Chocolate filled Vetkoek

My staff decided to make Vetkoek today , Vetkoek is a South African Doughnut but normally filled with savoury mince, spread with butter or eaten with butter and jam, my favorite is butter and maple syrup. It is made by using a standard bread dough recipe, allowing it to rise and then deep frying balls of dough until golden then spread with your favorite filling.

They have been making Vetkoek often lately, maybe because its winter and this is a real satisfying treat warm and crisp that I decided to put a block of 80% cocoa chocolate in the middle and rolling it in cinnamon sugar, it was rich and delicious.

Vetkoek Recipe

Ingredients

6¾ cups Flour (all-purpose flour)
2 teaspoons Salt
2 tablespoons Sugar
1 packet Yeast
Lukewarm water
Cooking oil (for frying)

How To Make The Dough

• Mix sugar and yeast with some lukewarm water and leave for 5 minutes.
• Sift flour and salt.
• Pour yeast in flour and knead.
• Keep adding water and knead until you have a consistency like a bread dough.
• Leave the dough in the bowl and cover the bowl with a cloth. Leave the dough to rise for about 45 - 60 minutes until it is about double its original size.

How To Make The Vetkoek

• Pour the cooking oil into a frying pan to have about 1-1½ inches of oil in the pan. Heat the oil to about 180°C.
• Divide the dough into balls about the size of a tennis ball.
• Flatten the dough until it is about 1 inch thick and about the size of your palm.
• Place two or three pieces of the flattened dough at a time into the oil. Fry each side until golden brown.
• if you want to fill them then place a filling of your choice in the middle of the dough before frying, some options are : Marshmallows, banana, chocolate, bar one, cheese etc

Recipe and pictures copyright by Tamsyn Wells

Pronto Mamma and Crackers

My Brother met the owner of Pronto Mamma the other day and sampled some of her relishes, he is not really the biggest tomato fan so when he returned home almost addicted to the stuff I had to try it.
Pronto Mamma comes in four flavours original, olive, chilli and aubergine. It is slow roasted cherry tomatoes in a spicy vinaigrette sauce and with different herbs for the different flavours.
It can be used as a pasta sauce, dip, basting, dressing, relish, stuffing and garnish.
100 percent natural, preservative free, suitable for vegetarians and hand made. Refer to her website for delicious recipes, definitely a must try for your next dinner party or any time actually.

First we were eating the sauce on a freshly baked pretzel which was finished before I could take a picture then moved onto Woolworths wheat and gluten free crackers flavoured with oreganum, feta and olive oil. These are also really great and you definitely will not miss the gluten. Crispy and not too strong in flavour to complement any topping.

Article and pictures copyright by Tamsyn Wells

Bay Harbour Market

The Bay Harbour Market is one of my favorite markets since I went the other day , I absolutely love the relaxed vibe, live music and huge variety of foods to eat from, the choices are soups, salads, curries, gourmet sandwiches, paella to really name just a few... the ones I can remember but as well as an array of choices for dessert, like brownies, fudge, ice cream, tarts and drinks include beautifully fragranced tea's, ciders made from pear with no preservatives, coffee, wine, juices and champagne..... the only reason I left was because I was full and lazy from all the foods I sampled.

What really makes this market so special is the live music which you can check on their website and Facebook to see who will be playing there next. This market also has a great selection of decor items for your home as well as new and second hand clothing and jewelerry to keep you busy looking at each item so as not to miss a hidden gem. I also like the fact that all the packaging for the food was recycled as well as the communal seating with people of all ages gathering together.

I will definitely visit this market again, I am going to make plans to go one Friday as its open at night from 17:00 - 21:00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:30- 16:00  you can find it at 31 Harbour road, Hout Bay

Pictures and article Copyright by Tamsyn Wells