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Recipe Roundup: Your Top 6 Favourite Recipes from 2023’s first 6 Months

July 4, 2023

Time flies when you’re having fun in the kitchen! June just passed over 2023’s doorstep, which means we’re halfway through the year already. To celebrate, we’ve rounded up your 6 favourite recipes from the last 6 months. Recreate your most loved recipes with this easy recipe roundup:

1. Light lemon sponge pudding

This delicious self-saucing light lemon sponge pudding is perfect for feeding a crowd, especially after a Sunday meal. It’s the ultimate quick and easy comfort dessert, that’s ready in under an hour. As it bakes, the mixture separates into two layers, forming a light sponge at the top and a tangy lemon curd at the bottom.

Also known as “Japie se gunsteling pudding”, this citrus pudding is loved by all.

TOTAL TIME 1 hour | SERVES 4-6 | EASY

INGREDIENTS

butter, melted, to grease
210 g (1 cup) castor sugar
40 g (⅓ cup) cake flour
15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon zest
15 ml (1 tbsp) lime zest
80 g butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, separated
500 ml (2 cups) milk
mascarpone, to serve
icing sugar, to dust

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 2L round ovenproof dish with melted butter.

Place 125ml (½ cup) of the castor sugar, the flour, lemon and lime zest, melted butter and egg yolks in a large bowl. Whisk until well combined and add the milk.

Use an electric beater to beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining castor sugar and whisk until thick and glossy.

Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the citrus mixture. Add the remaining egg whites in batches, folding gently. Pour into the prepared dish and place in a baking dish.

Fill halfway up the sides with cold water.

Bake until set, about 40 – 45 minutes. Dust with the icing sugar before serving with the mascarpone.

Recipe here: Light lemon sponge pudding

When are lemons in season in South Africa?

Lemons are generally available all year round in South Africa.

2. Spicy fusion slaw

This spicy Asian-inspired slaw is the perfect pack-and-go side dish fit for any picnic day.

PREP TIME 25 minutes | STANDING TIME 30 minutes | MAKES 8 jars

INGREDIENTS

FUSION SLAW

¼ red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 mango, peeled, cut into matchsticks
5 baby onions, peeled, sliced thinly
1 cup frozen shelled edamame beans, thawed
½ cup mint leaves
½ cup basil leaves
¼ cup white sesame seeds, toasted

CHILLI SESAME DRESSING

2 red chillies, seeded and finely chopped
⅓ cup lime juice
30 g brown sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp olive oil

METHOD

FUSION SLAW

PLACE cabbage in one layer on a baking tray, stand for 30 minutes to dry.

LAYER cabbage, carrot, mango, onions, beans, herbs and sesame seeds in a serving bowl or smaller glass jars.

CHILLI SESAME DRESSING

PLACE ingredients in a jar and seal, shake well until sugar dissolves. Season and serve with salad.

FOOD TEAM TIP: Drying out the cabbage helps reduce colour bleeding. If you can’t find edamame beans, frozen peas will do just as well.

Recipe here: Spicy fusion slaw

3. Rib-eye steak with tomato salsa

Nothing beats a classic steak dinner!

TOTAL TIME 30 minutes | SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

700 g rib-eye steak
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp barbecue spice
15 ml avocado oil
1 cob of corn
large handful cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 medium tomato, roughly chopped
2 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
handful exotic tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 red chilli, seeded and chopped
1 small red onion, peeled and chopped
15 ml apple cider vinegar
15 ml balsamic vinegar
1 x 400 g tin black beans, drained and rinsed
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

METHOD

STEAK

SEASON the meat to taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and barbecue spice.

GREASE a griddle pan with your choice of avocado oil and place over high heat. Put the steak in the pan and grill until cooked to your liking, 4 – 6 minutes per side for medium-rare or 7 – 8 minutes for well done. Remove from heat and set aside to rest, about 5 – 10 minutes.

TOMATO SALSA

PLACE the cob of corn in the still-warm griddle pan and grill, turning continuously until slightly charred, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cob. Reserve the kernels and discard the cob.

IN a medium bowl, mix the reserved kernels with the remaining salsa ingredients until well combined.

SERVE the grilled steak with the tomato salsa alongside.

Recipe here: Rib-eye steak with tomato salsa

4. Eight scrumptious braai salad ideas

We have 8 scrumptious braai salad ideas for your next braai!

Grape, onion, beetroot and blue cheese salad

With a combination of unique texture and a sweet, tart flavour, the ever-popular grape has endless uses. Think wine, jams, jellies, juice, vinegar and grape oil, as well as the perfect between-meal snack, thanks to its vitamin C and K.

Recipe here: Grape, onion, beetroot and blue cheese salad

Herb-roasted baby potatoes and parsnip basil pesto salad

These potatoes are perfect served alongside a mouth-watering chicken or beef main. We love that it is super easy to whip up. Your guests are sure to enjoy this side on their plate.

