Read Everyday – Karin Slaughter

I love to read!!! I am the quintessential internet meme on reading. There is no better feeling than to get absolutely absorbed into a story, live in a far away place, be friends with the characters…to be fully lost in a book. Better yet, a set of books!!

I am also not fussy about the types of books I read, I’m pretty keen on most genre’s and I find I go through phases so I get through quite a variety. In the last month I’ve read a murder/crime thriller, the maze runner series including the prequel, a drama about a family with secrets and I have just started the Roald Dahl book set for a trip into childhood with The BFG.

This blog post though is to highlight a particular author. I think crime thriller’s are generally an easy read and are definately very popular. If I walk into my local bookstore the range is almost overwhelming. So it can be difficult to find a stand out book. I at some point, a few years ago stumbled across Karin Slaughter, I bought one of her older books and came home, I started and finished that book the same day. I naturally went back the next day to get any of her other books and ended up placing an order for all the books they didn’t have. Over the past few years I have read and re-read almost all of her books, both from The Grant County series and the Will Trent series and the books that didn’t fall into a series.

Her writing style and her ability to tell a story through the characters is something special. The language and stories themselves draw you in and keep you with every page and every chapter. The quality of her writing is consistent with every book. Honestly at no point have I struggled to finish a Karin Slaughter book.

My best Karin Slaughter book was part of the Will Trent series. Criminal, this book was so well written, it really brought together the characters with a detailed history, whilst simultaneously entertained with a somewhat disturbing murderer that comes a bit to close to home. I’m not going to review the book right now but I do suggest that if you haven’t read a Karin Slaughter book, you do so as soon as possible!!

What brought this blog post on, is that Karin Slaughter recently announced that her new book “pretty girls” will be released (in the UK…) mid July, which means I just need to hold out until mid August for it to be released here in Johannesburg. I almost cannot contain myself. I just would like to make it known that for roughly 24 hours in approximately mid-August I will be hidden somewhere with a new Karin Slaughter book!!

Lemon Blueberry Cake

January and February is a month of birthdays, anniversaries and other general celebrations. This mean’s one thing, festive cake is pretty much in order every week for atleast the first two months of the year. It’s definately one way to start every year!

For my Husbands birthday this year I made him a scrumptious lemon and blueberry cake with lemon cream cheesed frosting. Blueberries are really only becoming popular in South Africa recently and they are really expensive. It is really hard to resist using all the colorful berries when they’re in season but the price is a huge turn off. A birthday however is a perfect excuse to go all out on fresh berries.

This cake is really moist and tasty, the lemon flavour isn’t overwhelming but gives the cake a great citrus flavour and the general rule is the more berries the better!

The flavour combination of lemon and blueberry is timeless and can we all agree that cream cheese frosting is the future of everything.

All I can say is that this cake is definately worth the time, it’s light and refreshing. On a totally seperate side note, holding off on eating dessert and cakes in order to take pics for the blog is way harder than you’d think.

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Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

For the Cake:
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups buttermilk
4 large egg whites
1 ½ cups sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon pure lemon juice

2 cups fresh blueberries

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
250g cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3 cups icing sugar

For Filling between layers:
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Method:

1. Pre heat the oven to 180C and make sure th erack is centred. Butter two 9 x 2 inch/ 23 x 5cm round cake pans and make sure to line the bottom of each pan with a round of greased baking or wax paper.
2. For the Cake:

Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Whisk together the buttermilk and egg whites in a seperate bowl.

Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub the lemon zest into the sugar until it releases a citrus scent and the sugar is moist.  Add butter to the sugar and lemon mix and then using a hand mixer or paddle attachment, beat until the butter and sugar are very light. Beat in the lemon juice.

Combine all ingredients: add one third of the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture whilst still beating on medium speed. Then add half of the milk-egg mixture, Continue this process untill all the remaining ingredients have been incorporated. The batter should be smooth and creamy. Give the batter a final mix to ensure that it is mixed well. Add the two cups of blueberries and gently fold into the mixed batter with a spatula. Divide the batter between the greased pans and tap the pans on a surface so the batter levels out.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cakes have risen and a knife comes out clean.

