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Braised Steak
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.
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Afghan Biscuits
I adapted the Afghan biscuit recipe from More Cape Malay Cooking by Faldela Williams
This biscuit is so called because it resembles that of an Afghan turban, writes the late Faldela Williams.
Ingredients:
200g soft butter
1/2 cup castor sugar
1 & 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup cornflakes
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Milk chocolate to finish
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
Cream the butter and castor sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix the flour and cocoa with the butter mixture.
Mix in cornflake and walnuts.
Mixture should resemble a soft dough.
Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto baking tins lined with greaseproof or parchment paper.
Bake for about 12 -15 minutes.
Cool slightly in the tins before removing.
Allow to cool completely before drizzling with melted chocolate.
Top the chocolate with half a walnut, optional.
Makes about 30 biscuits.
Find more recipes like this in Salwaa’s Biscuits and Cakes Ebook
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Spiced Fruit Loaf
Salwaa’s Spiced Fruit Loaf
A treat when freshly baked and spread with butter, served with my Ingelegde Vis (pickled fish)
This absolutely delicious Spiced Fruit Loaf not only tastes amazing but the aroma, gently wafting from the oven, makes the whole house smell incredible. Cinnamon and bread filled with tasty dried fruit, baking together.
Who needs air freshener when you can bake this wonderful Spiced Fruit Loaf.
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
Spiced Fruit Loaf Served With Pickled Fish
In a large mixing bowl add the following:
3/4 cup lukewarm milk
2 eggs
3 TBSP of soft butter
1/2 tsp salt
3 TBSP brown sugar
1 TBSP mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1TBSP finely grated orange peel
1 TBSP finely grated lemon peel
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup raisins
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 packet yeast
Spiced Fruit Loaf
Method:
Mix together to form a dough.
Knead for about 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave to rise until double in size.
When it is risen knock down lightly and decide into 10 equal balls.
Grease a large loaf tin with butter.
Put the balls of dough into the baking tin and leave to rise again for about 30 minutes.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C for about 20 – 25 minutes.
For the glaze
Boil together juice of one orange and 3 TBSP of honey / golden syrup until sticky. Brush over warm loaf as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Enjoy!
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Spiced Fruit Loaf and Pickled Fish
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Camembert Tear and Share
Camembert Tear & Share Rolls
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.
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Camembert Tear and Share
Camembert Tear & Share Rolls
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.
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All media and content are the property of Salwaa Smith and Cape Malay Cooking Delights (PTY) LTD
Homemade Bread
Homemade Baked Bread
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.
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.
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Romany Creams
Salwaa’s Romany Creams
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.
Smartie Romany Creams
Ingredients:
2 extra-large eggs
¾ cup cooking oil
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
3 cups desiccated coconut
3 – 4 cups self-raising flour
125g soft butter
Cooking chocolate to complete
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.
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Cocktail Bread Rolls
Cocktail Bread Rolls
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive
Cocktail Bread Rolls
Ingredients:
1 kg cake flour
1 tsp salt
1 (7g) packet instant yeast
4 tablespoons oil
4 tablespoons plain yoghurt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
1 – 1 ½ cups lukewarm (tepid) milk
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Method:
In a large bowl add the flour, salt, sugar and yeast.
In a separate bowl mix the egg, oil and yoghurt. Add to the flour.
Add the milk and mix thoroughly. You may add more milk if the dough feels to stiff.
Knead the dough until smooth and the dough no longer stick to your hands.
Cover the bowl with plastic and leave to rise in a warm place until double in size.
Knock the dough down to let the air come out.
Break off small pieces of the dough and form into round shapes.
Place in a baking tray dusted with flour. Leave to rise for 10 minutes.
Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
Bake in a preheated oven at 190° Celsius until light brown approximately 25 – 30 minutes.
Makes about 40 cocktail rolls.
© Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
Wholemeal Bread
Wholemeal Bread
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our traditions alive!
Nothing beats homemade bread straight from the oven. I remember my mom kneading bread every Sunday morning so it can be ready for supper. We’ll have it with polony, cheese, spiced beef or left over roast chicken from lunch. Fond memories of the good old days!
Wholemeal Bread
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups wholemeal bread flour
1 & 1/2 tspsalt
2 tsps light brown sugar
1 packet instant yeast (7g)
About 1 & 1/2 – 2 cups of lukewarm water
Method:
Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl and all you do is simply sprinkle on the salt, sugar and yeast, mix these together thoroughly, make a well in the center and pour in the lukewarm water.
Mix the warm liquid into the flour gradually to form a dough (the exact amount of water you’ll need will depend on the flour) You can use you hands or a wooden spoon. I prefer using my hands. it is better to have too much water than too little.
Finish off by mixing with your hands until you have a smooth dough that leaves the bowl clean – there should be no bits of flour or dough remaining on the sides of the bowl.
Cover the mixing bowl with a clean plastic bag or cling film and leave to rest in a warm place until double in size.
Knock the dough down, now transfer the dough to a flat surface and stretch it out into an oblong.
Now fit the dough into the tin, pressing it firmly all round the edges so that the top will already be slightly rounded.
Next, sprinkle the surface with a generous dusting of flour, then cover the tin with a damp, clean tea cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes or at room temperature for about an hour.
If you’re making 2 loaves, divide the dough in half before following the steps above and folding it into the tins.
Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 200°C. When the dough has risen to the top of the bread tin or tins, bake the bread for 40 minutes for the big loaf tin or 30 minutes if you using 2 small loaf tins.
When the bread is cooked, turn it out on to a cloth to protect your hands – it will sound hollow when rapped underneath with your knuckles.
Cool the bread on a wire rack and enjoy with toppings of your choice 🙂
Or serve with your favourite bowl of soup
Cook’s Tip:
Makes 1 large loaf or 2 small loaves
I made one round loaf using a round cake tin and made bread rolls with the left over dough.
Sago Pudding
Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
Perfect dessert for the cold weather! Takes less than 90 minutes to prepare and bake. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve more than 4 – 6 people.
Ingredients:
4 cups milk
1 cup sago
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter plus extra for greasing
2 tablespoon custard powder (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar (extra)
Method:
Preheat the oven at 160° Celsius.
Grease a large pudding dish with butter.
Heat milk to nearly boiling, then add sago, salt, and nutmeg or cinnamon.
Simmer over very low heat until sago is transparent.
Mix custard powder with half a cup of water / milk and add to mixture
Add the 1/2 cup sugar, butter and vanilla, and stir in well. Remove from heat.
Separate the eggs, and whisk the yolks. Add yolks to the sago mixture, whisk or mix until combined.
Whisk the egg whites until stiff, and add the extra 1/2 cup sugar slowly, whisking until incorporated.
Gently fold the egg whites into the sago mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 – 45 minutes, until set and the pudding is light brown on top.
Serve warm
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Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights - Salwaa Smith 
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