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.
Homemade Corned Beef (Sout Vleis)
Corned beef served with homemade bread or homemade bread rolls are traditionally served on Eid mornings for breakfast. Very often this will be accompanied by pastei (a large minced meat or steak and kidney pie)
There’s still a couple of days left if you want to start making your own corned beef. 🙂 Homemade corned beef is very easy to make and very inexpensive compared to shop bought corned beef.
Homemade bread rolls filled with homemade corned beef
Ingredients:
4 ½ litres water
2 cups salt
½ cup sugar
5 tsp pink salt*
2 tsp garlic (crushed)
4 Tbsp pickling spice**
2 ½ kg beef brisket, topside or silverside
Spices
Method:
Combine the water, salt, sugar, pink salt, garlic and 2 tablespoons pickling spice in a large deep pot. Bring it to a simmer, stirring until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate the mixture until it’s completely chilled.
Place the brisket in the mixture (brine). Put a plate on top of the meat to keep it submerged in the brine. Refrigerate and leave to marinade for 7 days.
Submerge the beef in the brine for seven days.
Remove the corned meat from the brine and rinse it thoroughly under cool running water.
Ready to be cooked
Cooking the corned beef:
Place the brisket in a pot large enough to hold it and add enough water to cover the meat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer gently for 3 hours or until the brisket is soft and tender. Ensure the brisket is covered with water all the time whilst cooking. Add more water if it gets too low.
Remove the corned beef from the water. Allow to cool, slice the corned beef and serve warm or cool, then wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Corned beef can be refrigerated for up to a week.
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.
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
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.
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.
Remove the crusts of the bread, cut the bread into squares. Soak the bread in the milk until soft.
Using an electric mixer, mix the eggs, custard powder and sugar together until the sugar has dissolved.
Add cinnamon and cardamom.
Mix in the bread and milk mixture.
Grease a 2 litre oven proof dish with half of the butter.
Gently pour the bread pudding mixture into the dish. Dot the remaining butter on top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180° Celsius for 50 – 60 minutes, or until firm.
Cool slightly before eating. Serve with stewed dried fruit or apricot jam.
Stewed Dried Fruit
250g mixed dried fruit (I used only prunes and apricots here)
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 stick cinnamon
2 cloves
1 tsp lemon juice
Method:
Add all the ingredients, except the dried fruit and lemon juice, in a deep saucepan. Bring to the boil. Cook until sticky. Add the dried fruit and lemon juice. Cooks further 10 minutes until the dried fruit are soft. Add little water if the syrup becomes too sticky. Serve with bread pudding or potato pudding.
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.
Deliciously moist pudding, serve with custard or enjoy on its own. Makes one large pudding or divide into ramekins.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups milk
2 tsp brown vinegar
2 Tbsp smooth apricot jam
2 Tbsp butter
2 cups cake flour,(plain) sifted
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Method:
Preheat oven to 180° Celsius. Cream together sugar, jam and eggs. Melt butter and add vinegar add this to the sugar and egg mixture. Add the milk, flour and bicarb, mix well to combine all the ingredients. Pour into a pyrex dish (or something similar) and bake for 45 – 60 minutes. If you using ramekins the time will be considerably shorter. You’ll know its baked when the top is browned and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and pour the warm sauce over. Makes 6 – 8
TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon caramel essence
Melt all the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat an pour over the cake.
#capemalaycooking
OR USE THIS RECIPE FOR A CREAMY SAUCE
250ml Cream
125ml butter
125ml sugar
125ml water/Orange juice
Melt together as per above sauce and pour over warm pudding
Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
Gulab Jamuns are popular in South Asian cuisine. Crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy inside. Gulab Jamuns can be eaten as a dessert with ice cream or fresh cream. It can also be made during Ramadan to share with family, friends and neighbours. It is a great alternative to koesisters or doughnuts.
