• While lemon thyme may look like a regular thyme plant, when the leaves are crushed it releases a beautiful and subtle lemony fragrance. often grown for its use…

    Are you heading to the other-worldly stark desert landscape of the /Ai/Ais- Richtersveld National Park? The vast park has many experiences on offer. Here are a few stops not to be missed. A 4×4 or high-clearance vehicle is essential for travel within the park. Search for Halfmense at Halfmens Pass Take a slow drive through Halfmens Pass  to spot the peculiar-looking halfmens succulents, which are endemic to the area. Folklore has it that these are the frozen forms of the enemies of the Nama people, trapped for eternity in the desert landscape. Check in at the nursery Sendelingsdrift’s blossoming nursery…

    Coconut-vanilla caramel Makes: 1 jar Time: 30 mins Heat 100ml golden syrup, 75g coconut oil and 150g demerara sugar in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of salt, seeds from 1 vanilla pod and 125ml (½ cup) double-thick cream. Return to medium heat and simmer until the sauce is golden and thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour into a sterilised glass jar (the sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 3 months). Serve over vanilla ice cream (or eat straight from the jar!). Coconut-butter coffee Makes: 1 cup Time:…

    Not sure what to do with that extra Christmas pudding stashed away in your cupboard? Try any of these delicious pantry hacks! Boozy Christmas pudding truffles TIME: 20 mins + 4 hrs, to chill | MAKES: 34 truffles INGREDIENTS  30ml (2 tbsp) brandy 80ml (1/3 cup) double-thick cream a pinch salt 80g castor sugar 5ml (1 tsp) vanilla essence 15g butter 230 g very finely chopped dark chocolate 100 g crumbled store-bought Christmas pudding 50 g roasted and chopped hazelnuts METHOD COMBINE brandy with double-thick cream, a pinch salt, castor sugar, vanilla essence and butter. BRING to a boil,…

    Orange, rosemary and caramel-glazed duck breasts Serves: 4 Time: 40 mins Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Place 4 duck breasts, skin-side down in a cold non-stick frying pan over medium heat (without any oil), 6 – 8 minutes or until golden brown. Pour off the fat regularly and brown the other side, 30 seconds. Simply wipe the pan clean and set aside (you’ll use it again in a moment). Place the duck breasts, skin-side facing up, in a roasting tin in the preheated oven until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. While the duck roasts, heat a little olive oil…