The little black foodie book

Ever wondered where foodies find all their secret ingredients? We asked three people in the know to open their address books and share their favourite spots for everything from bread and cheese to fish and wine

Nicole Allen

THE FOOD EDITOR ANNA MONTALI, FOOD & HOME ENTERTAINING, JOHANNESBURG www.foodandhome.co.za

• FRESH AND LOCAL PRODUCE
You will always find me browsing through the Michael Mount Organic Market in Bryanston (011-706-3671), open on Thursday and Saturday mornings, for delicious homemade jams, different types of bread and pies. I also pick up my cheeses – ordered a day or so before – from the Cremalat stand. If you have the time, make a trip to the Cremalat deli in Germiston (011-822-8320) where you can enjoy a light snack from their gorgeous spread and savour some of the best flavours in Italian food. I love Fruit & Veg City in Fourways (011- 465-8051) because I can choose the exact quantities of fruit and vegetables that I need rather than buying them pre-packed.


• MEAT
My family loves meat and quality is very important. For excellent fare (albeit a little pricey) try Oaklands Butchery, in Oaklands (011-728- 4877); the prego steaks are soft and delicious. Seaman’s Quality Meat Products in Strydom Park (011-792- 1410) is fantastic for good-quality beef, lamb and pork, as well as rabbit, which we really enjoy in winter. I prefer to go to a butcher for my meat so that I can get that special cut, such as bolo for making vitello tonnato.

• FISH
We’re also mad about fish, especially prawns. There are two places that I buy fish from, Ocean Fresh Seafood Market at Fourways Crossing (011-465-0444) and The Mediterranean in Fourways (011- 465-4568). The fantastic thing about The Mediterranean is that their deli conveniently closes at 9pm during the week, which is helpful for those lastminute ingredients.

• BAKERY
Tell me which Italian doesn’t love warm, crusty bread; I get ours from Fournos Bakery at Fourways Crossing (011-467-2326). I buy their croissants early on Sunday mornings and fill them with country ham and mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and then toasted. For birthday and special celebration cakes – if I’m feeling too lazy to bake them myself – I place an order with Café Mozart in Midrand (011-314-3035).

• FOOD ON THE RUN
It has to be Woolworths in Douglasdale (011-704- 0614); the parking is right at the door, which makes it convenient to run in and out.

• DELI
If I could live in a deli, I would as I love the aromas and the variety of products on offer. Super Sconto in Orange Grove (011-728-2669) has to be top of my list, although it’s more of a supermarket than a deli. They import a vast variety of the products that I like. Walking into Super Sconto reminds me of Italy… I think it’s the aroma of the coffee brewing that does it. I buy all my Italian ingredients in bulk and normally get them from two places: Azzuro Importers (011-455- 4629) and Gala Import & Export (011-454-3425).

• LAST-MINUTE SUPPERS/QUICK AND EASY ENTERTAINING
I don’t order platters of food if I’m pressed for time. For me quick and easy is a delicious pasta sprinkled with lots of Parmesan and served with different breads, Italian cold meats and plenty of Lambrusco.

• WEEKLY SHOP
No doubt about it, Pick ’n Pay Douglasdale (011- 462-7554). It always reminds me of a supermarket in Grand Baie in
Mauritius where we used to purchase all our groceries. I also pop in at The Red Dragon in Rivonia regularly (011-803-6408) for all my Oriental goodies as we eat Chinese at least once a week.

• BEST-KEPT SECRET
Mushrooms from Edulis (011-483-3920). They import a large variety of mushrooms such as chanterelle, enoki and shiitake. If you know and cook with fresh herbs order from Kazi Farms at The Cradle (011-956-6556). They also have a large selection of sprouts. For Greek ingredients such as phyllo pastry and kataifi (shredded pastry) it’s Portas in Rosebank (011- 447-4683).

• KITCHENWARE
For a large variety of kitchenware I love Kitchenique in Woodmead (011-804-5826) and Chefs ’n Icers in Sandton City (011-783-3201).