Gulab Jamun
Ingredients:
1 tin condensed milk (497g)
3 Tbsp butter, melted
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp semolina
1 tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp rose essence
2 – 2¼ cups cake flour, sifted
Oil for deep frying
For The Syrup
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1 tsp rose essence
Desiccated coconut to finish
Method:
Using a medium size bowl whisk the condensed milk and melted butter together. Add the ground cardamom, baking powder, bicarb, essence and semolina whisk until the mixture turn creamy. Gradually add the flour to form a soft dough. (You may not need the full 2¼ cups of flour.) Leave to rest for about 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 30 pieces. Roll the pieces of dough into balls or into oblong shapes. Best to use a slightly floured surface (and hands) as the dough might be slightly sticky.
In the meantime add the syrup ingredients in a pot and bring to the boil. Boil until the sugar water turns sticky. Remove from the heat but keep warm to dip in the cooked gulab jamuns when done.
Heat the oil in a deep pot and deep fry the gulab jamuns on medium heat, take care not to over crowd the pot as the gulab jamuns will swell considerably. Fry until deep brown stirring all the time to get an even colour all over. Remove and drain excess oil on kitchen paper. Cool slightly before dipping in the warm sugar syrup and rolling it in desiccated coconut.
Cook’s note:
You may not need all the flour, add the flour gradually
You may leave the jamuns drenched in the syrup of you like it sweet and syrupy until it is ready to be served.
Raisin Buns – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
Freshly Bakes Raisin Buns
This time of the year brings back fond memories of many years ago. My late mom (may Allah/God grant her nur/light in her kubr/grave, ameen) used to make these buns to gift to our neighbours. She would knead and bake up to 5kg at a time. Imagine all those buns and all the people who enjoyed it. Here I’m sharing her recipe to make 24 buns but if your feel adventurous and generous make extra to share with your neighbours 😉
Makes 24
1 kg cake flour, extra for dusting
1 & 1/2 tsp salt
100 g soft butter
2 packets instant yeast (7 g packets)
2 Tbsp sugar
3 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp cinnamon powder
4 tsp ground aniseed
250g raisins or dried mixed fruit
2 – 3 cups warm water & milk mixture (half & half)
Raisin Buns – Before Baking
Raisin Buns Before Baking
Freshly Baked Spread With Lots Of Butter
Glaze:
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tsp boiling hot water
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour and salt, rub in the butter. Stir in the yeast, sugar, spices and raisins. Mix in the water/milk to form a dough. Start with 2 cups first, gradually add the rest as needed. Certain flour needs a little more or less liquid so feel free to adjust. Mix until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or so until the dough is soft and smooth.
Return the dough to the mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm spot until double is size, about 2 hours.
Gently knock the dough down for the air to escape. Divide the dough into 24 pieces and shape into buns.
Place on a floured baking sheet cover with plastic and leave in a warm place to rise until double in size.
Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius.
To make the glaze, mix together the sugar and hot water until sugar has dissolved. Brush over the baked buns immediately after taking from the oven.
Suggestion:
Instead of making buns divide the dough into two, bake in loaf tins for raisin bread / loaves. Brush with glaze after baking.
Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
Akhni is basically a rice and curry dish which have been made into one. Mutton, lamb or chicken pieces are made into a dish very similar to curry and topped with rice. Basmati or long grain rice is best to use for this dish as with all rice dishes. Akhni is very often served at large gatherings and sometimes made over an open fire (BBQ). The taste of akhni made over an open fire changes completely in comparison to one made on an electric or gas stove. There are different versions of akhni available e.g. akhni is made in most Asian countries and varies by region. Here I share my version of Cape Malay akhni which is served with dhai, tomato and onion salad or various atchars.
Mutton Akhni
Ingredients:
1kg mutton/lamb pieces
6 medium potatoes, peeled and halved
1 heaped tsp of saffron
3 large onions, finely chopped
50g butter or margarine
1 cup buttermilk
1 large whole fresh green chilli, slit open
1 Tbsp garlic and ginger paste
1/2 cup chopped fresh dhanya
2 & 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
2 & 1/2 tsp red leaf masala/roasted masala
2 tsp ground jeera/cumin
2 tsp ground coriander/koljana
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp turmeric/borrie
4 – 5 cups basmati rice
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 tsp jeera seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 bay leaves
6 cardamom pods, slit open
4 pieces of stick cinnamon
6 all-spices
6 cloves
Method
Wash the mutton pieces, drain and set aside. Boil the potatoes in a little water, till half-cooked but still firm. Infuse the saffron in 1 cup of boiling water and set aside.
