Sophia Lindop - A Unique Food Experience

Go West...

At first a wave of jealousy might sweep over you when I tell you where I am sitting, and what I can see as I stare out the window...but then it will fade like the early morning mist when I tell you that it is about 35 degrees outside, and that I have been feeling like wilted spinach!  Back to the jealous part - Paddy and I are spending the weekend on a farm just outside the quaint little village of Darling, and as I sit here, staring out the window, I can see the Atlantic Ocean in the distance, with Dassen Island drifting on the horizon, and if I turn my head to the right, I see the vineyards of Groote Post winery, fig trees heavily pregnant with almost-ripe figs, too many birds to mention, a mountain with a blue gum forest, and a winding road that zig-zags up the mountain...and I can only imagine what the views from up there must be like!  And although I agree that all this is an idyllic place to be, you must remember the temperature outside!  No wonder Paddy and I have not ventured up the mountain, or even out to the old farmhouse stoep...

We did, however, book to see 'Evita for President' in Darling today, and had a wonderful lunch at Groote Post before attending the show - Debbie and Shaun do such a great job of running Hilda's Kitchen (and Trinity Lodge in Darling), and we left there with a satisfied smile on our faces.

Kicked out of the nest

Our dear friends, Nick and Judi, have arrived from London for their annual date with our sunny skies...  They are renting our home, so Paddy and I have been "kicked out of the nest" (so to speak), and are staying in my dad's flat, right across the road from Paddy's practice.  We have one seriously happy dentist, who cruised across the street this morning with a few minutes to spare!  And, as I am typing this, I am looking across at his building, and somehow feel much closer to him!

This evening we will be going to see The Kramer Petersen Songbook at the Baxter, and, I must be honest, it feels like a holiday being away from my daily grind.

Silly season...?

Well, summer is supposed to be Cape Town's dry season, and yet we have had quite a bit of rain and cold weather, all of which is unheard of!  So much so that Paddy and I have been foraging for wild porcini mushrooms in Cecilia Forest after the rains!  Porcini season is around May, and yet we have been able to make quite a few dishes using some that we found in the forest lately.

Today Paddy was sharing this tale with one of his patients who grew up on the slopes of Table Mountain, and now lives in Germany.  Erhardt was telling Paddy about how he and his dad used to go foraging, and about the h-u-g-e porcini they used to find.  I must say, sometimes you find one that is big enough for a meal for two!  That is, if you get there before the rest of Cape Town.  Not bad, hey!

I used ours to create a pasta dish...

Miss Piggy says...

"Never eat more than you can lift!"

Anyway, Paddy and I have another one of our fun cook-offs the other evening, using a pork fillet each.  We both failed to get it just right, although Paddy was one up on me.  I found it hard to get the thicker side cooked without the thin side going too dry.

Paddy covered his in coarse salt, and baked it at 230°C for about 25 minutes, and then served it with a chilli ginger jam.  And although mine was quite dry, the idea was brilliant!  Here goes.....

Olé

In keeping with my New Year's resolution to make 2008 a year of learning, here is my latest rice creation...

There is an old story of how the Moorish kings' servants created rice dishes by mixing the leftovers from royal banquets in large pots to take home.  And so Paella was born.

Burgers!

A good burger is a thing of great beauty!  I remember those long, still summer evenings on our farm in Douglas, my little brother and I swaying to and fro on the swings in the back garden, singing ABBA songs while munching away at Mom's amazing homemade burgers...  Not much has changed!  I still sing ABBA songs, and if anything, my passion for burgers has grown - OK, I can't fit onto the swing anymore!

I played with this recipe a few days ago, and I have to say, I thought these were amazing.  So, dust off those ABBA CD's, and start swinging to "Take a chance on me..." while you prepare to surprise your friends and family with an unforgettable burger!

No looking back!

I (we) hardly touched sides...  The Festive Season came and went...  And we feel like shopped-out delivered-out Santas!  We worked all the way through, and although it was a blast, it was also tiring.  So, right now I am sitting here, half asleep, with the knowledge that I want to try out a new recipe for dinner, but without the energy to do so!