Comfort food at it’s best! A delicious meal to make on a rainy and cloudy day. Serve with spaghetti for the kids and white rice for the older family members (If they like my husband whose not fond of pasta)
Spaghetti with meatballs is an Italian-American dish consisting of spaghetti, tomato sauce and meatballs. It has become a South African favourite as well, with the older generation preferring the rice over the spaghetti.
Tomato Frikkadel Served With Rice / Spaghetti
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive for the past 10 years!
Serves 4 – 6 Frikkadel Ingredients:
500g fat free minced meat
1 onion
1 small green pepper
1 tomato
½ bunch coriander
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 slice one day old bread soaked in water
1 medium egg
Salt & pepper to taste
Method: Wash and drain minced meat well.
Soak bread in water and squeeze excess water out.
Chop onion, pepper, tomato, coriander finely.
Add all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly using your hands.
Heat your oven to 220°C.
Roll mince mixture into small golf ball size meatballs.
Arrange the meatballs onto a slightly greased baking tin or line your baking tin with greaseproof paper then you don’t need to use any oil.
This is to prevent the meatballs from sticking onto your tray.
Bake in the oven for 20 – 25 until browned.
Meanwhile, make the sauce.
Tomato sauce ingredients: 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons oil 1 level teaspoon crushed garlic 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon dried crushed red chillies or to taste 700g soft, red tomatoes, liquidised or 2 cans chopped tomatoes 1 teaspoon tomato paste A handful fresh rosemary, chopped Sugar to taste
Method: In a large saucepan heat the oil and braise the onion until golden brown.
Add the garlic, salt, chillies, tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar and simmer over low heat until the sauce has slightly thickened, 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the rosemary, stir through.
Add the cooked meatballs (drain any excess fat) to the tomato sauce to keep warm while you boil the spaghetti according to the instructions on the packet.
Spoon the sauce and meatballs over spaghetti, or stir them all together and serve with cheese of your choice, optional.
Garnish with rosemary sprigs.
Variation: Serve with white plain boiled rice.
Tip: Prepare a double batch of meatballs and freeze half. Ideal for busy cooks, unexpected visitors (after the pandemic or when it’s safe to receive visitors😊) or when you want to whip up a nutritious meal for your family.
Bredies consists of mutton or lamb pieces and vegetables cook together in true Cape Malay tradition. Stew or bredie as its known in South Africa usually consists of mutton, lamb or beef pieces cooked with various fresh vegetables. Bredies are traditional Cape Malay food which is simple and inexpensive to cook, especially when feeding large families.
Any type of vegetables can be used on its own or use a combination of two e.g. cauliflower and carrots. Most bredies are spiced with stick cinnamon, allspice and cloves with a green chilli or two for extra flavour. The most popular Cape Malay bredies are green bean, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower bredies and is healthy nutritious winter food. Bredies are served with plain boiled rice, atchars or sambals.
This recipe serves 4 – 6 people
Ingredients: 600g mutton / lamb pieces, washed and drained 2 Tbsp cooking oil 2 onions, peeled and chopped 2 tsp salt or to taste 1 – 2 green chillies, chopped 2 pieces stick cinnamon 1 large cauliflower, leaves cut off and broken into pieces 3 potatoes, peeled and sliced into quarters 1 – 2 Tbsp sugar (optional)
Method: Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan and fry the onions until golden brown. Add the meat and cinnamon. Brown the meat, ensuring it is well browned but not burned. Add a little water, cover and reduce the heat. Simmer until the meat is nearly tender, approximately 30 – 45 minutes. Add the cauliflower, potatoes, chillies, salt to taste and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Add more hot water as required. Stir in the sugar if using.
This is such a versatile recipe which can be used for steak rolls, a gatsby, serve with vegetables of choice and rice or with chips and a salad.
Serves 6 Ingredients for marinade: 1kg rump steak, cut into 10cm pieces 2 tsps steak and chops spice (masala) 2 tsps ground red chillies (or to taste) 2 tbsp paprika 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp crushed garlic 1/2 tsp crushed ginger 2 tbsp oil Enough vinegar to make a paste (add a little at a time)
Mix all the above ingredients into a thickish paste.
Add to meat and marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator
Other Ingredients: 2 tbsp cooking oil 2 large onions, peeled and sliced 1 large tomato, chopped 1 small green pepper, sliced 1 small red pepper, sliced 1 small yellow pepper, sliced
Method: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan. Braise 1 & 1/2 sliced onions until golden brown. Add 1 large chopped tomato and cook for 10 minutes.
Add marinated steak and cook over medium heat for 40 minutes or until the meat is tender. Cooking time may vary depending on your cut of steak. You may want to taste at this point to see if you need salt. Add salt if needed as some steak and chops spice has salt added.
Add the sliced peppers and remaining half onion, stir and cook a further 5 minutes.