Place the cakes on cooling racks and cool for about 10 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, and remove cakes from tins, peel off baking or parchment paper. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting

3. Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, butter and lemon zest. Beat on medium until creamy, light and fluffy. Gradually add 3 cups sifted icing sugar. Mix until frosting is light and creamy.

4. Assembling the cake:

Using a large serrated knife cut the slight domes off the top of each cake round. A great alternate option at this point would be to split each cake round in half and make a 4 layer cake, I however went with two substantial cake layers. Seperate, 3/4 cup of cream cheese frosting into a small bowl. Warm raspberry jam for 30 sec in a microwave until warm but not hot. Mix the warm jam into the 3/4 cup of cream cheese. Use this mixture as the filling between layers of the cake. Place bottom layer of cake onto a plate and then scoop the filling mix onto the top of the cake spread until even. Place second cake round on top. Ensure cake is level on top. Then spread or frost the cake using the cream cheese frosting. Decorate cake with leftover blueberries (that you haven’t eaten whilst baking…)

A Taste of Turkey

The Turkish Kebab House is a small out of the way, not fancy place that serves up a wonderful array of turkish foods, mainly in the form of grilled meats.

Store Front – Turkish Kebab House

It’s one of those places that isn’t well known and is not in a popular location but the food, quality and experience is well worth the effort of a visit. Another bonus is the prices are really decent for what you get. They have a take away order menu and a sit down restaurant. They also offer a fully fledged turkish butchery and mini grocer with various items such as cheese’s, labneh and spiced kebabs.

Turkish Kebab House Menu

The food itself is actually really healthy which is one of the reasons I feel I will be investing time at this place.

The grilled meats are well spiced and flavourful and you’re served with freshly baked turkish roti/breads and a colorful variety of salads and vegetables. For me personally my favourite would be the yoghurt and cucumber side dressing and the tomato salsa that also comes with every meal. The grills come in the form of chicken, beef kebab, donner kebab and even lamb chops. Needless to say that serving sizes are more than adequate for a hearty meal.

Mixed Grill and Salad

Beyti Kebab Turkish Kebab House

On my last visit we tried a pide which is basically a cheesy pizza, turkish style. They come with a variety of toppings including chicken, mince, cheese and spinach to name a few and I have to say it was absolutely delicious! They use a thicker, creamier cheese (which they sell in the adjoining grocer/butcher) which makes it a perfect combination of rich and tasty.

Pide

The Turkish Kebab house is for me a wonderful little hidden gem, it’s not in the best neighbourhood and they don’t serve alcohol but it is totally worth the trip!! Its a great new experience and highly recommended!

The Turkish Kebab House:

Address: 79 Church street, Mayfair

Tel: (011) 025 1123

Love Norwood

Love Norwood

In recent years Johannesburg has seen a movement towards community revival. As a result there has been an increase in markets, local music and an overall coming together. It’s always a great day for family and friends to visit a new market get some amazing food and be entertained for the day.

This past weekend my local suburb celebrated itself and hosted Love Norwood day in the local park. It was a fantastic way to spend the day! The organisers which were the local residents association managed to organise a fantastic event with a pop up market, great live music, entertainment for the kids and an overall festive celebration of the wonderful and creative offerings our small “hood” has to offer.

Pop Up Market

Artisan Food

I was one of the creative participants with my baby and kids range of clothing and products – Mokopu. The event was held at a local park that borders the main road through the suburb, the events extended from the park all the way down Grant Ave. where all the local businesses got involved.

Pop Up market

It turned out to be a roaring success and a wonderful way to spend the day. In addition to the array of restaurants and shops down Grant Ave. there was a pop up market with a variety of craft and food stalls. Health and fitness such as bootcamp and “self-defense” training had demonstrations. There were short guitar sessions and kids paint sessions. I personally was somewhat saddened that I didn’t get the opportunity to tour the permaculture garden that was offering tour’s throughout the day. I didn’t even know it was in the area. I did however get to enjoy the music, the event had organised a range of local performers and band’s that did an amazing job of entertaining the crowd. Undoubtedly the best part of the day was seeing people come through grab a spot on the lawns and spend the afternoon listening to great performances.

