Friday, January 22, 2016

This week's MENU - Durbanville & Constantia wine touring, Kalky's fish, Granadilla sorbet

A hot landscape in the Nuy Valley
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The news this week has been dominated for us by the dreadful mountain fires in, first, the Elgin and Bot Rivier areas, then on the Simonsberg and now, once more, in Noordhoek and Glencairn. It is believed in authoritative quarters that arsonists are responsible. We are very worried indeed about our many friends in the wine industry. Harvest has begun in some areas and this is not what they need at the busiest time of their year. The damage  is catastrophic to some of the affected farms. Our thoughts and hopes for a quick end to this tragedy are with them. The hills of the south peninsula suffered similar fires last summer and they have been documented in a wonderful book, The Cape Aflame, which you can see advertised on our blog site. Please buy it. Profits go to the dedicated people who fight the fires.
The heat has continued all week but we hear it may dissipate soon. It is exhausting, especially at night when the mosquitoes vie for landing space as we throw off all clothes and bedding. We are doing our best for the economy this year and already have lots of friends visiting from other parts of the world, which means trips to the countryside, wineries, restaurants and the coast to cool off.
Durbanville Delights in the heat     We started, on Tuesday, with a wine tour to four Durbanville farms with our friends from Greece and Johannesburg. We began at De Grendel, always rewarding with its great wines and that superb view of the City, Table Bay and Table Mountain. Then to Durbanville Hills for some Sauvignon Blancs and onward to lunch at Meerendal which, sadly, was a bit disappointing. We ended with a great tasting at Nitida, before heading home for an late afternoon nap and/or dip in a pool as the heat had sapped us all. Read on.....
Constantia for the heights     Time for another wine tour, this time to Constantia. High Constantia has great wines and also great bird watching facilities on its deck and in the garden. Our friend Terry is a Twitcher, so it was the obvious place to start. Then we were off to Steenberg for a long lunch at Bistro 1682 and an extensive tasting in their tasting room. Read on.....
Fish and ships for Sunday lunch     If you haven't yet been to Kalkies on the harbour-side in Kalk Bay, you must visit. It's simple, humble, the tables can be a bit sticky, but Oh, that fresh fish. It has very cheeky, funny staff and it is where most of real SA goes for a seafood treat. We try to take all our visitors there for a visit and they all love it. We finished off the afternoon sipping wine in the lovely gardens of Eagles Nest in Constantia. Read on.....
This week's recipe is something Lynne had at La Boheme restaurant this week, such a suitable end to a meal in hot weather. It was rich and cream but light and full of those seductive tropical flavours with a nice zing on the end. Granadillas are in season but, if you can't find them, you can buy tins of granadilla pulp; just strain out most of the pips please
This is much easier if you have an ice cream maker, but you can make it in the freezer. There will be a lot of seeds in the 2 cups of granadilla pulp. A tip is to put the pulp into a food processor and pulse for just 10 seconds to separate the pips from the juice. Strain to remove the pips and then add back just a teaspoon of pips, so that it is identifiably a granadilla sorbet, or leave them out altogether according to your taste.
250 ml orange juice - 1 cup sugar - 2 cups granadilla pulp - a good squeeze of lime or lemon juice - whites of 2 large eggs, stiffly beaten
Put the orange juice and the sugar in a small pot and heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Do not boil. Cool this syrup.
With an ice cream machine Add the granadilla pulp to the syrup and the squeeze of lime juice and put into your ice cream machine and churn until you have a good thick smooth sorbet texture. Add the stiffly beaten egg whites and churn for another 20 seconds until they are incorporated. Remove from the machine and freeze until you want to serve this. It will make about a litre and serve 6 to 8 people.
Without a machine, mix the syrup with the granadilla and lime and freeze in a wide shallow lidded container for an hour. Remove from the freezer and beat well with a hand beater and then incorporate the beaten egg whites. Freeze again for about an hour or until you see a ring of crystals forming around the edge. Beat again. Freeze and beat again every hour until you get a smooth thick sorbet.
