Yearly Archives: 2015
Boeber – 15th Ramadaan
Boeber – Traditional Milk Drink
A traditional South African Cape Malay recipe, the taste is so rich and sugary. Boeber is made of milk, vermicelli, sago, sugar or condensed milk flavoured with cardamoms, stick cinnamon and rose water. If you like a “thicker” boeber add more sago. Boeber is traditionally served on the fifteenth night of Ramadan to celebrate the middle of the fast. The evening of the 15th day of Ramadaan is special for those who had fasted the first 15 days. They are known as people who are ‘op die berg’ Many, many years ago after the taraweegh salaah, boeber was served at the mosques. Every family also made boeber for this particular night. After Taraweegh salaah, boeber was also sold at boeber houses at two pence a glass. There, friends would assemble and, if it were a Friday or Saturday, would stay up until sower (suhur) and then go to the masjid for Fajr.
To make boeber you will need the following
100g butter
1/3 cup sago
1 cup water to soak the sago
1 – 1 1/2 cups crushed vermicelli
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cardamoms
50 g sultanas
2 litres milk
15 ml rose water (optional)
150 – 200ml white sugar (depending on your taste buds)
50g blanched almonds
Method:
Soak the sago in the water for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan.
When it has melted, add the vermicelli and toss it so that the butter covers it and it starts to go golden brown.
Add the cardamom, cinnamon and the sultanas.
Stir before pouring the milk into the pan.
Bring to the boil before adding the pre-soaked sago and then simmer for about 30 minutes stirring constantly otherwise it will stick. The sago should become transparent.
Add the rose water (if using), sugar and almonds and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes or so. Serve hot and enjoy!!!
Serve hot and prepare to enjoy this rich, spicy and flavourful drink.
© Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook Launch
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook Launch
On Sunday, 7th June 2015, my Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook was launched at the Grassy Park Civic Centre.
The launch of my cookbook was the result of more than 20 years of dreaming and preparing for this, my first published work. I started collecting recipes in my teens, scribbling recipes from mother, family members and friends on pieces of paper. About 20 odd years ago we bought our first computer and I started to type up all my recipes I collected mostly from my mother, the late Zainunesa Francis (nee Adams). My mother was a great cook and baker, she in turn was taught by her mother (my grandmother) who made the most amazing tarts and pies I am told. She made this pies and tarts, which she sold at factories, as a means of helping to maintain the family. My mother, may her grave be filled with light and may she be elevated to the highest place in heaven, baked the most wonderful bread. (It would have been her birthday today 1st July) Although my mom stopped cooking and baking long ago due to her having a stroke people would still talk about the raisin bread, egg loaf, rolls amongst other stuff she made. At one time my mom baked cakes for a small bakery as well, supplying them with freshly baked cakes and delicacies every day.
My journey with Cape Malay Cooking started in earnest during 2001 when we moved to the UK. In the UK I had access to many ways and methods of researching how to compile and to produce a cookbook. I began by researching how to produce a family heirloom recipe book and self-publishing. All these methods needed lots of monetary investments. For a few years I forgot all about it. In the meantime I was lucky enough to go on many courses. I did various courses from Community Parenting to Business & Administration Diplomas. During 2007 whilst working at the Birmingham City Council I went on an Empowerment for Women course. During that 5 days I learned a lot about myself and my goals in life. On the last day of the course the instructor asked us to close our eyes and visualise the next 5 years of our lives and what we would like to achieve at the end of the 5 years. For me that was visual journey was very emotional and I came to realise that I still wanted to compile a cookbook.
My first granddaughter was born in November 2009 and I resigned from work to take of her whilst my daughter completed her education. The next year and a half was spend caring for my granddaughter. In the meantime my daughters were telling me about Facebook to keep in contact with my family in Cape Town. I opened a Facebook account in February 2011, naming it Cape Malay Cooking. I started posting pictures of food I made every day. Ever since we moved to the UK I continued cooking our traditional Cape Malay foods, bredies, frikkadel, breyanis, etc. The first message I received was from a lady who said “motjie, don’t ever stop with this page, I was looking so long for something like this”. From then onwards it all took off. Within months I reached my 5000 friend limit (I didn’t know about fan pages then, I learned as I went along). Another person advised me to open a second account, I reached my friend limit very soon on that one as well. It was only after I reached my friend limit on my third page that I found out about fan pages! I researched some more and finally merged all my Facebook accounts into one, Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights. For 3 ½ years I was known only as Cape Malay Cooking, very few people knew my true identity. The reason for this was I wanted to remain anonymous for as long as possible, I didn’t start this page for name and fame, I simply did it for the love of my culture and tradition, my sole wish was to preserve our unique way of cooking for my children and future generations.