Kids having Fun at the Mokopu stall

Other aspects of the event included an instagram competition that ran through the weeks running up to the event and photo tours on the day. All those instagram images can be seen using the #lovenorwood. Other great pictures from the day can be found on the Republic of Norwood Facebook page.

Lounging to Live Music

Overall, I love our little neighbourhood from the tree lined streets with people jogging or walking their dogs to the coffee shops and central stores on Grant Ave. (where I always bump into someone I know). I knew we had something special but Love Norwood day brought that little something out for everyone.

This is what love is!!

Valentines Day is almost upon us!!

I wanted to post this recipe mainly because I think it is the perfect treat for some Valentines Day celebrations or any celebrations, ok not even a celebration, at any time at all really.

I’m having some difficulty naming this delicious tasty dessert since there are so many wonderful aspects and flavours. Rich white chocolate, vanilla bean , chocolate butter pastry, fresh berries, creamy marscapone cheese and delightful cream cheese.

Then there’s the shape, I managed to make two one dainty and beautiful in a fluted tart pan and another rustic and wholesome in pie form both were delicious although the pie had more of the delicious filling. Finally, would the addition of cream cheese lean towards a part cheesecake making it a cheesecake pie/tart….

Names such as

• Black & White berry cheesecake pie
• Chocolate Vanilla tart
• Double Chocolate Berry pie….

URGH!!! I don’t know what to call it other than delicious and amazing!! Any suggestions???

So the story behind the tart/pie debate came about since I made both with one recipe. I made the tart for a dinner with friends and for the beautiful blog pictures and I made the other with the remaining batter and crust in pie form for family consumption. The tart was delicious and beautiful and I managed to halt us devouring it so I could take some beautiful pictures for the blog post but alas the pictures just weren’t as great as I wanted. It was so delicious I knew I had to try get better pictures with the pie version. Hence the identification debate.

The inspiration for this dessert came about from Chocolate Marscapone Tarts over on La receta de la Felicidad and I used the pastry recipe which worked out perfectly. I completely redesigned the filling and i can vouch for how well it turned out.

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Recipe: Double Chocolate Vanilla pie wonder (Another name…)

Serves : 24cm Tart / 20cm Pie

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 200 g flour (1 3/4 cup)
• 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder (1/3 cup)
• 1 pinch powdered cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 80 g sugar (1/2 cup)
• 150 g butter, very cold, and cut into squares (2/3 cup)
• 60 ml Full cream milk

Filling:

• 100 g good quality white chocolate
• 250 ml fresh cream
• 100 g butter
• 1 tub mascarpone cheese at room temperature
• 1 Vanilla pod
• 200 g Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• 1/2 cup icing sugar (confectioners sugar, sifted)

Topping:

• Strawberries or any berries of your choice
• Chocolate sauce drizzle

Method:

1. To prepare crust: Combine Flour, sugar, cayenne pepper and salt in a large bowl. Using a grater, grate butter into bowl and using your hands work the butter into the flour mix until mixture is crumbly. Slowly add milk to the mix until it combines and comes together. Cover dough and place in a freezer for 15 min whilst heating the oven to 180C /350F.
2. Remove crust from freezer and roll into circular form that will comfortably fit into a tart pan or pie dish. Place crust onto tart pan/pie pan cutting away excess dough at the top. Blind bake pastry for 25 – 30 min at 180 C (350 F). Allow pastry to cool completely.
3. To prepare Filling: Place a medium saucepan on a low heat setting with the fresh cream. Once cream comes to a light boil, remove from heat and add chopped white chocolate and butter. Stir until all ingredients melt. Add vanilla seeds from 1 vanilla pod and stir all to combine.
4. In a seperate bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer blend cream cheese and icing sugar together, until a smooth mix forms. Add marscapone cheese and blend again until smooth. Slowly add cream, butter and chocolate mixture into the cheese mix until a thin, smooth mix results.
5. Once pastry is cooled add filling into pastry and refridgerate until set or overnight.
6. Remove from pan and decorate with berries and chocolate sauce to your hearts content.

Don’t forget to let me know what you think.