Serve with rice and vegetables or chips and salad or as a filling for masala steak Gatsby or rolls. You may use any cut of steak according to your preference.
Here I share with you my homemade bread recipe. Traditionally homemade bread was made every Sunday in most households for a light supper in the evening. I serve my bread with corned beef, polony, cheese or left over Sunday roast.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Slow Cooked Lamb Shanked
This recipe is so convenient to make. All you need to do is prepare the vegetables, pop it in the oven and forget about it for two hours. Best of all it’s made in one pan which is a plus, gives you time to spend some extra time with your family or catch up on your TV serial!
Ingredients: 2 lamb shanks Salt and pepper to taste 1 small onion sliced into quarters 3 – 4 medium size potatoes 3 carrots 1-2 jalapeño peppers slit in half ( optional) 3 cloves of garlic, I left the peels on 3 bay leaves A few sprigs of rosemary 3/4 cup vegetable stock
One-pan Wonder
Method: Add all the ingredients in an oven proof pan or dish. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Pour the vegetable stock over and cover with foil. Slow cook at 170°C for 2 hours. Remove foil and grill further for 15 minutes.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Ingredients: 2 cups long grain rice 2-3 tins of tuna 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables 1 cup vegetable oil 3 potatoes 2 large onions, sliced thinly sliced 1 tomato, chopped ¼ cup buttermilk 1 – 2 green chillies, chopped 1 ½ tsp jeera / cumin 3 cloves 3 allspice 3 cardamoms 2 stick cinnamons 1 tsp salt 2 Tbsp butter 2 tsp fish masala 2 tsp garlic, minced 1 tsp salt ½ – 1 tsp chilli powder Juice of 2 lemons 1/2 tsp turmeric / borrie
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, combine all the spices with the lemon juice in a small bowl, stir to combine. Pour over tuna. 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 tuna with the masala on top of the rice 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 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave to rest for 10 minutes before serving with lemon atchar or blatjang.
Soft garlic and herb enriched rolls, topped with olive oil, served with a whole Camembert. Tear pieces of rolls, dip in the melted cheese and enjoy.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Ingredients:
4 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 packet instant yeast
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
50g butter
1 Camembert
1 large garlic clove
2 green chillies
Few sprigs rosemary
Olive oil
Method:
Combine the flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Add the water and mix until a dough forms. Knead on a clean flour-dusted surface for 10 minutes, or until smooth and springy. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and prove in a warm place for 2 hours.
Grease an oven proof dish or baking tray with the butter. Cut the rind of the top of the Camembert. Peel and finely chop the garlic and chillies. Poke a few holes in the cheese, stuff a little of the garlic and chillies with a sprig of rosemary. Place the cheese in the centre of the tray.
Divide the dough into small balls, arrange the dough balls around the cheese, leaving a bit of a space between in ball. Scatter the remainder of the garlic, chillies and rosemary over the rolls. Brush lightly with olive oil. Cover loosely with plastic and leave for to rise again for about an hour.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for about 25 minutes or until the rolls are brown and the Camembert has fully melted. Using a pastry brush, brush the melted butter over the rolls. Serve immediately.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
It is summertime and we are blessed with the best and juiciest fruit. Naturally sweet and full of flavour, fruit makes the perfect addition to cakes and desserts.
Ingredients:
3 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
4 Tbsp milk, boiled and cooled down
3 Tbsp cooking oil
1 cup cake flour
3 tsp baking powder
Butter and extra flour for greasing the tins
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
Grease 2 small or 1 large flan tin with butter and sprinkle flour over the butter for easy removal of the flan,
In a dry and clean mixing bowl beat the eggs white till stiff.
In a separate mixing bowl mix together the egg yolks and sugar.
Mix until creamy and the sugar has dissolved.
Add the oil to the milk and stir into the egg mixture.
Sift in the flour and baking powder, mix well.
Fold in the egg whites.
Divide into the 2 small greased flan tins or 1 large flan tin.
Bake for 10 minutes in the pre-heated oven.
Cool slightly in the tin before removing.
Leave to cool completely on a wire cooling rack before decorating.
Fill with thick home made custard, whipped cream or caramel. Top with fresh fruit.
Serve immediately.
All photos found on this website are the property of Cape Malay Cooking & Other delights and Salwaa Smith.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Check jam roll this is a quintessential Cape Malay recipe. One that adorned every cake table at a wedding, hujaaj, on the Eid/labarang table or any other social gathering. Check jam roll is also known as Battenberg Cake in England. This striking checkerboard cake is a favourite for afternoon tea in England. Legend has it that the cake was created in honour of the marriage of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter Victoria to Prince Louis of Battenberg in the 1880s. (The coloured squares inside are thought to represent the four princes of Battenberg) It’s quite possible that the English brought the recipe to South Africa and we’ve adapted the recipe to represent our colourful personalities as the original recipe was only yellow and pink in colour and covered with marzipan.
