SouthAfrica - Articles and Posts from Slashfood

Posts with tag SouthAfrica

'The Soul of a New Cuisine' - Cookbook Spotlight

Posted Jun 12th 2009 2:00PM by Sara Bonisteel
Filed under: Cookbook Spotlight

'The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa'
By Marcus Samuelsson
Photos by Gediyon Kifle
Wiley -- 2006
Buy it on Amazon

Known for his inventive Swedish creations at Aquavit, Marcus Samuelsson tackles the food of his birth continent in "Soul of a New Cuisine." (Born in Ethiopia in 1970, Samuelsson and his sister were orphaned and adopted by a Swedish couple.)

While this is a cookbook, "Soul of a New Cuisine" acts more like a coffee table centerpiece with lush photos of markets and Samuelsson on his adventures to discover African cuisines.

Samuelsson writes, "from the start [I] had a clear idea that this book would not be a definitive encyclopedia of African cooking. Rather, this cookbook is a reflection of the Africa I've seen, experienced and appreciated."

What we tested and whether its worth buying after the jump.

Continue reading 'The Soul of a New Cuisine' - Cookbook Spotlight

South Africa - Wine of the Week

Posted May 11th 2009 3:00PM by Gretchen Roberts
Filed under: Wine, South Africa, Wine of the Week

Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Taking on an entire country in a single post seems foolhardy at best, but here at Slashfood we're all about showcasing lip-smacking deals, and South African wine falls squarely into that category.

I'm not the only one who thinks so: Wine Spectator featured South Africa in its April 30 issue as one of five countries producing delicious wine for the cost-conscious imbiber. Wine Business Monthly published a two-part report on South African wine, whose exports to the U.S. have gone from next to nothing five years ago to a million cases last year.

More South Africa - Wine of the Week after the jump.

Continue reading South Africa - Wine of the Week

Dine Out to Celebrate South African Freedom Day

Posted Apr 27th 2009 5:00PM by Alex Van Buren
Filed under: South Africa, Celebrations, Holidays

Though the words "African food" might conjure spongy, expanding-in-the-tummy Ethiopian bread or the heavy bobotie that resembles a creamier version of moussaka, it's not all like that.

Indeed, gaze upon the malva above: Similar to a milky tres leches cake-- sweet, with a puddle of creme anglaise -- the traditional South African dessert made at Brooklyn, New York's Madiba is every bit as delectable as it looks. It's a fine way to raise a fork to South Africa's Freedom Day -- their 15th anniversary of democratic voting.

Other eateries featuring the country's cuisine include Los Angeles' sporty mini-chain Springbok and Atlanta's sexy-looking 10 Degrees South, where diners indulge in what one reviewer declared "perfectly spiced ostrich." So although that bird -- perfectly-spiced or otherwise -- may not be what you're craving this spring, who could resist a slice of this cake? Not us.

Rooibos 101 - South Africa's red tea

Posted Jul 4th 2008 12:01PM by Brandice Schnabel
Filed under: Teas, South Africa, Did you know?

There are a lot of ways that tea blenders use rooibos (sometimes called "red tea") these days, whether it's in a straight herbal tea (tisane) or blended with real teas to add flavor to the blend. A quick glance at Wikipedia shows that one common way to describe its flavor is "sweet (without sugar added) and slightly nutty" and I find this to be true. Sometimes I find myself mistaking a rooibos flavor for adding vanilla in a blend, only slightest earthier.

What is rooibos? When I started STeaP with my co-host Joe, I asked the same question of Joe and was told that it's a tree bark, but have since learned that rooibos is a bush-like plant that belongs to the legume family. It's native to South Africa, specifically the Western Cape region. Rooibos is completely caffeine-free, so it's a healthy alternative for those who avoid caffeine.

Preparation of a straight rooibos is the same as that of a black tea (boiling water temperature, additives such as milk and sugar can add to the experience), and processing of the rooibos plant is also similar, involving oxidation (which is often inaccurately referred to by the tea world as "fermentation"). There is an unoxidized form of rooibos (commonly called "green rooibos" as opposed to red), but it's less commonly used and more expensive than the typical "red tea." When preparing a tea with rooibos, remember to keep in mind that rooibos is very, very fine and dust can often slip through tea balls and other infusers. Use a very fine mesh infuser to make your rooibos, such as the Finum brewing basket.