Maboneng – Sevensounds

Common Ground – The Maboneng Precinct

This past weekend saw the opening and first Seven Sounds event at the Common Ground park in The Maboneng Precinct. Firstly, let me mention that The Maboneng Precinct is a the leader in the revival of Johannesburg’s inner city. The Maboneng Precinct and its many attractions definitely deserve a post of it’s own and I guarantee it will come soon.

Playground

Slide

Industrial inspired swings

Chess Anyone?

The first Seven Sounds live music event was held at  Common Ground in Maboneng, Which as the name suggest’s is a musical line up made up of seven distinct and unique artists, the event started at 11 am with Matthew Mole as the start up entertainment, followed every hour by the rest of the line up including The Muffinz, Guy Buttery and Runaway Train Cult to name a few.

Overhead view of the Park.

Surrounding Street Art

Synonymous with Maboneng, the event was centred around community interaction and being held at the Common Ground park fed directly into that ethos. The park is architecturally designed and utilised by the Spark Maboneng School and the Maboneng Precinct community. This lends itself for industrial recreation as is evident in the adaptations of childrens play area and facilities.

Bar

Stage is set

The “stage” was set in a mini amphitheatre within the park. Food stalls and a bar catered the event and made for a easy, delicious offering. The day started off with wonderful sunny skies and slightly maybe too hot weather, however it was temporarily interrupted by a freak storm, which put off the festivities for a while. However once the bad weather passed over the music and chilled Saturday vibes returned.

Overall, it was a great way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon. The music was really great, the full line up looked something like this:

• Sound Zero – Gates open – 10h00
• Sound One – Matthew Mole – 11h00
• Sound Two – Shotgun Tori – 12h00
• Sound Three – The Muffinz – 13h00
• Sound Four – Guy Buttery – 14h00
• Sound Five – Tidal Waves – 15h00
• Sound Six – Nakhane Touré – 16h00
• Sound Seven – Runaway Train Cult – 17h00

Tickets are limited and details for future events can be found both on the Seven Sounds Website and through a link on the Maboneng Precinct website. I personally love any reason that gets me into the Maboneng Precinct, it’s always a pleasure to spend time in the city the entertainment is a welcome bonus.

Common Ground Surrounding street art

 

Sunset @ Katy’s Palace

Katy’s Palace Bar – Classy ride

It has been ridiculously hot in Johannesburg the last few days which is uncomfortable during the day but makes for wonderfully warm evenings, perfect for spending time at an eclectic quirky rooftop bar like Katy’s Palace Bar.

Exotic Entrance to Katy’s Palace Bar

I had heard about Katy’s Palace but hadn’t really been mainly since it isn’t open to trade everyday. In fact it’s main function is as an event venue, however they do a Sunday lunch buffet that has received rave reviews. I eventually made it to Katy’s Palace for an event (a work event…not my work event…I didn’t crash I was a plus 1) and I have to say from the moment we arrived I was blown away by the space and the decor to the extent that I didn’t really notice that it wasn’t really my event.

Katy’s Palace is situated in Kramerville Johannesburg, which has in the last few years really become a spot for trendy lifestyle spots and furnishings. Katy’s palace is located in a large warehouse space above a charming an exotic furniture and artefacts store which only adds to the charm. From the moment you approach the building and as you make your way up to the venue you are enticed with a variety of quirky and interesting art and objet d’art.

Quirky Art and Deco at the entrance

Interesting Art

Once you enter the space you find yourself in a voluminous palatial open area, decorated in a rustic and eclectic array of furnishings and artifacts.

 

When we entered the sun was just on the horizon and streamed through the space highlighting and illuminating all the deco. The bar is a well placed an attraction on it’s own and the space flows out onto a veranda with the most spectacular view of the Sandton skyline.

Sandton Skyline view at Sunset

The veranda was the perfect spot for the warm summer night and as drinks came and the band started playing, it really made for a beautiful evening. Since it was an event appetisers were served and ranged from sushi to haloumi, before single servings of chicken curry and rice and pasta came around. The food was delicious and the staff were friendly.

Katy’s Palace Indoor Venue with Upper terrace

Indoor Decor – Fireplace

Overall, Katy’s Palace Bar is definately a distinct venue and one that shouldn’t be missed. I think a Sunday lunch will be on my agenda soon.

