To The Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights Online Store
Please note; due to coronavirus (Covid-19) our physical shop is still closed to the public. However, you can still shop online, chose delivery or you may collect in Newfields at a pre-arranged time.
As usual, we are taking extra precautions during these trying times. We have implemented new operational and social distancing safety measures to ensure the continued protection of clients, third party delivery and the wider communities in which we serve.
We are operating with a reduced menu, with a selected menu of favourites, with the full menu being introduced as and when we can.
Chocolate Éclair Pudding
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive.
Chocolate Eclair Pudding
Ingredients for the choux pastry:
1 cup cold water
½ tsp caster sugar
85g unsalted butter
Pinch salt
1 cup cake flour
4 medium eggs, beaten
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200° Celsius.
2. To make the choux pastry, place the butter, water, salt and sugar into a large saucepan.
3. Place over a low heat to melt the butter. Increase the heat and pour in the flour in one go.
4. Remove from the heat and quickly beat the mixture vigorously until a smooth paste is formed, stirring continuously to dry out the paste.
5. Once the paste curls away from the side of the pan, transfer the mixture into a large bowl and leave to cool for 10-15 minutes.
6. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time, stirring vigorously until the paste is smooth and glossy.
7. Continue adding the egg until you have a soft dropping consistency. The mixture will be shiny and smooth.
8. Lightly oil a large baking tray or line the tray with greaseproof paper. Dip a teaspoon into some warm water and spoon out a teaspoon of the choux mixture onto the baking tray. Leave enough space in between for the éclairs to expand.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown, if too pale they will become soggy when cool.
10. Remove from the oven and prick the base of each éclair.
11. Place onto the baking tray with the hole facing upwards and return to the oven for 5 minutes. The warm air from the oven helps to dry the middle of the pastries.
Ingredients for the pudding.
1 packet of chocolate Instant mousse prepared as per packet instructions
250 ml fresh cream whipped
One tin caramel
One small tin nestle dessert cream
150 gram dark chocolate
Once the cream whipped to stiff peaks mix through the caramel and fill the eclairs using half the caramel and cream mixture save the remaining caramel cream
Layer the mousse in a bowl
Then a layer of the eclairs and fill any open spaces with the remaining caramel cream
Melt the chocolate and mix the dessert cream with the melted chocolate to make a smooth ganache and drizzle this over the eclairs.
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.
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
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
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