From what I can remember my sister in law making this cake, she used to finish it off in chocolate flavour as well as a plain icing sugar. This cake can be made in advance and keeps well for up to a week if wrapped and stored properly. Slices of this cake was often used as a centre piece in a cake plate at wedding and other such gatherings.
Assembling the cake requires some precision, but it’s easier than it looks. The batter is thick enough that you can fairly neatly spoon two colours next to each other without them bleeding together; you might have to trim a bit off each half to cut away any combined bits. Or you can create a divider to keep them separate. I’ve wrapped a thin piece of cardboard, such as from a tissue box, in aluminium foil to good effect. My recipe makes 2 cakes.
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
1½ cups castor sugar
½ cup hot water
2 tsp cooking oil
2 cups self-raising flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 heaped tablespoon cocoa powder
½ tsp vanilla essence
½ tsp red food colouring
½ tsp rosewater (optional)
½ tsp green food colouring
½ tsp peppermint essence (optional)
½ cup smooth apricot jam
1 tbsp hot water
2 cups icing sugar
3 tbsp cocoa powder (omit if finishing off the cake plain)
Enough water to make a paste
Desiccated coconut
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180°C fan. Lightly grease two Swiss roll tins and line it with greaseproof paper. Cut a strip of cardboard to fit the length of the tins. It should fit snug. Cover the cardboard with foil. Lightly grease the foil and wedge into place.
In a large bowl beat eggs and castor sugar until light and creamy. Mix in vanilla essence, oil & hot water. Fold in the self-raising flour and baking powder.
Divide the mixture evenly into 4 bowls. Mix the red food colouring and the rosewater (if you’re using it) in one bowl. In the 2nd bowl mix the green food colouring and peppermint essence (if you’re using it). In the 3rd bowl mix the cocoa powder and in the 4th bowl the vanilla essence.
Turn the pink mixture (the red will have turned pink) into one side of the prepared tins. Turn the green mixture into the other half of the tin. Turn the chocolate and vanilla batter into the second prepared tin. Smooth the batter gently into the corners.
Bake for 20 minutes until risen and firm to the touch. Leave to stand for 5 minutes in the tin. Slide a knife between the cake, tin and foil strip. Turn onto a wire cooling rack lined with greaseproof paper. Remove greaseproof paper attached to the bottom of the cakes. Leave to cool completely.
Trim the cake so that each half measures approximately 28x9cm. Cut each slab in half lengthways so that there are eight equal pieces.
Mix the jam and hot water to thin the jam slightly. To assemble the cake, brush the top of each cake strip with the jam and press a pink strip on top of a vanilla strip, do the same with the chocolate and green strips. Press the pink/vanilla strip together with the chocolate/green strip to create a chequerboard effect. Make sure to brush all the inside strips with jam to help it sticking together.
Mix the icing sugar and cocoa powder together with a bit of water to make a thick paste. Brush the cocoa paste all around the outside of the cake and roll desiccated coconut all over the cocoa paste. Wrap the cake firmly in greaseproof paper and leave to set for a couple of hours. Cut a very thin slice off each end of the cake for a neat edge.
Chicken and Corn Quiche – Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
With Ramadaan fast approaching I thought I’d share with you my quick and easy quiche recipe. Mini quiches can be made in advance and stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. My mini quiche recipe is a brilliant and tasty way of using left over cooked chicken. Use polony, fish or shredded meat as an alternative.
Mini Quiche
Makes one large quiche or 24 mini quiches
Ingredients: 3 extra large eggs 2 deboned chicken breast, cooked and diced 1 small onion 100g grated Cheddar cheese 1 cup sweet corn 500g puff pastry Salt and pepper to taste 100ml fresh cream A sprinkle of dried herbs #capemalaycooking
Method: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
Lightly grease a baking tin/Pyrex with butter
In a bowl, mix the eggs, chicken pieces, onion, corn, cheese, cream, salt and pepper with a fork until mixed together well.
Roll the pastry to fit your Pyrex. Line your dish with the pastry, cutting the excess pieces off or line your muffin tin or foil cases with pastry using a cookie cutter or glass to fit.
Spoon the chicken mixture on top of the pastry. Top with extra cheese, optional. Sprinkle the dried herbs on top. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
This dessert recipe is delightfully simple to create! Peppermint Pudding is a traditional South African dessert that comprises a coconut biscuit base, creamy caramel and mint chocolate layers. Peppermint Fridge Pudding sometimes referred to as a Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart is a must for the holidays! Here’s my recipe.
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive.
Makes a large pudding or 10 individual servings.
Ingredients: 250ml fresh cream 1 tin (410g) caramel 1 big slab peppermint chocolate, grated 15ml gelatine dissolved in 50ml warm water, optional A couple drops of peppermint essence (optional) 1 packet tennis biscuits, crushed
Method: Whip the cream until stiff in a large mixing bowl.
