Cooking fresh food and drinking divine Cape wines in Melkbosstrand Cape Town
In this modern interpretation of Beef Bourguignon, we introduce a delightful twist to the classic French dish by incorporating guanciale and meaty sheep tails. Inspired by the rich flavours of traditional ingredients, this recipe offers a fusion of savoury notes and hearty textures. Slow-cooked, over an open fire, in a medley of red wine, aromatic herbs, and wholesome vegetables, this dish promises a comforting and indulgent dining experience.
Chicken Francese, or Chicken Française, stands as a beloved classic in Italian-American cuisine, renowned for its harmonious blend of tender chicken and a vibrant lemon-infused sauce. The distinguishing feature of Chicken Francese lies in its zestful and tangy sauce, crafted with lemons, chicken broth, and white wine, resulting in a lively and refreshing flavour profile. In this particular version, I’m presenting Chicken Francese atop a bed of guanciale mash, accompanied by crispy asparagus and sweet peppers for a delightful and well-rounded dining experience.
Pampanella Molisana is a traditional Italian dish from the Molise region. It is a pork dish flavored with paprika, garlic, and other seasonings. The pork is typically marinated, then slow-cooked or roasted to achieve tender and flavorful results.
Balancing between tradition and innovation, this dish proved to be truly exquisite. Grilled sheep tails create a flavorful ragù in a homemade pasta and then topped with a creamy béchamel and Parmesan cheese.
Pasta alla Gricia is a classic Roman pasta dish that exemplifies simplicity at its finest. This humble yet incredibly flavorful dish is a staple in the traditional cuisine of Rome, showcasing the region’s love for cured pork and aged cheese. With just a handful of ingredients, Pasta alla Gricia delivers a satisfying and comforting meal that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy.
This rigatoni with fennel sausage and pecorino and anchovy pesto dish is a recipe I got from Yotam Ottolenghi and can be found here.
Tagliata di manzo is an Italian beef fillet recipe traditionally served with only arugula (rocket) and cheese. This recipe enhances the dish by adding balsamic vinegar and thyme.
I recently went on a charcuterie course hosted by Richard Bosman and one of the sausages we made was an Italian sausage called Salsiccia. Being quite a hot day and looking for something light, I decided to use this sausage for this Italian sausage salad.
Ragù is an Italian meat-based sauce normally served with pasta. For the meat, I chose duck breasts and as for the pasta, I decided on pappardelle which is a large, very broad and flat pasta. The “ruggedness” of the pappardelle goes very well with the peasant-style ragù. To spruce things up a bit, I added aubergine and fava (broad) beans.
I think even the Italians will not all agree on the origin of puttanesca, but most will agree that it originated in Naples in the mid-20th century. “Puttana” which translates to “prostitute” led to the theory that the sauce was invented in one of the many “bordellos” in Naples. The twist, which I add to this dish, is the use of guanciale instead of olive oil.