Rooibos is used by almost every tea company I frequent, many creating blends that focus on the rooibos as a primary component, while some add rooibos more as an added flavor to a traditional tea. I've seen very creative uses, such as rooibos chai, rooibos earl grey, and in South Africa, there is a company that has patented a red espresso. I personally recommend Adagio's Foxtrot tea (it's actually a tisane), which is my favorite way to enjoy rooibos. What's your favorite way to enjoy rooibos?

The Boston Globe in 60 seconds: Donuts, in-demand bartenders and dangerously delicious goat cheese

Posted Jun 23rd 2008 10:05AM by Ellen Slattery
Filed under: Newspapers, In Sixty Seconds

Read about one of Boston's most in-demand bartenders
Delicious, creamy local goat cheese makes for great croquettes, squash blossoms, tomato soup...
Want to make our own cheese? Feeling frustrated? Try a kit
Doughnut Plant has an unbelievable selection of sweet, fluffy pastries, managing to thrive without the hype that so many competitors rely upon
And if you can't make it to Doughnut Plant, try your hand at making your own orbs of sugary goodness
A Boston couple becomes the first U.S. business to exclusively import African wine made by indigenous producers
Find out how the owners of one Rhode Island-based grocery store can afford to keep prices so low

Recycle tea bags, make art

Posted Feb 29th 2008 12:01PM by Shayna Glick
Filed under: Teas, Newspapers, South Africa

We've been seeing a lot of stories lately about art made from recycled packaging. We've also seen a few posts about food art and a lot about tea.
In this yesterday's New York Times, I found an article to tie them all together.

Oh how I love my tea, but this group of artists in Capetown, South Africa would rather have the tea bags, thank you. The group, called Original T-bag Designs, collects used tea bags, which turn dry and brown. The artists can then paint them and turn them into any number of things from coasters and magnets to original artwork.

The artists group does well enough selling the magnets and such. Their real hope, though, is to put together a traveling show of artwork similar to the traveling quilts from Gees Bend, Alabama. I wish them the best of luck. And if you want to donate tea bags, you can go to the website for contact information.

Peppadews aren't just tasty, they're socially responsible

Posted Dec 7th 2006 6:35PM by Jonathan M. Forester
Filed under: Farming, Business, Vegetables, South Africa, Did you know?, Condiments

Peppadews, those tasty little sweet hot peppers from South Africa are grown and made by a socially responsible company, one who cares for their fellow country folk. Peppadew International, whose head office is located in Johannesburg, is committed to the uplifting of the communities in which it is located and a quarter of its contracted farmers come from previously disadvantaged communities. The company is dedicated to training and development of its employees to uplift and empower them so they can better support themselves and their families.

Peppadew Internationals main factory and farming operations are located in the northeast part of South Africa where it borders with Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique. They have 7-8 processing buildings in the town of Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province near Kruger National Park. This area of South Africa is very impoverished, with a unemployment rate of at least 46%, but Peppadew is creating social opportunities for thousands of people. They employ 3,000 South Africans full time and another 5,000 are hired as indirect, seasonal staff working on the farms, growing and harvesting the peppers. Peppadew peppers are very labor intensive and require around 11 workers per hectare to produce them.

Continue reading Peppadews aren't just tasty, they're socially responsible

South African grows gigantic onion

Posted Nov 13th 2006 1:30PM by Joe DiStefano
Filed under: Vegetables, Food Oddities, South Africa, Super Size Me

When I was a kid I was told to eat my vegetables so I'd grow up to be nice and strong. Apparently feeding vegetables to veggies makes them, too, quite robust. Or so a South African chap found when he used organic fertilizer that he makes from vegetable peelings to help grow a ginormous onion.

At just under 3 pounds the onion weighs 10 times more than the, er, garden variety. Henry Carr of Port Elizabeth has been growing vegetables for almost 40 years. When asked what he planned to do with his humongous onion, Carr said he'll soon be making some of his city's largest onion rings. Perhaps he'll want to don a pair of onion goggles when he prepares his oversized bar snack.