Add the caramel, gelatine, half of the grated peppermint chocolate and peppermint essence if using and mix to combine all the ingredients.
Layer the above with the crushed tennis biscuits in a serving dish or in individual portion servings using parfait glasses. Start with the biscuits and ending with the peppermint filling on top.
Sprinkle the rest of the grated chocolate on top and leave to set in the fridge for at least a couple of hours or better still overnight. Serve chilled.
Cook’s Note:
Adding gelatine is optional, I only add it to shorten the setting time.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
An elegant chocolate tart. The bright red of the strawberries and the green of the pistachios goes beautifully with the dark chocolate.
Ingredients:
2 ½ packets chocolate cookies (Oreo or similar)
100g butter, melted
350g milk chocolate
150g dark chocolate
300ml fresh cream / double cream
Strawberries for garnishing
Crushed pistachios, optional
Method:
Finely crush the biscuits and mix it with the melted butter.
Line a 20cm non-stick fluted loose bottom tart tin with the biscuit mixture. Use a spoon and your fingers to get an even layer into the bottom and edges of the tin. Freeze whilst preparing the filing.
Using a small pot heat the cream over low to medium. Break the chocolate into small pieces. Add the pieces of chocolate to the warm cream and stir till the chocolate has melted. Pour the chocolate mixture onto the biscuit base. Top with strawberries and crushed pistachios. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our traditions alive!
Fancy making your own bread? Baking homemade bread needn’t be difficult, here’s my easy recipe for a delicious crusty loaf of bread. My recipe makes 2 medium size loaves.
Ingredients:
4 cups bread flour
1 sachet instant yeast (7g)
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 ½ – 1 ¾ cups lukewarm water
Oil for greasing
1 Tbsp melted butter
Method:
In a large bowl add the flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Stir to mix, make a little well in the centre, add the water. Start with one and half cups first. If the dough is too dry add the remaining quarter cup water little bit at a time. You may not need all the water. A wet dough is better than a dry one which will result in a tough bread texture.
Knead well for 10 – 15 minutes. The dough should be smooth and shouldn’t stick to your hands after kneading.
Grease a bowl with little oil. One to two teaspoons oil should be enough. You just want to prevent the dough from sticking to the bowl. Place dough in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm place. Depending on the weather it can take between 1½ to 2 hours.
Punch down. Place in prepared loaf tins, (grease the tins well with oil) and leave to rise until double in volume.
Bake at 190°C for 35-40 minutes.
Turn out and cool on wire rack. To check if the bread is baked through, tap bottom of the loaf, it should sound hollow. Brush melted butter over the loaf whilst still warm.
Shaped in a fluted mould pan
Served with butter and homemade fig jam
Dusted with flour before baking
This bread was made from my basic bread recipe. Shaped in a fluted mould pan, dusted with dry flour before baking. Served with butter and homemade fig jam. Learn how to make my fig jam here.
Dusted with flour before baking
Common bread faults and causes
Lack of volume, heavy and closed texture.
Dough is too tight due to insufficient liquid.
Too much salt added.
Not enough yeast.
Dough over fermented, causing the gas pockets to break down.
Low gluten content due to incorrect flour used
Insufficient kneading or proving
Dough collapsing when placed into the oven
Over proving
Lack of crust colour
Dough over fermented
Lack of salt
Oven too cool
Uneven texture with holes and crust breaks away
Oven too hot
Insufficient proving
Dough left uncovered during proving and surface dried out
Bread is doughy in the middle
Taken out of the oven too early, not enough baking time.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Romany Creams
Romany Creams, one of South Africans favourite tea time treats. A crunchy chocolate flavoured biscuit sandwich together with good quality chocolate. Traditionally it’s made round but I’ve made them into squares as well! It’s a hit with kids as well. Instead of sandwiching together with chocolate, finish with a colourful smartie on top. Use a drop of chocolate to paste the smartie in place.
Method: Cream the butter, sugar in a large bowl until light and creamy. Add the eggs. Mix well. Add the coco powder and stir to combine. Gradually add the self-raising flour & coconut. Mix by hand to make fairly stiff dough. Roll out dough to 2-3mm thick on a lightly floured surface. Using a fork, scrape lines over the dough to create a slightly rough texture. Cut out round shapes with a biscuit cutter. Transfer onto baking sheets. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180C for approx 8-10minutes. Allow to the biscuits to cool on a wire rack. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler. Sandwich two biscuits together using the melted chocolate. Leave to set. Yields approximately 40 complete biscuits
Cook’s Tip: Place a piece of greaseproof paper or plastic wrap over the dough before rolling. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.
Visit our online store for authentic Cape Malay treats and artisan spice mixtures.
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:
50g butter
3/4 cup sago
200 ml water to soak the sago
250 ml vermicelli
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cardamoms
50 g sultanas (optional)
1.5 – 2 liters milk
1/2 tin condensed milk or sugar to taste
1 tin evaporated milk (optional)
1/4 cup of desiccated coconut
15 ml rose water (optional)
50 g blanched almonds (optional)
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. Add evaporated milk. The sago should become transparent.