Here is a list of coming events up to and including Valentine’s Day
Saturday, 23rd January   Riesling & Rarities Rock at Hartenberg Estate. Celebrate the start of 2016 in relaxed sophistication at the annual Riesling & Rarities Rock Festival, Saturday, 23 January 2016. Hartenberg Wine Estate, world-renowned for their superb range of Rieslings, hosts this intimate event, which gives visitors the opportunity to taste the finest Rieslings and other niche varietals South Africa has to offer. Celebrated Hartenberg winemaker, Carl Schultz, regarded as one of the country’s finest Riesling masters, has invited the crème de la crème of cellars to showcase their premium Weisser/Rhine Rieslings at this social calendar highlight. Not only do visitors get a chance to taste this underrated varietal, but they will also be treated to a line up of other rare varietals too. These include Semillon, Viognier and Gewürztraminer, amongst others. The festival is the perfect platform to showcase these rare varieties produced from South Africa’s diverse wine regions. A niche yet premium varietal, Riesling is probably one of the most versatile of all wines, and works perfectly with just about any type of food. Ranging from sushi to oysters and antipasti, Riesling creates the perfect balance between food and wine. A culinary match made in heaven! And that is exactly what the day is about. Superb wines, delicious deli fare and live entertainment. The perfect day out in the Winelands for young and old. Hartenberg’s indulgent picnic baskets, which can be pre-booked at R175 per person, create for the ultimate relaxed food and wine experience. Without a doubt the finest summer event perfectly suited to the long summer days in January, festival goers will be able to sample these fine wines between 12pm and 5pm on the day. Tickets cost R150 per person, which can be pre-booked via www.webtickets.co.za. Your ticket includes all tastings as well as a complementary tasting glass.
Sunday, 31st January      CONCERT IN A CONVENT GARDEN, Springfield Convent, Wynberg. Regulars may notice the subtle name change from “Opera” to ”Concert” in a Convent Garden. This updated programme will now include a more balanced selection of both classical and lighter music to appeal to a wider audience, while not disappointing our many loyal friends.  This will be the 12th performance and the event has now been firmly established on the Cape Town Music Calendar as a “must go to” for all music lovers. Bring your picnic and enjoy the evening on the lawns in the magnificent surrounds of the Springfield Convent Garden, to relax and be enchanted by the beautiful music and voices accompanied by the Stellenbosch Camerata, directed by the well-known Albert Combrink. True Magic and a wonderful way to start off the New Year! Food and drinks will be available from the “The Concert Café”.  Adults R150, Scholars R30, Children under 10 Free 

Bookings (Office hours): 021 797 9637 ext. 210 or 082 781 1708 Email: concertinaconventgarden@gmaiI.com
Friday, 5th to Sunday, 7th February   STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL – A FEAST FOR THE SENSES. Celebrate the harvest season in style at the 2016 Stellenbosch Wine Festival, presented by Pick n Pay. Taking place at the Coetzenburg Sports Grounds in Stellenbosch, visitors can look forward to sampling even more delicious wines than before, with an incredible 77 wine farms and 10 boutique wineries participating in the festival. If you’re keen on sampling some of the “rarer gems” from smaller producers, then make sure you visit the festival on Sunday 7 February, when boutique wineries are scheduled to make a special appearance. This year the line-up includes: Audacia Wines, Bartinney Private Cellar, Deux Frères Wines, Keermont Vineyards, Kings Kloof Vineyards, Mostertsdrift Noble Wines, Post House Vineyards, Rudera  Wines, The High Road and Usana Wines. The Gourmet Lane will once again offer signature treats from wineries and restaurants responsible for the region’s culinary reputation, including Beyerskloof, Eaglevlei Wines, Vagabond Kitchen, Big Steve Charcuterie, Wild Peacock Food Emporium and Bistro 13. And no South African festival would be complete without biltong – fresh and delicious, it will be available from Pick n Pay’s biltong stand. Celebrity chef Tiaan Langenegger will team up with winemakers to explore the magic of food-and-wine pairing during daily sessions in The Tasting Room. Langenegger will pair delicious canapés with wines from Blaauwklippen, Ernie Els Wines, Kaapzicht, Kleine Zalze, L'Avenir, Mooiplaas, Spier, Villiera, Waterford Estate and Waterkloof. Sessions last half an hour and are limited to 40 guests. Booking is essential and tickets can be bought on the day at the festival for R25. Those in possession of a Smart Shopper card can enter free of charge. Daily festival tickets cost R180 for adults and include a tasting glass. Tickets are now available online from www.webtickets.co.za.  Children under 18 enter free. Festival opening times:  Friday from 15h00-21h00, Saturday from 10h00-18h00 and Sunday from 10h00-18h00. Tastings finish an hour before closing time. Visit the festival website www.stellenboschwinefestival.co.za for a full event schedule. Follow the Stellenbosch Wine Festival on Twitter @StellWineFest, Instagram @Stellenboschwinefest or sign up for regular updates on Facebook at StellenboschWineFestival.  