South African Specialities Store

Posted Jul 29th 2006 6:33PM by Andrew Barrow
Filed under: British Isles, Stores & Shopping, South Africa

I wonder if my good friend Jeanne (aka Cooksister) knows about this online shop? It specialises in all things South African, and readers of her blog will know, that Jeanne hails from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

There is a fascinating array of unique products available. Biltong of course, although this is quite widely available in the UK now as Waitrose stocks an excellent version, and various sizes of authentic Braai's (barbecue equipment) and potjie pots. The product range is actually very large with tinned products aplenty of brands I assume are famous in South Africa but exotic and different here in the UK.

Of particular interest are the range of authentic braai spice mixes. Oh and they import a beer from Mozambique too! I think they only sell to the UK.

Waitrose Foundation supports SA citrus growers

Posted May 31st 2006 11:04AM by Andrew Barrow
Filed under: British Isles, Farming, Business, Fruit, South Africa

Waitrose has got to be one of the most well-fare orientated supermarkets in the UK. The up-market chain has long supported its food producers by ploughing a sizeable proportion of its profits back into their communities.

Fruit growers in South Africa for example, have just seen more than £330,000 (US$614,000) and hope to receive a further £500,000 given to fund various educational projects. These donations come from the the Waitrose Foundation, which operates as a partnership between the supermarket and members of the supply chain.was established as a long-term response to South Africa's social and economic problems

Around 25 educational schemes have already been launched on 10 citrus farms across South Africa. These provide support and training in literacy and IT, as well as classes in craft work to enable farm workers to earn an income out of season. The citrus season is only six months long so it is vital to teach new skills to the growers.

#	Blogger	Posts	Cmts
1	Slashfood Editor	47	0
2	Alexa Weibel	36	2
3	Sarah LeTrent	34	1
4	Hanna Raskin	22	0
5	Monika Bartyzel	22	0
6	Sara Bonisteel	16	0
7	Emily Farris	11	0
8	Jennifer Lawinski	11	0
9	Jennifer Iserloh	9	0
10	Lisa Schweitzer	9	0
11	Kat Kinsman	8	2
12	Michael Thomas Hastings	8	0
13	Mike Pomranz	5	0
14	Joshua M. Bernstein	4	2
15	Erin Meister	4	0
16	Jose Ralat Maldonado	4	1
17	Max Shrem	4	0
18	LeNell Smothers	3	0
19	John Devore	3	0
20	David Koeppel	2	0

Reviews: What's New This Week Jim Carrey's "A Christmas Carol" Creepy in a Good Way Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish!	Jon Gosselin Hits the Yoga Mat World Run Day 2009 is This Sunday! Mariah Carey Flaunts A Fuller Figure
Cameron Diaz Pulls a Janice Dickinson Victoria's Secret Angels Update - Are There Five New Winged Wonders? Beyoncé and Katy Perry Rock Garter Belts at MTV Europe Awards	Can 2022 be the 'Year of the Tiger' if the Tigers are all Gone? Eco-Beat, 11/5 Does Humane Veal Exist?
Ellen Degeneres Dances Her Way to Real Estate Riches Get the Look for Less: House Beautiful Foyer Paint Trends: Predicting Next Year's Hottest Colors	Freaky Ferrets; Bionic Bowser The Penguin and the Zoo-Keeper: A Love Story Dog Bone Recipes

'The Soul of a New Cuisine' - Cookbook Spotlight

South Africa - Wine of the Week

Dine Out to Celebrate South African Freedom Day

Rooibos 101 - South Africa's red tea

The Boston Globe in 60 seconds: Donuts, in-demand bartenders and dangerously delicious goat cheese

Recycle tea bags, make art

Peppadews aren't just tasty, they're socially responsible

South African grows gigantic onion

South African Specialities Store

Waitrose Foundation supports SA citrus growers

Tip of the Day

Slashfood Features

RESOURCES

Featured Stories

Slashfood bloggers (30 days)

Most Commented On (60 days)

Updates From

Sites We Love