Add the rose water (if using), condensed milk, coconut and almonds and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes or so. Serve hot and enjoy this rich, spicy drink…
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
That time of the year is upon us – Ramadaan. The ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and lasts between 29 and 30 days. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating.
The fast is from dawn to sunset, with a pre-dawn meal known as Suhur and sunset meal called Iftar.
As well as fasting, abstaining from eating and drinking during daylight hours, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran throughout the month. Muslims should engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramadaan. Ramadaan is also a month where Muslims try to practice increased self-discipline and self-restrain.
With this in mind many of us have already started planning and stocking their freezers weeks and months before in preparation of welcoming this blessed month. Samosas, pies, quiche, spring rolls, doughnuts and traditional Cape Malay koesisters all of which can be made in advance and frozen for up to six months. This savouries and sweet treats can be fried, baked or sugared before iftar and served with a healthy soup for family and friends.
Even though Ramadaan might seem like it’s not all that close, the earlier you are prepared, the better. Thinking of what to cook takes about as much time and effort as the actual task. Make the most of your time now to browse through recipes and try out dishes to assess the cooking time and the amount of effort required. Make a schedule for one or two weeks and rotate it during the month, or make it for all 30 days! You’ll save a lot of time during Ramadaan doing the prep beforehand. If you have older children get them involve peeling and chop onions, garlic, ginger, dhanya, etc. Freeze them in portions ready to use. Likewise, vegetables for soup can also be prepared now, peel, chop, liquidise pour into freezer bags.
Before sunset children will be seen going from house to house taking barakats (plates of food or treats) to the immediate neighbours. In a typical Cape Malay home Iftar will consist of dates, soup and savouries. Boeber, a milk drink, will typically be served with something sweet e.g. koesisters or fritters. After the prayer, a light meal will be served.
Kebabs or burgers can be made, pre-baked and frozen. Homemade, no preservatives. You’ll get approximately 18 burgers from a kilogram of chicken mince. You may substitute the chicken mince with steak mince. Make chicken mince by shredding fillets in a food processor.
My recipe for kebabs or burgers
Ingredients:
1kg fresh chicken or steak mince
3 large onions, finely grated
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp. minced ginger
1 Tbsp. minced green chillies or to taste
1 heaped Tbsp. jeera/cumin powder
2 tsp salt or to taste
1 bunch dhanya, finely chopped
Method:
Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight for the flavours to develop. Next day shape the mixture into burgers or use a burger shaper. Separate the burgers with round pieces of greaseproof paper, big enough to cover the whole burger. Freeze until needed. This mixture can also be used to make chicken kebabs. Pre-bake for about 6 minutes in the oven to hold the shape (can be frozen at this point) before putting the kebabs on the grill. Cook from frozen. Serve with naan bread and a healthy salad for a scrumptious meal.
For Ramadaan we all want quick and easy recipes, the following recipe is no exception. This two ingredient recipe can be used to make naan bread as well as pizza bases.
2 Ingredients Naan Bread
500g self-raising flour
2 cups full fat Greek yoghurt
Method:
Mix the self-raising flour and yoghurt in a bowl until the mixture forms a dough. Leave to rest for 15 minutes. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface into the desired shape or size. Brush with a mixture of melted butter and oil on both sides. Alternatively add garlic paste to the oil mixture to give it a garlic flavour, garnish with freshly chopped dhanya. Cook in a pre-heated oven at 200C for 10-15 minutes. For naan bread turn half way through baking. Makes 2 large pizza bases or 8 naan breads.
A meal idea for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) is to make mini Frittatas which can be prepared the night before and pop into oven in the morning.
Ingredients:
1 medium diced onion
1 large carrot, grated
1 medium chopped tomato
5 chopped mushrooms
2 chopped spring onion
1 finely chopped chilli
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup of grated mature cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp. self-raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Dry parsley for garnishing
Method:
Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl. Spoon into a greased muffin tray. Bake at 180C for 15 minutes. Makes 12 Frittatas.
Cooks tip: substitute with any other vegetables of choice. Left over sausages, chicken or meat can be added as well.
Another easy and quick meal is lamb or mutton chickpea pilau. The meat can be substituted with chicken pieces which reduce the cooking time significantly. No potatoes are added instead chickpeas are used.
Lamb/Mutton or Chicken Pilau Rice.
