• What is white sauce? White sauce is traditionally made by thickening milk with a white roux (a paste of flour and butter).  Also known as bechamel, white sauce is one of the five Mother Sauces of French cuisine and features in many everyday dishes. Although often flavoured with bay and nutmeg, bechamel can also be used as a base to make cheese sauce and mushroom sauce. How to make white sauce Once you get a hang of white sauce, you soon won’t need to rely on a recipe to make it. You’re simply going to start by melting butter…

    Joburg: The Gourmet Grocer offers new old-style décor and expanded products The popular Gourmet Grocer in Birdhaven is sporting a décor revamp that has also expanded the neighbourhood store’s space and offerings, as well as its involvement in community-driven initiatives for local causes. Larry Hodes, owner and restaurateur, says the grocer’s range is constantly growing and adapting, with a ‘something for everyone’ selection of healthy options and decadent treats – and everything in between. The store’s revamped ‘look and feel’ features a lot of wood and authentic, old-style grocer décor that creates a homey ambience, which customers describe as peaceful,…

    Coffee: it’s the kind of thing that you either deeply love, or despise. If coffee is one of the most important meals of your day, then these decadent desserts are right up your alley. All infused with the roasted intensity of coffee, these 8 puds are exactly what you need to satisfy your craving! 1. Affogato cakes These moist coffee and hazelnut cakes are drenched in sweet coffee syrup and topped with a generous scoop of ice cream…these elegant coffee puddings are affogato reinvented! 2. Vetkoek twists with chocolate-coffee dipping sauce Served with a decadent coffee-infused ganache sauce,…

    The younger generation is leading a shift to focus on health and reduced alcohol intake by choosing low alcohol or non-alcoholic drink options. The choice of whether to consume alcoholic drinks or not is, sadly, greatly stigmatising in South Africa. There’s a generation of people who are asked ‘why not?’ when they decline a drink, with the connotation that they’re not ‘joining in’ or there’s ‘something wrong’ with them. It’s painted as very ‘un-South African’ to not enjoy a drink, eat braaied meat, watch sport or make jokes about Eskom. In the past year, there’s been a positive shift being…

    The Hot Toddy: a classic tipple, perfect for a cold winter’s eve A hot toddy is the perfect winter drink. It’s got citrus, it’s got honey, but most importantly – it’s got whisky. It’s basically that honey/lemon concoction your mom used to make when you were sick, if it decided to let its hair down and have a little fun. Scarves and jackets are out in full force, heaters are working overtime, ginger shots and flu juices are on display in every grocery store, and even the sun is heading to bed as early as possible. Yes, winter is in…

    This classic chocolate mousse is rich, decadent and delightfully easy to make. Garnish with torched meringue, fresh berries and chocolate shavings for a elegant dessert guaranteed to wow…