Sophia Lindop - A Unique Food Experience

A thought

My Lebanese grandfather used to say, "A clever man learns from his own mistakes.  A wise man learns from the mistakes of others."  Pretty profound!

Worth a million dollars? You decide...

I was watching Oprah after a tough day some two weeks ago, when she had a lady on her show who had just won a million US dollars for a recipe she submitted and created for Pillsbury.  I was riveted to my seat, pen and paper at hand, to write down this million dollar creation!  I think I was expecting too much! 

Anyway, I was happy for the lady - she was a mother and housewife, and Pillsbury would pay out her winnings annually (I think around $250 000 per year over the next few years) to help pay for her kids' education.  That was admirable and worth celebrating!

Here goes with the recipe -

Life's little rewards

You know those people that you meet in your life, and you just know that they are there for the long haul?  Well, a few years ago (I am trying to remember exactly when - I think around 2002) I was at the PAN African Market in Long Street, Cape Town, when I witnessed an old tourist couple being ripped off.  They obviously didn't know that one is expected to barter for everything, and so they were about to pay way too much for an item when my conscience took over and I stepped in - The Queen of Planet Barter!  I could see the shop owner shudder!  Anyway, I helped them buy what they wanted at a fair price, and so we got chatting.  Their names were Brain and Violet, and they were from Wales - both in their seventies, but passionate about life!  We had a lot in common!  So we chatted a bit, and as we parted, I handed them my card.  I had just completed my tourism course and was about to start a business.

Something olde, something new

I am sure that you have figured out by now that I am passionate about stories!  Real life stories!  So, yesterday's Cape Times really grabbed me!  The front and back page dated back to the times of my great grandparents, and read, "A riveting read since 1876."  I was in heaven! 

But, before I tell you more about what it said, I thought I'd tell you of the day I visited the National Library in 2000.  I was on a mission to find my then not-yet-husband a special gift for his 50th birthday.  I requested the Cape Times from February 1950 (he is a Valentine's baby) that they store on microfiche.  So, there I was, scrolling through history...  I found the page from February 14th, 1950 and started reading.  It was mind boggling, but what moved me to tears was, when I, completely by accident, stumbled upon his birth announcement in the following day's classifieds.  So, I had a copy made of the front page of the day of his birth, as well as a copy of the page containing his birth announcement.  I had this all framed beautifully, and it now hangs on our wall.

So, in keeping with this sentimental trend, this is what I found yesterday...

Big Ben does Cape Town

I took this picture when I was out with Tom the other day.  Look familiar?  Yes, it's the Cape Town City Hall.  It was Cape Town's first Victorian building, constructed at the end of the 19th century.  It was built in the Italian Renaissance style, and the pride of its Grand Hall is the organ with its 3165 pipes.  Most of the materials that were used in construction were imported, unlike the majority of local buildings from that era.  Its tower is 61m high and on special occasions 39 bells ring out - this is the largest carillon in South Africa.  Now, do you know what the City Hall and this building have in common...?

Sunday treats...

Sunday mornings are for croissants in our household.  There are two small local establishments that get them right in our opinion, so Paddy rushes out early while I fire up the oven and set the table.  Then for the big decision - do we enjoy them with preserves only?  Do we add cheese to the equation?  What about some smoked ham?  Or scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, sprinkled with chopped chives?  As you can see, the part I play in this is much more complex than Paddy's...

Sleepy Saturday

This past week has been incredibly energising, but as soon as I woke up this morning, I knew that I had reached the end of my energy supply for the week!  We had a young friend here last night, so we smoked a chicken on the Weber - ever done that?  It must be the best way to enjoy a chicken!  You prepare the fire and move the still too hot coals to either side of the Weber.  Then you place a aluminium foil tray in the middle (because the chicken juices drip) and close the Weber to heat up like an oven.  Give it about 10 minutes while you prepare the chicken.  I rub every inch with olive oil or grapeseed oil, flavour with salt and pepper and that's it!  Simple!  Place it in the middle of the Weber over the foil tray, breast down (so all the juices drip down and 'baste' the usually dry breast) and go pour yourself a glass of wine while preparing the rest of the meal. 

My mottoes

This week has been an encouragement for this entrepreneur!  What bigger compliment than to welcome old clients back!  I have had a week of this, and I feel quite chuffed!

This made me think of my mottoes and the people from whom I learned them.  There are a few, but I thought I'd share the three most important ones... 

Mushroom mania

How I wish I could wake up as an Italian this coming mushroom season, and just know which mushrooms are edible and which are poisonous, and able to take friends and family mushroom foraging in the forest, ending the cold, wet morning cooking mushrooms with a blaze in the fireplace and a steaming cup of coffee...  Wake up, Sophia!  I do, however, have the names of a few Italian stallions in my 'little black book' and I think I owe it to my dream to force them to teach me this season!

So, in keeping with my fantasy, I woke up at 02h00 this morning with this recipe in my head.  I served it to the group of ladies who attended an interior design course here today, and they loved it - so, I thought I'd pass it on...

Thanks to Mike and Jon for your comments on "The Heart of the Home".  This recipe will make a great starter for Mother's Day in the UK, Mike.  Try it out, and knock their socks off!!

The heart of the home

The best thing in a food-lover's day, is wonderful smells emanating from a kitchen filled with laughter.  So, my day today is perfect!  Cape Table's kitchen has been abuzz since early this morning, preparing for lunch for a group of ladies attending a mini-conference in our home. 

And, so, I remember other kitchens that have left an indelible mark on my life - firstly my darling Mother's!  What a woman she was!  What especially stands out, is Sunday evenings when half of the small town where I grew up, appeared at our door.  I always felt that this was such a complement!  I figure that if I invite you, you have to come because it's the courteous thing to do.  If you, however, have missed me and really wanted to see me, and arrived at my home, it is special!  So Sunday evenings Mom would send me on a reconnaissance mission to the large pantry.  Having lived in a small town, there was little opportunity to find fresh produce other than in your own vegetable garden, and one had to stock up on other produce, so the vast pantry was always well-stocked!