Melt the butter in a pan and fry 1 chopped onion in the butter and set aside.
Place the mutton pieces in a large mixing bowl and add the buttermilk, green chilli, garlic and ginger paste, dhania, salt, red leaf masala, ground jeera, ground coriander, chilli powder, and turmeric. Mix thoroughly, ensuring that all of the mutton pieces are covered in the marinade. Set aside for 1 hour.
Rinse the rice in a colander, drain and place in a large pot on medium to high heat. Add water to reach halfway and add 1 teaspoon salt. Boil till half-cooked (the rice grains should be firm). Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain and set aside.
#capemalaycooking
Heat a large pot on medium to high heat, add the oil. Add the jeera seeds, mustard seeds, bay leaves, cardamom seeds, all-spices,cloves and cinnamon. Stir-fry for 1 minute then add the remaining chopped chopped and braise till golden in colour. Add the marinated mutton pieces along with the marinade, the 1 cup of water and simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes, or till the meat is tender and cooked. Add more water if the meat becomes to dry.
Arrange the potatoes between the mutton pieces and spoon the rice directly on top. Pour the fried onion with the melted butter over the rice, and lastly pour the cup of water containing saffron plus 1 more cup of boiling water over the rice and onions. Turn the plate on high for 5 minutes, then lower it to low. Steam, covered, for 20 minutes. Turn the heat off, leave to “rest” for 10 minutes before serving with dhai and tomato & onion salad.
Note: All akhnis and breyanis should be dished from the bottom up.
Variation: The mutton may be substituted with lamb or chicken pieces (thigh, drumstick, wing and breast,) and prepared in exactly the same manner. Cooking time however will be less if using chicken or lamb. Note that the breast portion should be halved 🙂
Tripe Curry (Pens Kerrie) – Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
A traditional South African delicacy that remains a favourite in many homes. You either love it or don’t like it.
Tripe Curry / Pens Kerrie
Ingredients:
1 kg clean tripe
1 tsp salt
3 bay leaves
3 large onions, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, grated
2 tsp garlic
1 ½ tsp turmeric/borrie
1 ½ tsp coriander/koljana
1 green chilli, chopped
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp leaf masala
Method:
Boil the tripe with one teaspoon salt, bay leaves and enough water to cover until soft, about 2 hours. Drain and reserve the water. Allow the tripe to cool down before cutting it into strips. Set aside whilst making the sauce.
Fry the onions in a large pot until transparent and soft. Stir in the grated tomatoes, garlic, turmeric, coriander, green chillies, chilli powder, salt and the leaf masala. Simmer over low heat until the gravy is well blended and cooked through, this should take about 20 minutes to get a nice thick gravy. Add from the reserved water if needed. Add the strips of tripe and cook a further 15 minutes stirring every now and then, adding water if necessary. Serve with boiled white rice. Serves 6
Variation:
Add soft boiled sugar beans when adding the tripe
Add 1 cup of steamed gram dhal when adding the tripe.
Ingelegde Vis (Pickled Fish) – Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delight
Pickled fish is a sweet and sour dish which is traditionally eaten over Easter time. This is a very tasty way of preparing fish and can be cooked in advance. The flavour improves with time and stays fresh for up to two weeks in the refrigerator . Here I have used yellow tail to make this pickled fish. You may use snoek or any other firm fish. Best eaten cold.
Ingelegde Vis / Pickled Fish
Ingredients:
1kg snoek or any firm fish cut into large slices
Salt and pepper for seasoning
1 cup brown vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
3 large onions, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 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
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
5 bay leavesMethod:
Season the fish chunks with salt and pepper, and quick-fry till opaque in a well-oiled pan. Remove and set aside.
