in and around the City Bowl, and what an adventure it was! 

Table Bay Hotel and Green Point Stadium

We started our trip on a Sunday, and let me just pause here to recommend that you try to avoid Sundays and Mondays in Cape Town as many places are closed and you end up jumping from place to place trying to find one that is open. We were lucky enough though, to land at Hudsons - The Burger Joint on Kloof Street where a carefully crafted selection of gourmet burgers and local beer brews awaited, not to mention the staff who were just great...

Tortellino D'Oro - Authentic Italian Restaurant

Source: http://www.tortellino.co.za

Food: Italian, Pasta

Wine: Good Selection, although Pricey.
Service: Good. Still room for improvement.
Ambiance: Casual, smarter in the evenings.
In a nutshell: Hearty food, nice wine and good service. Homemade pasta and excellent fresh ingredients and combinations thereof are the signature of this restaurant, with owners always present and an excellent culinary experience almost certain. Always a great choice, although rather on the pricey side. You should book for dinner.
City: Johannesburg, South Africa
Address: Oaklands Shopping Centre. C/o Pretoria Str & Victoria Rd. Oaklands. View Map
Tel: 011 483 1249
Website: http://www.tortellino.co.za/

I've always been a fan of Italian cooking for its relaxed and casual style, yet color and flavor full meals, with another take on vegetables and a great deal of olive oil. Italian food, however, is much broader than one sometimes imagines, with dishes varying from very fresh and summer toned to creamy and rich.

Source: http://www.tortellino.co.za

Source: http://www.tortellino.co.za

We've found a place right here in Johannesburg where all these flavors coincide and where you can sit down to indulge or buy a whole lot of goodies from the deli to keep enjoying at home, this place is Tortellino D'Oro... 

Daddy's Deals - Groupon's got competition!

Remember I mentioned there is a site named Groupon where you can get excellent deals in South Africa? well they apparently have just gotten some competition! Kulula has entered the deal madness too! check it out. Daddy's Deals 

Love, iSa

The Good Food Studio (Pick n Pay) - Indian Cooking Class

Photo: Pick n Pay website

First of all, apologies for the long absence, but have been busy looking for my dream job lately and hope you can understand that it has taken priority at the moment. I also felt the two long weeks of no writing, I missed it terribly and I have so much to tell you about!!!

The other night my friend Sonia and I went to try our culinary skills and learn some more. We headed to The Good Food Studio in the Pick n Pay on William Nicol. 

Photo: Pick n Pay website

We stumbled upon these cooking classes at The Good Food Studio via our daily email intake of Groupon special promotions... 

Prawns in Lemongrass and Honey sauce - MexicAsian Fajitas

Signature dish by iSa

Type: Main

Prep Time: 30 - 40 mins

Cooking Time: 10 mins

Servings: 7-8 Portions (depending on portion size)

Ingredients:

• 2.5 kg of prawns peeled seasoned with a bit of sea salt
• 2 Lemongrass Stalks finely chopped (preferably crushed in a mortar)
• 1 big fat Ginger root, peeled and grated or finely chopped
• 50 - 70 gr Honey
• 5 big fresh Garlic cloves finely chopped
• 2 Lemons
• Vegetable Oil
• 2 shots of Tequila
• Red Kidney Beans
• Sour Cream
• Cheddar
• Jalapeños
• 16-20 Tortillas
• Hot Mexican Salsa or Salsa Chipotle
• 1 bowl (250 -300 gr) of Guacamole
• 1 Bowl (200 gr) of Pico de Gallo

Guacamole

Sauces by iSa

Type: Sauce

Prep Time: 10 - 15 mins 

Cooking Time: 0 mins

Servings: 6 - 8 Portions (depending on portion size)

Ingredients:

• 4 Ripe Avocados
• 1/3 Bunch Coriander finely chopped
• 1 Lemon 
• 1 Chili finely chopped or 2 sliced Jalapeños
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cayenne Pepper
• Ingredients for variations: Sour cream or cream, Powdered Lemon Tajin (my dear friend Lucia brings it for us from Mexico), Tomato Brunoise.

How to make Guacamole: Peel the avocados and put in the flesh in a bowl (keep 1 or 2 of the pits on the side). Mash the Avos until arriving at an almost homogeneous puree. Stir in the juice of 1 lemon, the coriander, chili and salt and pepper to taste. Try it and see if needs more seasoning. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle some cayenne pepper on top for a more colorful presentation.

Variations: If you like...

...a more creamy Guacamole, stir in a bit of cream or sour cream.

...to use it for dipping nachos, then stir in some small tomato cubes (brunoise).

...to make use of mexican goodies, sprinkle with some Powdered lemon Tajin instead of the Cayenne pepper.


Enjoy as a dip for nachos or pair with any mexican meal, or Latin American for that matter, we all love it!


Love, iSa