• WINE
I don’t have a preferred outlet but we get a few of our Italian wines from Azzuro Importers and Gala Import & Export.

THE PERSONAL CHEF AND CATERER ROS HACKER, PERSONAL CHEF AND OWNER OF UPMARKET BOUTIQUE CATERING COMPANY OLIVE TWIST IN DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL, 031-312-4552 OR 084 208 3799

• FRESH AND LOCAL PRODUCE Everfresh in Virginia Circle (031-563- 0643) and on Cowey Road (031-208- 0050). Both have great bakeries and a dry goods section. I love the Virginia Circle branch for fresh herbs and its range of dried fruits, nuts and seeds.

• MEAT
Dirk’s Meat Market in Davenport (031-201-7125) for everyday buys and great biltong; Mr Mozzies on Stamfordhill Road in Durban (031- 309-1499) for special smoked meats, hams, terrines, game pâtés and sausages. The latter also has a secret rub that flavours most meat to perfection, and serves wicked R10 boerewors rolls with salsa at lunchtime.

• FISH
I buy fish from a few different places. One is Ocean King Seafoods in Morningside (031-208-0390), managed by Enver and Lollifar Marimuthu. It doesn’t look like much, but they always have good line fish at a decent price and a chest freezer filled with crab that’s been prepared to make curry (Lollifar can give you her recipe and sell you the perfect accompaniment). Seashells in New Germany (031-705-6241) supplies fantastic fresh oysters, Norwegian salmon and mussels, and is completely reliable. Its price for oysters is about R3,70 each (wild, medium, half shell). Then there’s the Seafood Market (031-263-0352) in Springfield for everyday buys.

• BAKERY
I like Baked in Morningside (031-303-6305) for mini bagels and cocktail rolls, and Fulham Bakery in Glenwood (031-205-8326) for the rest. Everfresh on Cowey Road (031-208-0050) makes the best muffins.

• FOOD ON THE RUN
The Woolworths Express on Cowey Road (031-309-8612) if I’m being healthy, otherwise Sunrise on Florida Road (031-303 6076) for a mutton roti with sambals (enough for two people). To pick up quick food for catering, I go to Everfresh.

• DELI
Food Matters in Ballito (032-946-1527) for great relishes, pestos, biscuits and cakes (a small but nice selection). It also offers a fantastic buffet lunch that changes daily. I also love L’edicola on Cowey Road (031-309-2240), a small Italian deli filled with fresh, dry and frozen products such as homemade pasta sauces, Italian wines and an awesome selection of biscuits and chocolates.

• LAST-MINUTE SUPPERS/QUICK AND EASY ENTERTAINING
Sprigs in Kloof (031-764-6031). You take your platter and they fill it.

• WEEKLY SHOP
Hyper by the Sea in Durban North (031-563-9733) is enormous and offers everything from baking tins to wine, fresh fish and a lovely cheese selection. It also has oodles of parking and plenty of tills so you don’t have to queue for long.

• BEST-KEPT SECRET
The Asian supermarket, Cheung Hing Hong in Durban North (031-562-0633). It’s well stocked, makes homemade spring rolls and wontons, and has fresh tofu and bok choy. Then there’s the Spice Emporium in Pine Street, (031-332-5888), which is the Indian hub of Durban, for its massive spice bar, cookery pots, atchar, rotis and every kind of lentil under the sun. The atmosphere is amazing and its premises have recently been extended and revamped.

• KITCHENWARE
Food Glorious Food, an online foodie website where you can buy top-notch products including Wüsthof knives, Le Creuset and Cuisipro kitchen utensils. See www.foodgloriousfood.co.za or call 031-201-6930.

• WINE
VDP Prestige (wine and coffee distributors, 031-579-5303) – Sean Rowan will organise and deliver the best wine to you from about 20 Cape wine farms.