Yellow Tail
Wipe the pan, and fry the sliced onions till they turn golden. Add the liquids and the spices, raise to boil, turn low and simmer for about five minutes. Turn off heat, allow to cool slightly.
Arrange the fish chunks and sliced lemon in a pyrex or glass dish, and pour sauce over. Cover, and refrigerate when completely cold. Leave the pickled fish to marinade for a day or two before eating. The flavour improves the longer its left before eating and will keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Serve with crusty buttered bread.
Peaches & Cream Sponge Cake – Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
Use the summer fruit which is in abundance now in South Africa, to decorate your cakes and bakes.
Peaches & Cream Sponge Cake
Ingredients:
1 cup castor sugar
4 extra large eggs
1 cup sunflower oil
2 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 cup self raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
300 ml fresh cream, whipped
Fresh or canned fruit of choice to decorate
Melted chocolate, optional
Roasted dessicated coconut for the sides, optional
#capemalaycooking
Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease 2 x 20cm baking tin with butter and dust the baking tins with flour or line the tins with greaseproof paper.
Fruit Mince Pies – Salwaa Smith – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights
A mixed fruit mince pie is a fruit-based spicy mincemeat sweet pie of Middle Eastern origin that is traditionally served during the Christmas season. However, the pies themselves are a British invention.
Mince pie ingredients can be traced back to the 13th century. Returning crusaders brought with them Middle Eastern recipes that contained meats, fruits and spices. As fruits and spices became more plentiful in the 17th century, the spiciness of the pies increased.
Treat your family with my homemade mincemeat recipe. For the base I used my milk tart base recipe. Makes 18 mince pies or 1 large tart and 6 small pies.
Mincemeat filling:
3 medium red apples
5og butter
2 cups mixed fruit mixture
½ cup soft brown sugar
Zest and juice of 1 orange
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbsp almond flakes
½ tsp mixed spice
Peel, core and dice the apples into small pieces. Add all the ingredients into a deep saucepan Bring to the boil, then simmer over low to medium heat. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring often. Cool completely before using.
Short bread base for the mince pies:
1 large egg
125g butter/margarine
¼ cup cooking oil
¾ cup sugar
2 cups self-raising flour
1 cup cake flour
1 tsp vanilla essence
l level tsp baking powder
Castor and icing sugar for sprinkling
Mix the egg, sugar, softened butter and oil together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla essence, mix. Add the flour and baking powder and mix well to form a dough.
Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick. Using a round cutter, cut out 18 bases and place them into muffin trays. Put 1 heaped tablespoon mincemeat mixture into each. Re-roll out the pastry, use a star cookie cutter to cut out 18 star and press them lightly on top of the mincemeat to form a seal.
Sprinkle with caster sugar. Bake mince pies for 15-20 mins in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (fan) until golden brown. Leave to cool before taking them from the muffin trays and dusting with icing sugar. Serve and enjoy 🙂
Triems – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
(Plain Loaf Cake)
Not all cakes needs strawberries or cream to enjoy. This plain loaf is very delicious and very popular amongst the Cape Malays. This loaf cake is usually served at large gatherings and is often included in a barakat (gift of food or cakes) at a gadat or thikr gathering. It’s usually made in loaf tins and sliced into thin slices. Triem is the Cape Malay version of a Madeira loaf.
Triems / Madeira Loaf
Makes 2 loafs
Ingredients:
125g soft butter or margarine
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 cup white sugar
6 large eggs
4 cups self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
Extra butter for greasing (approx. 2 tablespoons)
Add 1 of the following for variation
– 1 tsp fine cardamom powder, or
– 1 tsp vanilla essence and 1/2 cup dessicated coconut, or
– 1 Tbsp fine aniseed powder
This is my favourite go to recipe when making a chocolate cake. It is so easy to make, very versatile, taste good and can be decorated as simply or elaborately as you wish. This recipe makes a 20cm two layer round cake and can be doubled if a larger cake is required. Taste good with plain butter cream, whipped fresh cream, ganache or just about any frosting.