Saturday, 6th February   Franschhoek Summer Wines at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards. Come and taste the Franschhoek Vigneron’s choice for summer. White, rosé or Méthode Cap Classique – all will be revealed on the day! Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za at R150 per person.  This includes a wine glass and a tasting of all the wines on show between 12pm and 5pm.
Saturday, 13th February  Nederburg welcomes The Galileo Open Air Cinema. Begin the afternoon with a relaxed stroll through Nederburg’s manor house and the winery’s lush gardens. Then share an evening underneath the stars with a loved one, or a friend, to a screening of Shakespeare in Love. Pre-order a picnic basket for R500 per couple from The Red Table. It includes delicious fresh salads, cured meats, artisanal cheeses, crackers and bread, grilled tiger prawns, asparagus spears wrapped with Parma ham, tartlets, and finally, decadent chocolate brownies with strawberries, a bottle of Nederburg Première Cuvée Brut as well as still mineral water. Pre-ordered picnic baskets must be pre-paid in full. On the night there will also be stalls offering food, mineral water, soft drinks as well as coffee and tea. Booking is essential. To book tickets for the screening of Shakespeare in Love, starting just after dark on Saturday, 13th February, please contact The Galileo on 071 471 8728 or hello@thegalileo.co.za. Go to www.thegalileo.co.za for more information, or to view ticket options and pricing. Visit www.nederburg.co.za for more on the brand.
Saturday, 13th February at 18h30 for 19h00   Plaisir de Merle Winemaker’s Table. A culinary feast prepared by well-known chef and restaurateur, Dawid Kriel, paired with wines selected by Cellar Master, Niel Bester, will be served in the cellar. Tickets are available at R595 per person, five course dinner and wine included. Limited spaces are available so call 021 874 1071 or email info@plaisirdemerle.co.za to be part of this exclusive event.
Saturday 13th February from 10am until 6pm          ROSÉ FESTIVAL AT RICKETY BRIDGE ESTATE. FLOW OF THE DAY: 8.30 until 10am: The day will start at 8.30am with The Rosé Run (5km, 10km or 20km) and The Rosé MTB Ride (20km, 40km or 60km). Entry to these events will include a Festival ticket. Showers will be provided as well as a Rosé Breakfast of Salmon and Egg Bagels. 10am until 4pm: Wine tasting, Rosé-friendly food stalls, pre-booked picnics, Paulina’s Restaurant will be open 4pm until 6pm: Wine tasting closes, wine sales continue, cocktail bar and Paulina’s Restaurant stay open. Guests will be able to enjoy tapas and live music and watch the sunset. Entry costs R120 per ticket for a glass and tastings.                                         From www.webtickets.co.za and at the door. Food will be available from Rosé-friendly food stalls. R150 per person for a pre-booked picnic. Paulina’s Restaurant will be open all day. Wine sales: By the glass and by the bottle. Music:                   There will be live music throughout the day. For more information please visit www.ricketybridge.com and www.dnaevents.co.za. To enter please visit www.webtickets.co.za or get your tickets on arrival
Saturday, 13th February  Celebrate the Weekend of Love in style at the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa with an intimate and romantic dinner for two at R420 per person. Included in your special evening is a complimentary welcome drink. Gorgeous views, gourmet food and superb estate wines. The perfect gift for that someone special. Adding extra romance to your evening the Lady Anne Courtyard, reminiscent of a Spanish sidewalk, will be transformed into a Tango Fiesta for the evening, as the sensual Dance of Love captivates you. This passionate walking-embrace symbolizes a close and sensuous connection between partners, and promises to be the highlight of what can only be described as the ultimate romantic evening. Let us treat you to an enchanting evening of delicious Spanish inspired food paired with superb wine, amidst an elegant and relaxing setting. For bookings contact Denise Bezuidenhoudt on banqueting@lanzerac.co.za
Sunday, 14th February    Valentine’s Day inspired picnic and movie night or brunch at the Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate. Whether it’s a candlelight dinner or a sunset picnic, Valentine’s Day is known for these two things. It’s about spending time with that someone special whilst enjoying a glass of chilled MCC. With the dominant colour being red, the L‘Ormarins Brut Rosé 2013 is perfect with its delicate salmon colour. Completing the picture would be spoiling your loved one to a Valentine’s Day inspired picnic and movie night or brunch at the Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate. What better way to enjoy this superb MCC from one of SA’s leading producers. For details contact 021 874 9041 or tasting@rupertwines.com.