Recipe here: Herb-roasted baby potatoes and parsnip basil pesto salad

Lemony cauliflower and sweet potato salad with crunchy mange tout peas

A lighter, fresher update of the classic South African potato salad. The sweet potato is creamy and comforting, while being crammed with fibre, as well as vitamins A and C. The mange tout peas and cauliflower lend a satisfying crunch, along with a nourishing boost.

Instead of rich and creamy mayo alone, the dressing is yoghurt-based and packed with zingy flavours from the lemon, capers and fresh green herbs. This side dish is the ideal accompaniment to a hot-off-the-coals braaied spatchcock chicken, or make a batch to keep in your fridge and package for energising lunches on the go.

Recipe here: Lemony cauliflower and sweet potato salad with crunchy mange tout peas

Grilled strawberry and biltong salad

This super-easy, mouth-watering grilled strawberry and biltong salad is extracted from Jan’s first cookbook, ‘The French Affair: Tables of Love’.

Recipe here: Grilled strawberry and biltong salad

Pan-roasted potato and pesto green-bean salad

The perfect warm salad – this pan-roasted potato and pesto green-bean salad is perfect for warmer weather, or as a side to your favourite main.

Recipe here: Pan-roasted potato and pesto green-bean salad

Thai cabbage salad

This makes a scrumptious salad for a quick lunch.

Recipe here: Thai cabbage salad

Prawn, pumpkin seed, pomegranate and avo salad with lemon curd dressing

This prawn, pumpkin seed, pomegranate and avo salad with lemon curd dressing is perfect for summer entertaining. Serve it as a light lunch or a braai side.

Recipe here: Prawn, pumpkin seed, pomegranate and avo salad with lemon curd dressing

Strawberry, baby herb, walnut and blue-cheese salad

This flavourful strawberry, baby herb, walnut and blue cheese salad is not only visually beautiful, but packs quite a nutritional punch thanks to some certain red gems.

The strawberry is a member of the rose family and is the only fruit with seeds on the outside. Research suggests that eating just eight strawberries a day can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of cancers and even improve cognitive function.

What’s more, strawberries score in the fruit group with the highest antioxidant content, which can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The combination of nutrients in strawberries can also aid in the prevention and suppression of cancer cells.

Recipe here: Strawberry, baby herb, walnut and blue-cheese salad

5. Best braai sides for your next braai

We’ve put together the best braai sides for a day of celebration and indulgence. If you are having friends over for a braai, why not serve one of these braai side dishes as part of the feast?

Braai mealies with three different toppings

Braai mealies with three different toppings are a sure way to wow your guests with some interesting and punchy flavours.

Mealies are fresh and fabulous, adding colour and crunch to any dish. As the days get warmer, let these corn concoctions put a little spring in your step.

Recipe here: Braai mealies with three different toppings

Quick and easy Mexican salad

Enjoy the last of summer’s bounty with this healthy dish.

Recipe here: Mexican salad

Cheese and chutney braaibroodjies

You just can’t go wrong with this combination. Add the red onion for a little extra “zip”.

Recipe here: Cheese and chutney braaibroodjies

Coleslaw with lemon and orange dressing

You simply cannot go wrong with this coleslaw as a braai side.

Recipe here: Coleslaw with lemon and orange dressing

Spring onion and Cheddar stuffed bread

This is perfect for feeding a crowd at your next braai, where you can serve it as a side dish, instead of garlic bread.

Recipe here: Spring onion and Cheddar stuffed bread

Easy roosterkoek recipe

Serve it with butter and apricot jam for the perfect braai side.

Recipe here: Easy roosterbrood

6. How to make easy pancakes

We love having pancakes for breakfast, but we wouldn’t say no to indulging in pancakes for lunch or dinner too! This easy recipe for pancakes is fail-proof and works as the perfect base for any and every meal.

COOK TIME 20 minutes | MAKES 10-12

INGREDIENTS

1 cup cake flour
1 heaped tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
Pinch of salt
2 small eggs
2 cups milk
Sunflower oil
Cinnamon sugar to serve

METHOD

SIFT the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs with 1 cup milk and add to the dry ingredients. The batter should be quite runny, like pouring cream, so add more milk if you need to.

LET the batter rest in the fridge while you heat ½ tsp oil in a non-stick frying pan on high.

LADLE some batter into the pan and quickly swirl it around to cover the surface. After about 30 seconds, bubbles will start to appear on the pancake’s surface and the batter will no longer be runny. Flip the pancake and cook for 30 seconds on the other side.

SLIDE the cooked pancake onto a plate and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Repeat with the rest of the batter, stacking the pancakes and adding some cinnamon sugar to each layer. The sugar will dissolve into a thin, cinnamon-rich syrup. Roll the pancakes when you are ready to eat.

Recipe here: Easy pancakes

ALSO SEE: A meat-free recipe roundup