Ingredients:
3 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup cake flour
In a large mixing bowl and using an electric beater mix together the egg yolk, sugar, water and oil until the sugar has dissolved.
Add the dry ingredients and fold it into the wet ingredients.
Use a clean, dry bowl and whisk, whip the egg whites until stiff. Fold the stiff egg whites into the cake mixture. Divide into 2 well greased round (20cm) baking tins and bake in a preheated oven at 180C for approximately 15-20 minutes. Decorate with cream, butter cream, icing sugar, etc…
How To Make Ganache
200g good-quality dark chocolate , about 60% cocoa solids
284ml fresh cream
Method:
Pour the cream into a pan and heat until it is about to boil.
Take off the heat and pour it over the chocolate.
Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Allow ganache to cool before pouring over cakes as a glaze.
I made a number 1 birthday cake for my granddaughter, Aisha, who turned 1 last week. For this cake I made a double batch of my chocolate cake mixture. I drew a number 1 on a A4 paper, cut it out, then shaped the number 1 from there onto the cakes. With the left over cake pieces I made a chocolate trifle.
Chocolate Cake
To make the number 1 cake you will need to make 2 batches of chocolate cake mixture.
Ingredients for 1 cake:
3 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup cooking oil
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup cake flour
Method:
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a 25cm x 20cm baking tin. In a large mixing bowl and using an electric beater mix together the egg yolk, sugar, water and oil until the sugar has dissolved.
Add the dry ingredients and fold it into the wet ingredients.
Use a clean, dry bowl and whisk, whip the egg whites until stiff. Fold the stiff egg whites into the cake mixture. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared cake tin. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 15-20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Now mix and bake the second layer as above.
Cool the cakes on a cooling rack
Draw and cut out a number 1 on an A4 paper
Place the number 1 shape in the centre of the cake, secure with toothpicks. Cut the cake around the number 1
Sandwich the layers together with chocolate butter cream
To make the butter cream you will need
125g soft butter
1 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Enough milk to make it spreadable
Cream the butter until smooth. Add the icing sugar and cocoa powder mix together. Add drops of milk to make the mixture soft and spreadable. Sandwich the 2 layers together using the butter cream.
Spread ganache over the cake
To make the ganache you will need:
400g good quality chocolate
200ml fresh cream
Method:
Pour the cream into a pan and heat until it is about to boil.
Take off the heat and pour it over the chocolate.
Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Allow ganache to cool before pouring spreading over the cake.
Decorate with sweets or as you like
I used the left over cake pieces to make a chocolate trifle. I’ll share the recipe in my next post.
Triangle Cheesecake – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
One of the first cheesecake recipes I learned to make as a teenager many years ago and is still a favourite 🙂
Triangle Cheesecake
Ingredients:
125g butter
1 large egg
250g cream cheese
24 tennis biscuits
1 cup fresh cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
15 glace cherries
Flake chocolate to decorate
Foil
Method:
In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar together.
Add the egg, vanilla essence and cream cheese.
Place 3 rows of tennis biscuits on a piece of foil.
Place rows length wise side by side.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the biscuits.
Add a row of cherries down the centre.
Lift the foil from sides of the pyramid leaving the center biscuits to form a base, pinch the two sides together to close.
Leave to set in the fridge overnight.
Before serving, spread the cake with whipped cream and garnish with the chocolate.
Lemon Meringue – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
Lemon Meringue
This recipe makes a medium meringue and can easily be doubled if a large one is required. This one cuts into approximately 6 – 8 slices.
Crust:
½ packet tennis/marie/tea biscuits
100g butter, melted
Filling:
1 tin condensed milk
½ cup lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
3 extra large egg yolks
Topping:
3 extra large egg whites
1 Tbsp caster sugar
¼ tsp cream of tartar
Make the base by crushing the biscuits finely, mix with the melted butter. Lightly grease a flute pie dish or any other suitable dish. Pour the biscuit crumbs into the dish and press down firmly using the back of a spoon. Refrigerate until firm or leave in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes.
