• Classic minestrone What better way to stay healthy than with a big bowl of steaming hot, hearty soup. We’ve got you covered with our take on Classic minestrone. PREP TIME 10 min | COOK TIME 25 min | SERVES 4  INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp oil 1 fennel bulb, coarsely chopped  1 large onion, coarsely chopped 2 trimmed celery stalks, coarsely chopped 1 carrot, coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra to serve 5 cups water 400 g can diced tomatoes 100 g dried pasta screws 400 g can four bean mix, drained and rinsed 175 g…

    Brinjal Bolognese bake This Brinjal Bolognese bake is the perfect weeknight meal! TOTAL TIME 1 hour 45 min| SERVES 4  INGREDIENTS BOLOGNESE SAUCE 1 tbsp Olive oil 1 Large brown onion, chopped 1 Red bell pepper, coarsely chopped 1 Green bell pepper, coarsely chopped 1 2 Garlic cloves, minced 2 250g Beef mince 1 tbsp Tomato paste ½ cup Dry red wine 400g Canned chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp Coarsely chopped fresh basil ASSEMBLE 2 Brinjals, cut into 2mm-thick slices 200g Baby spinach leaves ¾ cup Fresh ricotta 1 Egg white ½ cup Coarsely grated mozzarella ¼ cup Coarsely grated parmesan-style cheese METHOD BOLOGNESE SAUCE HEAT oil in a pot over medium heat. Cook onion,…

    Joburg-based master baker Babette Kourelos of Babette’s Bread rises to the occasion and answers all our questions about making a starter (fresh home-made yeast) By Babette Kourelos of Babette’s Bread Photographs by Annalize Nel and Babette Kourelos Q1. How do I make a sourdough starter and approximately how much starter is required for a standard-sized loaf? A1. To make a standard-size loaf of bread, you will require between 50g and 100g of ripe and refreshed starter. You can make your own sourdough starter by mixing flour and water together and leaving the mixture to ferment. This mixture (which is a…

    How to make strawberry jam in a microwave It doesn’t have to take forever to make jam: if you’re pressed for time, the quickest and most efficient way is in the microwave. INGREDIENTS 500g fresh strawberries 80ml freshly squeezed lemon juice 400g sugar METHOD WASH and chop fresh strawberries. PLACE in a large, microwaveable dish and squeeze fresh lemon juice. MICROWAVE on high until the strawberries are just soft, about 5 minutes. REMOVE and stir in 400g sugar. MICROWAVE on high again, stopping and stirring occasionally, for a further 20 minutes. REMOVE from the microwave and leave to…

    Woolworths is starting a movement with their ever-increasing Chuckles range. The recently spotted Chuckles Mousse has hit the shelves and it’s sparked a variety of fan theories. One user going so far as to ask Woolworths if biltong is next for the Chuckles takeover. What makes “Chucklete Mousse” special Twitter user @kimberleydujour shared her thoughts on the branding, but otherwise this new chocolate dessert is just in time for our summer menus. It’s 95% chocolate malt mousse and 5% milk chocolate shavings – making it 100% a must-have for all the South African chocolate lovers. From milkshakes to smash celebration…