Sunday, 14th February    The Backsberg Centenary Picnic Concert Series kicks-off on with a performance by The Plastics. Come and enjoy your Sunday afternoon by relaxing on the lawns with a glass of wine whilst listening to some great SA music. Tickets are R120 from www.webtickets.co.za and R150 at the gate. Students pay R60 and there is no charge for children under the age of 12. Delicious food and snack boxes will be available on the day. Snack boxes can be pre-ordered at restaurant@backsberg.co.za at a cost of R160 for two persons. Gates to Backsberg Estate Cellars open at 15h00.
Sunday, 14th February    Celebrate the day of love at Boschendal with live music by romantic duo Palm Strings, who will entertain picnic visitors at the serviced Rhone Classic Picnic area from 12h00 - 15h00. Executive Chef, Christiaan Campbell and his team will add a romantic twist to the picnic baskets, while the full range of Boschendal MCC bubbly will be available to add that extra bit of “l’amour” to your day. Cost: R520 per basket to share. Includes 10% service fee, but excludes beverages. Enjoy a Valentine’s celebration with a difference by joining Food Garden Manager, Megan McCarthy for a Valentine’s themed Food Garden Tour from 10h00-11h30 and stock up on our bio-friendly veggies and herbs for a romantic dining occasion. Cost: R150 per person (Includes water, tour, veggie gift pack and glass of Boschendal MCC). Alternatively you can book a leisurely afternoon at our Werf picnics, The Werf Restaurant for an innovative farm-to-table menu, The Deli and Farm stall for a casual meal or Rhone Homestead for a lavish Cape Buffet. Bookings for the Picnic and Food Garden Tour are essential at reservations@boschendal.co.za or +27 21 870 4274. The restaurants’ bookings can be made on-line at www.boschendal.co.za.
Sunday, 14th February    Valentine's Day Lunch at Dornier Bodega Restaurant. Head Chef Lee-Anne du Plessis has created a beautiful four course menu for Valentine's Day lunch this February. Three of the dishes featured on the Valentine's Day menu include an array of Oysters served with Lime Salsa, Bloody Mary and Pesto Parmesan, Watermelon Beetroot and Goat’s Cheese salad, and Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna served on a bed of Marinated Angel Hair and Julienne Vegetables. Seating is limited, please ensure to make your booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Bookings can be made by contacting Bodega Restaurant at 021 880 0557 or bodega@dornier.co.za
Sunday, 14th February    Valentine’s Day at Lanzerac. The Governor’s Hall Restaurant will be clad with a touch of extra romantic finery on the day. Well-known for its Sunday lunches, the restaurant will be serving a Valentine’s inspired menu in celebration of the occasion. Pre-bookings are essential as seating is limited. For bookings contact Denise Bezuidenhoudt on banqueting@lanzerac.co.za.
Sunday, 14th February    The Red Table at Nederburg offers the ideal Valentine’s four-course menu, priced at R650 per couple and offered for lunch and dinner. Start with delicious salmon ceviche, watercress, radish and red onion salsa, followed by bacon-rolled chicken, goat’s cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, wilted spinach and toasted pine nuts.  Then enjoy the main dish of grilled beef fillet, baked parmesan baby potatoes, fine beans, young carrots and bone marrow jus. Seal the deal with caramel, dark and white chocolate tart, pistachio Turkish delight and fruit compote. A deposit of R150 per person is required to confirm your booking for lunch or dinner at The Red Table on 14 February. To book, please call 021 877 5155 or send an email to theredtable@nederburg.co.za





21st January 2016
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