Ingredients:
750 gram lamb / mutton pieces cleaned and cut into small pieces
4 cups long grain or basmati rice
1 tin chickpeas (400gram tin)
2 large onions, diced
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
60g butter
2 stick cinnamons
5 cardamoms
2 star anise
3 tsp garam masala
2 tsp jeera / cumin
2 tsp salt
2 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp crushed ginger
3 green chillies, deseeded and chopped
Chopped dhanya for garnishing
Method:
Soak the rice in hot water to cover for 30 minutes. Meanwhile using a large heavy based pot melt the butter with the oil. Fry the onions until golden. Add the lamb, mutton or chicken pieces and spices and cook until done. This will take approximately 20 – 40 minutes depending on the type of meat. Add the chickpeas.
Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Add the rice to the lamb, mutton or chicken and chickpeas. Stir gently to combine. Dot with butter (optional) and chopped dhanya. Add 4 cups of hot water. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat to low and steam until the water has evaporated and the rice has cooked. Serve with dhai or atchar. Serves 6
Salwaa Smith is the author of Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook. Salwaa is the third generation Cape Malay cook in her family and is the founder of Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights on Facebook and other social media. Salwaa offers Cape Malay cooking experiences for locals and tourists at her purpose build kitchen in Newfields on the Cape Flats. In addition, she also founded the popular Little Chef Cooking and Baking Club for children which is held during school holidays. Salwaa has her own range of pre-mixed cooking sauces and spices which can be purchased online at https://capemalaydelights.store or from her kitchen in Newfields.
Tasteful pineapple infused chicken. This versatile recipe can be cooked in the oven or on the braai. Serve with a coleslaw salad. Perfect for the hot summer days. Cool and refreshing!
Tropical Chicken
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken
2 Tbsp chilli sauce
1 Tbsp honey
½ cup pineapple juice
Juice of 1 lime
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp paprika
Method:
Cut the chicken into 4 or 8 pieces or spatchcock.
Wash and dry the chicken pieces with kitchen towel.
Put the chicken in a ziplock bag, glass or stainless steel bowl.
Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl.
Pour the marinate over the chicken.
Mix to ensure all the chicken pieces are covered with the marinate.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or seal the bag.
Refrigerate the marinated chicken overnight to let the flavours infuse.
Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before roasting or braaing (BBQing).
Use the sauce to baste the chicken during cooking or braaing.
Roast the chicken in a preheated oven at 220⁰ Celsius for 30 minutes or until the chicken is a deep golden brown and is cooked through, turning once during the cooking time.
Alternatively, braai the chicken over medium heat.
Tropical Chicken
Cook’s tip how to spatchcock a chicken:
Cut down either side of the backbone with a pair of scissors. Remove the spine and keep aside for making chicken stock. Turn the breast side up and flatten the chicken by pressing down the heel of your hand.
Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Today I’m sharing with you one of my late mommy’s favourite cakes. The making of this cake was reserved for Eid and other special occasions. Although we didn’t and still don’t celebrate Christmas my mom would always bake cakes and share with our neighbours.
We grew up in an area where multi-faith people lived. Everyone respected each other’s religion. At Eid some of our non-Muslim neighbours reciprocated with their home bakes. Naturally they would only send gifts suitable for Muslim consumption.
For an extra rich fruit cake buy fruit cake mixture that has cherries and nuts included. You may add extra almond slivers. During my younger days I didn’t like cake that had cherries as an ingredient. But strangely now that I’m older I’ve acquired a taste for cherries. I have made a double batch of the recipe below to show you different ways of presenting your fruit cake.
I would have loved to bake a cake for each and everyone of my followers but the very least I could do is share my mom’s recipe. Who knows, maybe you could start your own tradition, make an extra cake and share it with your neighbours?
Happy holidays!
Here follows my step-by-step method. The full recipe is further along.
Using a large pot add 250g butter or margarine, 1 cup soft dark brown sugar, 2 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1 dessert spoon instant coffee, 3 cups water, 500g luxury fruit cake mixture.
Bring to the boil, simmer over medium until all the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved, about 5-10 minutes. Stir gently.
Allow to cool completely.
Whisk eggs in a separate bowl.
Add the flour and baking powder as well as the boiled fruit mixture.
Stir with wooden spoon, mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
Pour into the prepared cake tin/s. As I’ve doubled the recipe i made some in a loaf tin, some in mini loafs and one in a bundt tin.
Bake on the centre shelf. To test if the cake is baked insert a toothpick / cake tester in the centre of the cake, if it comes out clean the cake is done.
FAN OVEN: 130°C for 2 hours
CONV OVEN: 150°C for 2 hours
You can now visit our online store to purchase your copy of my Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook as well as my range of spices.
I’m please to announce our online store is up and running! You can now purchase your copy of my Cape Malay & Other Delights Cookbook as well as Salwaa’s Pre-Mix Spices online for home delivery. We offer local, national and international delivery.
Our homebased shop is open Monday’s to Thursdays 2pm – 4pm.
Saturdays 10am – 4pm.