Many of my followers started requesting recipe books. I compiled 5 PDF Ebooks, but people still wanted the hard copy. I had a few copies printed at a local printer but the quality wasn’t very good. From then onwards I started researching again, this time in more earnest. I approached a large publishing house, who agreed to print my cookbook but due to unforeseen circumstances the contract was cancelled. This was in fact a blessing in disguise. Towards the end of 2014 my husband, Aghmad Smith, decided to finance my project. Alghamdulilaah he worked very hard to enable me to realise my dream.
But the real struggle was still to come. I learned so much the past year. Through research I learned how to style food, take food photography, the layout, publishing, graphic designing, marketing, web designing amongst other things. But I’ll be the first to admit I still have lots to learn as everything is not perfect yet. This journey has finally came full circle with my self-published cookbook being received with wide acclaim from most people, especially people who knows about publishing, cookbooks and literature. I am humbled by the response and feedback I have received thus far. I have to admit my cookbook has a couple of spelling errors but as my brother, Mustapha Francis (who was MC at my launch) pointed out in 30 years time this cookbooks will be a sought after collector’s item! In Sha Allah (God willing)
A few facts about my “Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook”
- My book was launched at the Grassy Park Civic Centre on 7th June 2015
- Over 500 people attended my launch
- My foreword was written by Mogamat G Kamedien, independent slave scholar & community heritage activist who also delivered the key note speech on the day of my launch
- My cookbook is self-published
- My desire to write a cookbook started over 20 years ago
- Members of the oldest Malay Choir, Young Men’s Malay Choir, entertained guests
- My cookbook launch was covered by Abidah Dixon Mohamed for TVs “Proe” program
- The Weekend Argus, covered my story in their 13th June 2015 edition
- The Cape Times as well as the Argus included recipes from my book in the Ramadan supplement
- Chanel Islam International radio covered my story
- Voice of the Cape radio station reviewed my cookbook
- My story featured on southafrica.net
- Capetownmagazine.com featured my story as well
- In addition to the Cape Town launch I had a launch in Birmingham, UK as well as in Bosmont, Johannesburg
Stockist of the new Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook are:
– Shaikhs Exotics
crn of Repulse and Belgravia Road
Belgravia…
0745838129
– Simply Spice – Montague
Ground floor
Kenilworth Centre
021 671 2672
– Simply Spice – Montague
Cavendish Square
Claremont
074 45838129
– Khans
Promenade
Mitchell’s Plain
021 3761500
– Timbuktu Books
Shop 4, 19 Golf Course Road
Sybrand Park
021 697 0517
– Sawants
32 Hadji Ebrahim Crescent, Rylands
021 699 1200
– Deen Store
508 Lansdowne Road
021 762 6745
– Online at the Deen Store
http://deenstores.co.za/product/cape-malay-other-delights-cookbook/
– Voice Of The Cape Studios
2 Queenspark Avenue Salt River
021 442 3500
– Frozen Delicates / Fazliens
Gatesville / West Gate Mall / Kenilworth
021 637 6080 / 021 374 7541
– Ameera’s Fashions
Gatesville
021 637 3474
-Top Boutique
Gatesville
-Eastern Tempatations
35 Greenhill Road
Emmarentia
Johannesburg
011 646 8429
– CII Stores
Trade Route Mall
Lenasia
Johannesburg
011 852 0097
– Covered Pearls Hijab Parlour
Shop L05
PnP Hypermarket
Ottery
079 025 4545
– Islamic Sound & Vision
Souk 3941
Vangate Mall
079 025 4545
– A1-Chemist
Entrance 2
Ottery Hypermarket
082 786 1304
-Expats can buy from
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0620526505
More stockist will be added in the next couple of days…
Links to articles
http://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/treasuring-the-flavours-of-home-1.1871181#.VX280LeJhVA
http://mobi.iol.co.za/#!/article/treasuring-the-flavours-of-home-1.1871894
https://www.facebook.com/abidahd/posts/848895435179565?hc_location=ufi
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/South-Coast-Fever/Hastings-on-Food-20150605
http://www.southafrica.net/blog/en/posts/entry/cape-malay-cooking-is-in-a-class-of-its-own
http://m.capetownmagazine.com/events/the-cape-malay-and-other-delights-cookbook-launch/11_37_56155
http://www.ciibroadcasting.com/2015/05/11/kanala-smaak-jy-n-koeksuster/
More pictures of my cookbook launch
Cape Malay cookbook highlights traditional recipes
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook
Written by Yazeed Kamaldien
When Cape Town cookbook author Salwaa Smith moved to the United Kingdom 14 years ago she made sure her family would not forget the tastes of home.