THE CHEF MICHAEL BROUGHTON, CHEF-PATRON AT TERROIR RESTAURANT IN STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE, 021-880-8167
 

• FRESH AND LOCAL PRODUCE
The Organic Farmer’s Market at the Waldorf School in Stellenbosch (021-880-1039) for loads of organic lemons, homemade almond butter, tomatoes, lettuce, fresh local fruit and vegetables, goat’s milk feta from Foxenburg Estate, and yoghurt cheese balls dusted with black pepper or crushed chillis. BlueJay Farmstall on the R44 in Stellenbosch (021-889- 5013) offers fresh seasonal fruit at excellent prices direct from the farm orchards, as well as fantastic fresh fruit juices (which we serve at Terroir) that are free from preservatives and additives.

• MEAT
We don’t eat much red meat at home but Pick ’n Pay Waterstone (021-851-8831) does decent, tender lamb and we buy our lean beef mince from Woolworths (021-850-7911). If organic meat was more readily available, we’d probably eat more of it.

• FISH
I’m so fished out after work that I don’t cook much of it at home. From time to time when it’s the season we catch our own crayfish and have fun with that in the kitchen. Last month I bought fresh crayfish straight from the boats on the beach at Paternoster.

• BAKERY
Sostanza in Lakeside (021-788-2411) is our favourite spot for a quick breakfast and coffee on weekends. Take home their sourdough rolls, crispy French bread rolls or fruit and nut sourdough loaf, which is delicious toasted with butter.

• FOOD ON THE RUN
Giovanni’s Deliworld on Somerset Road, Green Point (021-434-6893) makes customised sandwiches with a vast selection of fillings. The service is quick and it’s a great place to stop for a decent coffee on the go. Buy salads, sandwiches, cheeses or something from the freshly cooked homemade counter, such as fish cakes, pasta or Thai chicken curry.


• DELI
Giovanni’s Deliworld again as it offers all the specialist ingredients you won’t find in general stores or supermarkets, from foie gras confit to white truffles. I especially like the selection of salamis and Parma ham.

• LAST-MINUTE SUPPERS/QUICK AND EASY ENTERTAINING
Greengate, Skynshuis on Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch (021-886-6111). Owner Ingrid du Toit has a loyal following thanks to the home-fromhome atmosphere, simple but stylish interior and wholesome, mostly organic food served buffet-style to eat in or take away. The wonderful freerange chicken pie, homemade venison pie or bacon and cheese quiche with organic salad ingredients makes for a quick family supper. Try the moist, nutty carrot cake and wheat-free gingerbread men for the kids, and the organic strawberries when in season – they are fat and fragrant.

• WEEKLY SHOP
Our local Woolworths (021-850-7911) and Pick ’n Pay (021-851-8831), both at Waterstone Village in Somerset West. They’re small stores that are easy to navigate with two toddlers and a trolley. Pick ’n Pay will stock anything you request – I buy Wensleydale organic flours for making bread and Tate & Lyle jam sugar for making apricot or plum jam in summer.

• BEST-KEPT SECRET
Switch coffee roastery at Lourensford wine estate in Somerset West (021-847-0536) for its single-origin, highland-grown, handpicked coffee beans that are customroasted and blended to ensure optimal freshness. Try the Antigua single varietal from Guatemala. I also like Die Boord health shop in Stellenbosch (021-887-9400) for its organic brown rice syrup, which I use in Nigella Lawson’s granola recipe with a touch of Dutch process cocoa powder (I use NoMu’s cocoa powder available at Pick ’n Pay).

• KITCHENWARE
Banks on Main Road, Salt River (021-461-3190). I buy all my goodies and kitchen toys here, such as pots, pans, baking ware, a cheap but efficient wok and quality knives.

• WINE
We are fortunate in that we’re surrounded by some of the best wine farms in the Western Cape, so we tend to buy our wine direct from the farms in the area, starting with Kleine Zalze (021-880-0717). We love the Kleine Zalze Barrel Shiraz and Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Waterford (021-880-0496) is also a favourite because it’s five minutes from Terroir down the most idyllic country road.