Here we stock frozen curry pre-mix, akhni pre-mix, butter chicken pre-mix, savouries, koesisters, doughnuts, pre-baked rotis, konfyt, atchars as well as a range of other goods.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Pineapple & Banana Fritters
Ingredients:
100g canned pineapple, crushed or pieces
1 large banana, sliced
1 cup self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp fine cinnamon
3 tsp sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup juice of the canned pineapple
Method:
Mix self raising flour, baking powder, cinnamon & sugar. Add egg and juice. Add pineapple and banana, mix well. Drop spoon full of batter onto a hot greased pan and bake until done turning once during baking. Serve warm with cream and golden syrup. Or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Variation:
Add any fruit of choice
Fresh pineapple can be used
Instead of the juice, add 1/2 cup milk
Recipe can easily be doubled if required.
Salwaa’s Crustless Milk Tart
I made this quick and simple version of milk tart the other day. Allthough it’s no where as delicious as the traditional milk tart, everyone enjoyed it and it disappeared as quickly as it was made. When it came out of the oven it was quite high but it sinks and becomes denser as it cools. This recipe serves 4 and can easily be doubled if a larger quantity is required.
Ingredients:
¾ cup self-raising flour
2 cups milk
3 large eggs
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 Tbsp butter, melted
Pinch salt
½ tsp fine cinnamon
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Ingredients:
400g deboned chicken breasts (about 2 chicken breasts)
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 green pepper
2 large onions
1 Tbsp oil (olive or normal cooking oil)
½ – 1 tsp crushed red chillies
1 tsp jeera /cumin
1 tsp paprika
¼ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
@capemalaycooking
1 tsp freshly crushed black pepper
200 strong cheddar cheese
2 tsp lemon juice
Method:
Cook the chicken breasts in a little water.
Add water as needed but don’t add too much, just so it does not stick or burn to your pot.
Meanwhile chop the peppers and onions finely.
Once the chicken has cooked removed it from the pot and allow to cool.
Shred the chicken breasts into small pieces.
Heat the oil in the pot, add the onions and peppers,
sauté for about 5 minutes.
Add the rest of the spices, stir and cook a further 5 minutes, don’t add water.
Cool completely before adding the shredded chicken, cheese and lemon juice.
Fill your samosas as you normally would. Serve with a chutney dip. Delicious 😋
Trust you are all enjoying good health with the mercy of the Allmighty.
We are well into April, can you believe it? Seems like it was New Year the other day! Anyway, I thought I’d give you an update of all the new developments here at Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights.
Thus far, the year has proved to be full of sadness, blessings and new adventures for me, Alhamdullilaah (all praise to the Almighty).
My dad, Mogamat Moosa Francis, passed away at the beginning of February after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Six weeks later my sister in law, Baraneez, passed away at the very young of 44. May Allah (God) be pleased with them and elevate their status in paradise, ameen.
I’m now on my way to be qualified as a tour guide which will enable me to provide Cape Malay Cooking Adventures to tourists visiting our beautiful city. I’ll be providing the adventures from my home in Newfields. For more information please email me or complete the contact form below.
I’m also offering cooking classes to locals, please contact me for details.
Cape Malay Cooking Lessons
My premix spices have been well received, we now have the ready made cooking sauce where you only add your meat, chicken, fish or vegetables. All the other ingredients have already been added. In addition we also have ready mix dried spices. Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of this mixture to make a delicious curry or akni. 10% of all profits goes to our charity, Cakes For Kids – free birthday cakes for less privileged children.
Salwaa’s Cape Malay Spices
We will be opening a frozen division, Salwaa’s Cape Malay Delights. We are now taking orders for Ramadan. Please place your order by the 7th May 2017 to avoid disappointment. 10% of all profits goes to our charity, Cakes For Kids – free birthday cakes for less privileged children. Our price list is below.
Frozen Savouries Price List
For all your birthday cakes, cupcakes, fancies, etc…
please contact Tohierah on 078 606 9655
Last but not least! I’ve been appointed as Brand Ambassador to Akila Foods. I’ll be working closely with the Akila and Flava brand in future. If you would like to collaborate or work with me on any project please do get in touch.
Fish Frikadel (Fish Cakes)
Come rain or sunshine fish frikadel served with dhal and or ‘gesmoorde’ tomato is our favourite meal on a Monday in our household. ‘Gesmoorde’ tomato is made similarly to marinara sauce.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Fish Cakes
Fish Frikadel
Ingredients:
500g hake fillets or 3 tins tuna chunks, in brine, drained
2 slices of bread (preferably a couple of days old)
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 teaspoon jeera/cumin powder
1 & 1/2 teaspoons leaf masala (curry powder)
1/2 teaspoon borrie/tumeric
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste
Handful chopped parsley
1 medium egg
Cooking oil for shallow frying
Dhal Curry
2 cups of dhal washed and drain
Cook untill soft with 1tsp each of garlic, ginger, salt and turmeric approximately 20 – 30 minutes
Add water as needed
Meanwhile braise one large onion in a separate pan in;
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp butter
Add
2-3 chillies
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 large tomato chopped in small pieces
Braise for about 5 – 7 minutes
When Dhal is soft and ready stir onion mixture into dhal.