Surrounded by cuisine from around the world in the UK, Smith cooked all the traditional Cape Malay stews and staples she grew up with in Surrey Estate suburb. She relied on her trustworthy typed-up a list of recipes from home.
Three years ago those recipes gained wider appreciation when Smith started the Cape Malay & Other Delights page on Facebook.
Cape Malay cookbook author Salwaa Smith. Picture by Yazeed Kamaldien
This Facebook page currently has close on 100,000 subscribers, many of whom encouraged Smith to publish a book of recipes.
Earlier this month, Smith launched her self-published Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook in Cape Town, after an initial UK launch.
Smith says her desire to “create something” started…
View original post 975 more words
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook
The RSVP date has been extended to 31st May to allow those who indicated they attending to book their tickets. Tickets can be ordered by calling 0786069655 or email enquiries@capemalaycooking.me
You are cordially invite…
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook Launch by Salwaa Smith
Cost of my cookbook ONLY – R199 + R10 P&P within Cape Town and R25 nationwide.
3 course Cape Malay meal + a signed copy of my cookbook R250
Menu on the day will be:
Starter – cocktails pies, samosas, tandoori chicken, spicy meatballs
Main – lamb and chicken akhni
Dessert – assortment of Cape Malay biscuits, Cape Malay fancies (cream cakes) + tea, coffee & juice
Guest speakers – Mogamat Kammie Kamedien, independent slave scholar & community heritage activist
Vanessa De Bruin – family friend
Entertainment – members from the Young Men’s Malay Choir, the oldest and largest Malay Choir in South Africa
Abidah Dixon Mohamed from CTV’s “Proe” program will cover the event which will be broadcasted on CTV
When: 7th June 2015 @ 12pm
Venue: Grassy Park Civic Centre
Corner 5th Ave and…
View original post 169 more words
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook
You are cordially invite…
Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook Launch by Salwaa Smith
Cost of my cookbook ONLY – R199 + R10 P&P within Cape Town and R25 nationwide.
3 course Cape Malay meal + a signed copy of my cookbook R250
Menu on the day will be:
Starter – cocktails pies, samosas, tandoori chicken, spicy meatballs
Main – lamb and chicken akhni
Dessert – assortment of Cape Malay biscuits, Cape Malay fancies (cream cakes) + tea, coffee & juice
Guest speakers – Mogamat Kammie Kamedien, independent slave scholar & community heritage activist
Vanessa De Bruin – family friend
Entertainment – members from the Young Men’s Malay Choir, the oldest and largest Malay Choir in South Africa
Abidah Dixon Mohamed from CTV’s “Proe” program will cover the event which will be broadcasted on CTV
When: 7th June 2015 @ 12pm
Venue: Grassy Park Civic Centre
Corner 5th Ave and Victoria Road,
Grassy Park
Tickets are selling fast, reserve your space as soon as possible, we can ONLY accommodate 500 people (tickets are ONLY R250 which includes lunch, entertainment and a signed copy of my 120 page hard cover cookbook)
To book call: 078 606 9655
WhatsApp: 074 841 7495
Email: enquiries@capemalaycooking.me
RSVP before 31st May 2015 (extended from the 22nd to allow people to pay for the tickets)
We will also be selling books only at the introductory price of R199 on the day of the launch at Grassy Park Civic Centre for those unable to attend the lunch. Books will only be available from myself and will be available in stores towards the end of July 2015. Contact details above.
Those outside of South Africa who wants to purchase a copy of my book may do so via amazon.co.uk, worldwide delivery. Just search for Cape Malay Cookbook or ISBN 0620526505.
Thank you, I’m looking forward to meeting you all. God Bless.
Salwaa
PLEASE SHARE 😉
Cookbook Launch
Salmon & Lemon Fried Rice
Salmon served with lemon fried rice & Salmon served on a bed of sweet potatoes, mashed
4 cups cooked rice, preferably long grain or basmati
2 tsp coriander / koljana seeds
2 Tbsp sunflower oil
2 tsp mustard seeds
8 curry leaves
3 green chillies, chopped
1 tsp grated ginger
1 ½ tsp turmeric / borrie
Juice of 2 lemonsGently roast and then coarsely powder the coriander seeds. Keep aside.
Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chillies. Fry till the spluttering stop, taking care not to burn the spices. Add the turmeric powder and turn off the heat.