Lovely Little Blog Award

Lovely Little Blog Award

I got nominated for one lovely blog award by Justina Luther – Welcome to my Imagination when I just started my blog; all fresh about a month ago. Considering I just started the blog, the nomination was happily supportive and I really appreciate it. Since the nomination came I have been trying to make sure my blog is a little lovely…(I only hope I’m succeeding…) and scouring other blogs to nominate, then magically before I knew it a month went by. Never the less here is my One Lovely Blog post:)

The rules for this award are:

1.  Thank the person who nominated you for the award

2.  Display the banner/sticker/logo on your blog

3.  Share 7 facts or things about yourself

4.  Nominate 5 bloggers that you admire and inform nominees by commenting on their blog

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A huge THANK YOU!! to Justine Luther for the nomination, getting it as I started was a wonderful motivation and welcome to the blogging world! I thank you so very much!!

7 Fun Facts about me…hmmm….

1. I’m a Qualified Civil Engineer
2. I’m quite short…1.56 m or 5′ 1″
3. I have a not-so-secret love and fascination with both the TV series Nashville and Law & Order: SVU ( I think I’m a country music fan or it may be Tammy Taylor…and seriously Detective Benson, heart Mariska Hargitay!!)
4. I am a bit of a tree hugger…by that I try my best to be conscious of the environment and act accordingly.
5. If I could go anywhere in the world right now, it would be… Machu  Picchu in Peru.
6. I am a master at stacking the dishwasher.
7. I have an interestingly large collection of Bjork in my itunes and I’m not sure why…

Finally, please take a moment and check out these blogs.

1. With All my Affection
2. TwoBoysOneWorld
3. Fitness on Toast
4. Creating Something Everyday
5. Following my Feet

Thanks to everyone who has taken a moment to read through my blog post’s or browse through the site. Being new to blogging, there’s a lot for me to learn and I appreciate the company on that journey. Every time I hear a ping for a like or a follow on a post  I feel like I’m doing ok…

So THANK YOU and keep coming and please let me know about any thoughts, feelings or emotions that this blog provokes.

Red Pepper and Onion Chutney Recipe

Red Pepper and Onion Chutney Recipe

More recipes are coming this way, and I’m impressed with myself mainly since I have a savoury recipe to share. I’ve been doing my best to eat a lot of lean chicken and fish, after a while I felt like no matter how I prepared dinner it just tasted the same.

The Recipe for Red Pepper and Onion Chutney came about while I was trying to plan dinner and couldn’t think of a tasty side. I found a few recipes and examples on line, but inevitably went my own way with the basic ingredients I had at home.

The result is a treat, it’s gotten wonderful feedback from everyone who’s tried it and even better is that it goes perfectly well with just about everything rice dishes, sandwiches or even on the side with some roast.

It’s perfect to add just a little to any meal for extra flavour. The taste is relatively spicy with a tinge of sweet, although the recipe can be adjusted to best suit your needs. The type of oil used can be switched to coconut, sugar substitutes or less spice. Feel free to adjust and experiement and if you do give the recipe a try let me know how it turns out.

 

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Recipe: Red Pepper and Onion Chutney

Prep: 10 min

Cook Time: 30 min

 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 Cup Oil
• 1.5 tspn Mustard Seeds
• 1 tspn Cumin Seeds
• 2 whole green chilli
• 1 sprig Curry Leaves
• 1 Medium Onion, chopped
• 1 tspn crushed Garlic
• 3 Cups Red Bell pepper vary with some Pimento Peppers
• 2 tspn sugar
• 1 tspn red chilli powder
• 1 can peeled tomatoes

Method:

1. Warm oil in a sauce pan, once oil is warm add mustard seeds. The mustard seeds should start popping and will release a fragrance once ready. Add Cumin seeds, green chilli and onion. Let onions cook until soft and browned.
2. Once onions are softened add curry leaves and garlic, stir and add red peppers. Let the pepper cook down for a few minutes, once slightly softened add sugar and red chilli powder.
3. Finally add the can of peeled tomatoes and let the sauce simmer down on a low heat setting until oils come to the surface. Let the sauce cool completely before transferring to a jar and store in a refrigerator.

And that’s it, you get a wonderful tasty chutney that goes well with most meals. If you give it a try let me know how it goes.