Meanwhile make the filling. Mix together the condensed milk, egg yolk, lemon juice and lemon rind in a medium mixing bowl. When the base has set pour the filling on top.
Using a clean mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff. Fold in the castor sugar and the cream of tartar. Pile the egg white on top of the filling. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for
15 – 20 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, leave to cool down completely and refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving.
Gheema / Beef Curry – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights, Salwaa Smith
Boneless beef cut into small cubes made into a curry and served with roti or white rice. Curry is almost always accompanied with atchar or sambals.
Gheema Curry
Ingredients:
3 onions finely chopped
2 ripe tomatoes grated
1/2 green and red pepper finely chopped
2 tsp garlic grated
2 tsp ginger grated
3 green chillies slit
3 bay leaves
3 pieces stick cinnamon
7 cardamom pods
5 allspice
10 curry leaves
2 tsp tomatoe paste
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 kg beef steak cut in small pieces
2 tbsp leaf masala / roasted masala
2 tsp salt or to taste
2 tsp tumeric
1 1/2 tsp whole coriander seeds
1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp whole fennel / bariship seeds
Few potatoes (optional), peeled and cut into quarters
Method
Braise chopped onion in oil until transparent or slightly brown
Add garlic, ginger, green, red pepper and braised a further 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add cardamom, allspice, stick cinnamon and bay leaves.
In another hot pan take all the whole spices, fennel, cumin and coriander and warm it in the pan for about 1-2 minutes take care not to burn these spices. Make it semi fine in a mortar and pestle and put aside. The aroma is beautiful.
Braise for a further 5 minutes then add salt and all the spices.
Add beef steak and cook for about 45 minutes until beefsteak are soft and tender adding little bit of water at a time.
Now add tomatoes and tomatoe paste as well as curry leaves give the pot a vigorous stir then add potatoes and cook until potatoes soft not forgetting to add little of water as needed and stir occasionally.
Serve with roti, white rice or flat bread or naan bread.
Use crayfish tails to make this lovely seafood curry or add whole crayfish (cleaned and cut). If you like a more filling seafood curry add chunks of stockfish fillets. You can of course use more or less chillies depending on your palate. Serve with boiled fragrant or basmati rice.
Alternatively follow the recipe to make a lovely crayfish curry potjie.
Crayfish Curry
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 kg crayfish tails, deveined and cut into 2 or 3 pieces depending on the size
3 tablespoons sunflower oil
1 teaspoon garam masala
4 tablespoons plain yoghurt
3 large onions (finely chopped)
2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
2 teaspoons coriander/koljana
2 teaspoons cumin/jeera
1 teaspoon turmeric/borrie
2 – 4 green chillies, deseeded and chopped
1 – 2 teaspoons red chilli powder
4 large cloves of garlic, grated finely
Dhanya leaves (finely chopped), optional
2 teaspoons salt or to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup water or as needed
Method:
Heat the oil in a pot and sauté onions on low heat till the onions are light brown in colour.
Mix in the grated garlic and green chillies. Fry till it turns golden-brown stirring all the time.
Add the tomato pieces and cook till the onions and tomatoes are soft, about 5 – 10 minutes. Add drops of water to prevent the onion mixture sticking to the bottom.
Now add all the spice powders except the garam masala and mix well to combine the spices with the onion mixture.
Gently stir in the crayfish tails, salt and the yoghurt.
Cook on high for about 5 minutes.
Add the water. Cover and allow it to simmer on low heat till the crayfish meat is cooked and tender about 15 minutes or until the shell of the crayfish turns pinkish. Stir every few minutes, add more water as needed, depending on the consistency you like the texture of your curry (thick or thin gravy/sauce) Stir in the garam masala and lemon juice. Garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Serve with freshly cooked basmati or fragrant rice.
Crayfish Curry
Follow the above recipe and make a lovely crayfish curry potjie!
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
Fish Breyani – Cape Malay Cooking & Other Delights – Salwaa Smith
From My Kitchen To Yours – keeping our heritage alive!
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.
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.
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.
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