Add the lemon juice and mix well.
Add the rice, roasted coriander powder and mix thoroughly.
To Make Chilli Butter
125 g soft salted butter
1 tsp crushed dried red chillies
Mix together the butter and dried chillies in a small bowl. Transfer and wrap the butter in clingfilm, roll it into a log. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the butter is hard. Cut in slices and use as required. Left over chilli butter can be frozen for later use.
© Cape Malay Cooking
Fish Breyani
Fish BreyaniFish Breyani – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive since 2011!
Ingredients:
3 cups long grain rice or basmati rice
1½ cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup cooking oil
3 large potatoes
2 large onions, sliced thinly
1kg firm fish pieces of your choice, like hake or snoek
1 tomato, chopped
¼ cup buttermilk
1 – 2 green chillies, chopped
1½ tsp jeera / cumin
3 cloves
3 allspice
3 cardamoms
2 stick cinnamons
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter
Fish Masala
7 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
½ – 1 tsp chilli powder
3 tsp jeera / cumin
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tsp turmeric / borrie
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
Method:
Boil the rice in water until half done. Drain, rinse and set aside. Peel the potatoes, cut into slices. Heat the oil in saucepan, fry the potatoes until lightly browned and semi soft, set aside.
Drain excess oil from the saucepan, add the chopped onions, fry until golden brown. Add the chopped tomato, buttermilk, green chillies, jeera, cloves, allspice, cardamoms, stick cinnamon and salt.
Simmer over low to medium heat for 10 minutes or until onions are soft.
Meanwhile, make the masala to fry the fish. Combine all the spices in a small bowl, stir to combine. Wash and dry the fish pieces, smear the masala mixture all over the fish. Leave to sit for 10 minutes before frying in the left over oil used for frying the potatoes.
Arrange the potato slices at the bottom of a large heavy based pot / saucepan. Add half of the rice on top of the potatoes, spreading it evenly. Arrange the fish slices on top of the rice, then the onion mixture, then the mixed vegetables ending with the remaining rice. Dot the butter on top of the rice add 1 cup of hot water.
Cover and steam to complete over low to medium heat for about 20 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave to rest for 10 minutes before serving with lemon atchar or blatjang.
© Cape Malay Cooking
Cape Malay Koesisters
Koesisters – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
Traditional Sunday morning breakfast. Spicy version of doughnuts, this recipe makes 30 koesisters
Cape Malay Koesisters
Ingredients
500 grams cake flour (4 x 250ml)
1 teaspoon dry ginger powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 teaspoons aniseed powder
Rind of 1 naartjie / satsuma, dried and ground (optional)
1 packet instant yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 dessert spoon butter
1 medium egg
milk as needed
750ml vegetable oil for frying
Method:
Using a measuring jug, melt butter and sugar in hot water. Stir in egg. Add enough milk to make 1/2 litre. Mix flour, spices and yeast into a mixing bowl. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and mix to a soft dough. Set dough aside, covered, to rise until double in size. Dip our fingers in a little oil, just to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers. Divide dough into approx 30 small balls on a slightly oiled surface. Allow the koesisters to rise until double in size. Meanwhile heat oil in large, deep saucepan. Once the oil is very hot turn your stove down to medium to high. Gently pull the balls of dough one by one into an oblong shape and gently lower it into the hot boil. Fry each side until browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper. Cool completely.
Sugar syrup:
500ml water
250ml sugar
Boil water and sugar until sugar is dissolved and syrup is slightly thickened and sticky. Add drops of water if syrup becomes too sticky. Add the cold koesisters into the syrup a few at a time. Cook for a minute or so turning all the time so the whole koesister is coated with sugar syrup, remove from the syrup onto a serving plate. Sprinkle with desiccated coconut or make a slit in the middle of the koesister taking care not too go right through. Drop a teaspoonful of glazed coconut in the centre.
Cook’s tip:
Wash and dry the naartjie rind. Leave it out in the sun to dry out or if there’s no sunshine leave it in the oven on a very low temperature to dry out completely before grinding in a spice grinder.
To make the coconut filling
1 cup sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
¾ cup water
3 cardamom pods
1 piece stick cinnamon
Boil all the ingredients together until all the water is evaporated and the coconut is glazed and sticky. About 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn as coconut burns very easily. The coconut mixture should be dry not watery. Remove cardamoms and stick cinnamon before using.
Little balls of dough before frying
Dip our fingers in a little oil, just to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers. Divide dough into approx 30 small balls on a slightly oiled surface.