Garnish generously with dhanya and a couple of mint leaves ( mint leaves are optional but it does give a lovely taste to the dhal) @capemalaycooking
Gesmoorde Tomato (Marinada)
Sauté a large peeled and chopped onion in a tbsp of oil. Add 2 finely chopped cloves of garlic, green chilli, 1 small chopped green pepper, 1/2 salt, 1/4 tsp dried mix herbs, 2-3 large red tomatoes. You may use 1 tin of chopped tomatoes instead of the fresh tomatoes. Add 1 tbsp tomato paste. Season and cook until well blended and the vegetables are soft. @capemalaycooking
Chops infused with a mint flavoured marinade served with a mint sauce served with a baby leaf salad.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
Ingredients:
Serves 6
12 lamb chops, trimmed
3 red chillies, seeds removed and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 pack (20g) of fresh mint, finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
For the mint sauce:
250g plain smooth yoghurt (2x175g tubs)
Small pack mint, finely chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
1 packet baby leaf salad mix
½ red onion J
uice of half a lemon
Seasoning as required
Method:
To make the mint sauce:
Place the yoghurt in a bowl, add the chopped mint, lemon juice.
Season with salt and pepper, mix well to combine.
Sprinkle with the lemon zest and set aside.
To make the chops: Place the finely chopped chillies, garlic, lemon juice with zest, mint and olive oil in a bowl.
Mix well until a paste forms and season with salt and pepper. Spread the paste over the chops and cook on hot griddle pan or under pre-heated grill.
For better results refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking, Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side depending on how you like your lamb, medium or well done.
Serve with the mint yoghurt and salad.
To make the salad, add the baby leaf salad in a bowl with the thinly sliced onion and toss with the lemon juice. Season and serve.
Here is my basic recipe for quick and easy cupcakes. These easy cupcakes are so simple to make. Decorate with a swirl of delicious buttercream frosting, whipped fresh cream topped with fruit, ganache or plain icing sugar.
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive
Ingredients:
250g soft butter
1 cup caster sugar
4 extra large eggs
2 cups self-raising flour
Method:
Quick and easy, no fuss cupcakes.
Preheat the oven to 170° Celsius. Line 2 muffin trays with 24 cupcake cases. Add all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand whisk, beat together until smooth. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases. Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven, for approximately 15 minutes or until well risen, light brown and firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating according to your taste.
This masala chicken recipe is very special as it was made with my very own Cape Malay Cooking BBQ masala mix. This masala mix, as well as many other ready made spice mixtures, will be available end of September 2016, God willing. In the meantime if you wish to try this recipe you may use any BBQ spice from your local spice shop or supermarket.
Masala Chicken
Ingredients for marinade:
6 chicken legs
2 tsp Cape Malay Cooking BBQ spice
1 tsp ground red chillies (or to taste)
2 dessert spoons paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic paste
2 Tbsp oil
Enough lemon juice to make a paste (add a little at a time)
Mix all the above ingredients into a thickish paste
Taste for salt as the BBQ spice might have salt in it
Method:
Wash and dry the chicken legs. Make deep cuts into the chicken legs.
Rub the chicken legs all over with the spice make sure the whole leg is covered.
Put the marinade in a glass or stainless steel bowl, I don’t marinade in plastic containers to prevent it from staining.
Refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Now here is my secret of this delicious, flavourful masala chicken.
Add little oil to a pot and cook chicken covered for about 10 minutes on medium heat for the flavours to infuse even further. Transfer the chicken into an oven proof dish. Pour any remaining liquid from the pot over the chicken.
Grill for a further 30 minutes at 200° Celsius, turning chicken over after 15 minutes and baste with any remaining sauce. The chicken is done when it’s nice and golden brown on the outside and juicy inside.
You may of course grill the chicken on your braai / BBQ as well. After all National braai day is coming up soon 🤗
Dhanya / Coriander Rice
Dhanya Rice
This is a very simple yet flavourful rice to make. It can be served with a variety of different foods, e.g curry, frikkadel, meat or fish.
Method:
Parboil the rice until half cooked.
Pour into a colander, rinse, leave the rice in the colander whilst preparing the onions.
Heat your saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, melt until it starts to bubble and the colour changes to golden brown. Add the cardamom and stick cinnamon. Add the onions. Braise the onions until golden brown. Add the half cooked rice, salt and a cup of water. Heat the rice until warmed through. Add the dhanya, stir with a fork to loosen the grains and turn the heat off. Leave the sealed saucepan on the stove, the retained heat will complete the cooking process and any water left will be absorbed leaving you with fluffy and tender.
VARIATION:
Add a cup of mixed vegetables with the rice before steaming.
Add a tin of drained chick peas with the rice before steaming.
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Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
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