THE KITCHEN FILES

1 Did you know?
Coconut oil, the most nutrient rich part of the coconut, is diabetic friendly, helps to regulate blood sugar, doesn’t break down in heat or light and is suitable for cooking.

2 Non-stick tips TO STICK TO…
Always allow a non-stick pan to cool to room temperature before washing it. If you plunge it straight into water, you risk warping it permanently. Handwash your non-stick pan as putting it in the dishwasher can reduce its non-stick effectiveness over time.

3 We’re currently clicking on freshome.com, a sizzling hot site for international decor and design trends to inspire kitchen, living room or bedroom makeovers.

4 A winter fruit with a very short season, persimmon is an antioxidant and a good source of vitamin A and C, potassium and copper. SA-born chef Rozanne Stevens’ persimmon tips include:

• Add chunks to curry for fruitiness.
• Place thin wedges of persimmon on a cheese board.
• Wrap Parma ham around wedges for a twist on a classic canapé.
• Serve with Greek yoghurt, honey and toasted hazelnuts for brunch or dessert.
• Add to couscous with fresh mint, orange zest and olive oil for a salad or side dish.

5  WAX ON, WAX OFF
Love candlelight on your dinner table but hate getting dried candle wax out of the holders afterwards? Pop them in the freezer for at least 30 mins, give the holders a tap or two and the wax will come out easily.

6 Think out of the flower box when it comes to your table decor – bunches of colourful veggies can be just as gorgeous and  won’t go to waste either!

7 Spicy, soothing and warming, ginger and cinnamon tea is a great home remedy for upset stomachs… Take 5cm of fresh ginger and slice into discs about 5mm thick. Place in a saucepan filled with 4 cups of water and 2 – 3 sticks of cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and allow flavours to infuse. Stir in a little honey, if desired. Cool for 10 mins and strain into a heatproof jug.

8 The daily grind
The end result of your brew depends on the size of your ground coffee grains:
Coarse = French press
Medium = Drip pots
Fine = Espresso
Extra fine = Turkish coffee

9 DRESS IT UP
Not to be confused with plain rice vinegar, which has quite a flat taste, sushi vinegar is seasoned with salt and sugar.  These additional flavours make it great for adding to salad dressings, marinades, stir-fries and drizzling over steamed veg.