Frying one side
Allow the koesisters to rise until double in size. Meanwhile heat oil in large, deep saucepan. Once the oil is very hot turn your stove down to medium to high. Gently pull the balls of dough one by one into an oblong shape and gently lower it into the hot boil. Fry each side until browned, about 2 minutes on each side.
Frying
Koesisters draining on kitchen towel after frying
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper. Cool completely.
Sugared koesisters
Sugar syrup:
500ml water
250ml sugar
Boil water and sugar until sugar is dissolved and syrup is slightly thickened and sticky. Add drops of water if syrup becomes too sticky. Add the cold koesisters into the syrup a few at a time. Cook for a minute or so turning all the time so the whole koesister is coated with sugar syrup, remove from the syrup onto a serving plate. Sprinkle with desiccated coconut or make a slit in the middle of the koesister taking care not too go right through. Drop a teaspoonful of glazed coconut in the centre.
Koesisters covered with desiccated coconut
To make the coconut filling
1 cup sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
¾ cup water
3 cardamom pods
1 piece stick cinnamon
Boil all the ingredients together until all the water is evaporated and the coconut is glazed and sticky. About 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn as coconut burns very easily. The coconut mixture should be dry not watery. Remove cardamoms and stick cinnamon before using.
Dried naartjie / Satsuma peels
Wash and dry the naartjie rind. Leave it out in the sun to dry out or if there’s no sunshine leave it in the oven on a very low temperature to dry out completely before grinding in a spice grinder.
Dried naartjie / Satsuma peels
© Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
Pickled Fish (Ingelegde Vis)
Ingelegde Vis (Pickled Fish)
Pickled fish is traditionally made at Easter time. Pickled fish dates back to when there was no refrigerators and different means were used to preserve food. Any firm fleshed fish can be used to make this delectable dish. Yellow tail and Snoek are the most common fish used when making pickled fish.
Pickled Fish / Ingelegde Vis
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1kg snoek or any firm fish cut into large slices
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup sunflower oil
1 cup brown vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
3 large onions, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 – 2 tsp whole peppercorns
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground coriander / koljana
1 tsp ground cumin / jeera
1/2 tsp turmeric /borrie
1/4 tsp dry ginger
2 tsp fish masala (optional)
1/4 teaspoon chilli powder
5 bay leaves
Method:
Wash and drain the fish. Wipe the fish dry with a clean kitchen towel. Salt the fish slices. Heat a large saucepan over medium to high heat. Add the ¼ cup of oil. When the oil is warm, fry the fish five minutes on each side or until the fish is cooked thoroughly. Remove and set aside.
Wipe the pan with kitchen towel to remove the residue from the fried fish, and add the sliced onions and fry till they turn golden. Add the liquids and spices, bring to boil, turn low and simmer for about five minutes. Turn off heat, let cool to warm.
Fried Fish
Arrange the fish chunks and sliced lemon in a Pyrex or glass dish, and pour the sauce over. Cover, and refrigerate for a day or two before eating for the flavours to develop. The flavour improves the longer it’s left before eating and will keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Serve cold with crusty buttered bread.
Pickled Fish / Ingelegde Vis
Click here for details of where to buy the NEW Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook.
Paella
Paella – Cape Malay Cooking
Serves 6
1kg seafood mix
3 large onions, finely sliced
Oil for frying
200gr mushrooms, sliced
1 large green pepper, finely sliced
1 large red pepper, finely sliced
1 large yellow pepper, finely sliced
3 cups uncooked basmati rice
Salt and Tabasco sauce to taste
Fresh chopped parsley for garnishing (optional)
Marinade
2 tbsp peri-peri, chilli or chutney sauce
2 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
5ml Tabasco sauce
Combine marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl, add seafood mix and marinate for about 1 hour. Meanwhile, fry onions in heated oil until golden. Add mushrooms and fry a further 5-10 minutes, or until softened. Remove onions and mushrooms from pan and set aside. Fry peppers in oil for 5 minutes, remove from pan and set aside. Transfer seafood and marinade to frying pan and fry for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, boil rice in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and rinse. Layer ingredients in a large saucepan as follows: first rice, then onions and mushrooms (reserving some onion and mushroom for garnishing) then the peppers and finally the seafood mixture. Continue layering until all ingredients have been used, sprinkling each layer with a little salt and Tabasco sauce. Steam, covered, over medium heat for 30 minutes. Garnish with reserved onions, mushrooms and chopped parsley if using. Serve with lemon atchar and enjoy
Seafood Paella
© Cape Malay Cooking
Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights - Salwaa Smith 
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