Ostrich Sosaties

Ostrich Sosaties

Sosaties are a traditional South African dish of meat (usually lamb or mutton) cooked on skewers. The term derives from sate (“skewered meat”) and saus (spicy sauce). It is of Cape Malay origin, used in Afrikaans, the primary language of the Cape Malays, and the word has gained greater circulation in South Africa. Marinated, cubed meat (usually lamb) is skewered and barbecued shish-kebab style.

So the task was set by Mediterranean Delicacies to create a locally inspired dish using their range of amazing products. You can go have a look at their website to see the full range. Given that South Africa has become this melting pot of diversity and culture, I had the option to go many ways. I could of gone very Cape Malay and made an amazing curry, or very retro and stuck to making stunning canapes and snacks, but nothing screams South Africa, like Braai…we even have a day set aside for it each year, it’s a staple in most households, and every one claims to do it best. The #AfroChic element to this, is that it’s a different take on “meat on a stick”, served with a gorgeous cous cous salad and bursting with flavor.

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Processed with VSCO with e1 preset

Using these four products from the range, two as a marinade, one as a dipping sauce and the other as part of the salad, you really don’t need loads of prep-time, its easy to pick up on your way home from work, or even to add to the trolley over the weekend, because you can find the range in allocated fridges in most supermarkets, including Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers and Spar.

The key element to making this a success is the marinade. You’ll have the earthy punch of coriander pesto, with the spicy kick of the chilli and garlic relish. Make the mix and generously coat your ostrich pieces, leaving it covered in the fridge for about 2 hours. (If you are pressed for time, half and hour would be cool, but have patience….make it amazing)

 

The cous cous salad can be made with rice, Bulgar wheat, or even pasta, but the addition of cous cous to this recipe makes it simple and easy!

Ok, so here is the run down.

  • Scroll to the end of this post and print the recipe
  • Go get all your ingredients
  • Light your fire, or grill.
  • Do your preparation
  • Put someone on Sosatie duty
  • Watch as your family and friends devour your yummy food!

Also, tag @medideli on social media so that they can see what you are making and creating with their awesome range!

Ostrich Sosaties

  • Servings: 7-8 sticks
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For the Sosaties

  • 500g of Ostrich cut into cubes
  • 2 TBSP of Coriander pesto
  • 2 tsp of Chilli and Garlic Relish
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Sosatie/Kebab sticks (if you are using wooden ones, soak them in water for half an hour, this prevents them burning on the flames)

For the salad

  • 2 cups of cooked Cous Cous (follow instructions on the box)
  • 1 jar of the Artichoke Salad, chopped
  • a handful of soft herbs, chopped (I used coriander and parsley)
  • 1 cup of baby roma tomatoes, cut
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Olive oil

To Serve

  • 1 tub of tzatziki
  • lemon wedges
  • extra coriander to garnish
  1. In a bowl, add your ostrich, and marinade mix, and season well with salt and pepper, as said before, leave aside to soak up all the yumminess. Once you’ve allowed marinading to happen, skewer the meat onto your prepared sticks and set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, add your cous cous, chopped artichoke salad, herbs, tomatoes and season well, with salt and pepper, and copious amounts of Olive oil.
  3. Once your fire/grill is ready, brush the sosaties with olive oil, and place them onto the grill. I gave mine about 5 minutes of the first side and then 3 once i flipped them, giving me the perfect medium.
  4. Prepare a big board or platter, layering your cous cous salad and topping them with the grilled Sosaties, topping those with tzatziki and fresh coriander stalks.
  5. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over all of this amazingness and serve immediately.

 

Sosatie Defintion from Wikipedia

 

 

 

Making life easier. 

Making life easier. 

I’ve heard it all before. “I don’t have time!” “I’m not a chef…” “It’s just too much effort”. Guys, let’s move on shall we. 

The Pantry Box has come to your rescue. A fool proof, “anyone can make this happen” service. With their amazing recipes, you get to be adventurous in the kitchen and bring out your “Gordon Ramsay” without breaking too much of a sweat, or throwing a pan.  

  

Each Monday, the guys over at Pantry Box, make sure that your order is delivered straight to your door. It’s easy enough, and takes your under ten minutes to figure out your choices which gives your four meals, the recipes for those meals, ALL the ingredients, that are all numbered to correspond with the recipe, also, they are all pre-packed, pre-weighed, separately sorted (are you getting the point?) making it SUPER EASY for you. (No more complaining!!)

   
 
The quality of the ingredients in the box, are awesome! The vegetables are fresh, and stay fresh, the meat and chicken are all vacuumed packed and keep well for the week in the fridge. 

  
The delivery happens in a box that is kept cool and the entire process can not be easier (see how many “easy” terms I’ve used) 

The meals are packed with flavour, the recipes are easy to follow and they have an amazing selection on their website. 

What I love most, is that the recipes are sooooooooo different and are going to give you that little inspiration that’s needed to fall inlove with the food you are cooking and eating! 

  
It will work well for couples or a family, and everyone can have an opportunity to cook a meal (albeit that they are not under 13 and in diapers), the boxes feed up to 6 people. 

Also, as a side note, the have amazing themed “Dinner Party” boxes which serve up to 12 people…EASY!!!!!!!!! 

Availabile in Jozi for now, it’s sure to become a hit! 

❤️🍴

A modern way 

A modern way 

Without being consciously aware of it, my blog seems to have a lot of vegetarian recipes!! 

I cook a lot of vegetarian dishes, because, as mentioned before, MY vegetarian is my boss, and yes, I call her MY vegetarian. As a chef, it’s almost a preprogrammed notion to “hate” vegetarians, or anyone that needs to alter our menus, but I’ve come to love cooking and experimenting with vegetarian food. 

We demand so much when it comes to our food, and everyday the demand seems to get bigger. Free range, organic, farm fresh, healthy, local, cheap and good for the planet! Gone are the days of overindulgence, we hardly use cream or cheese, and processed products are a thing of the past. We are trying to be a bit more aware of what we put into our system, and maintain a low carbon footprint. The importance of starting at the home base is also something that I continuously preach to people. Cook, cook and cook. Yes, I know, time, life, work, gym….but just take the time to cook. 

In steps Anna Jones. 

www.instagram.com/we_are_food

Her cookbook “A modern way to eat” has over 200 recipes – all based on vegetarianism. It’s a modern day take on all things amazing. She incorporates fresh, seasonal produce, into SUPER quick and inexpensive recipes. She’s worked for Jamie Oliver and has extensive experience as a chef, she now works as a stylist and food writer for newspapers, magazines, chefs, and a host of food companies. 

“A simply brilliant book – modern, clever, beautiful, and full of delicious recipes” 
Jamie Oliver 

Her book, breaks it down and takes your back to the “root” of everything, it’s cleverly laid out and reads beautifully, with loads of tips and special hacks, and list upon list of varieties of her favorites.  

In South Africa, we might not have all the ingredients that are readily available in London, but a lot of what she uses can be found in good health stores and also at fruit and vegetable suppliers.

“These recipes not only work, they are mind-blowingly delicious. So if you need more from your food, meals that are good for you, tasty, beautiful, and unapologetically meat-free, Anna’s recipes are affirming win win win!” 
Tom Herbert 

It is really an amazing book, not just for vegetarians, but for any one trying to maintain a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Also, it gives you loads of ideas for sides and interesting alternatives to what you might already be serving! 

  
❤️🍴

Pictured : Full of green fritters (made as a frittata), Charred corn, scrunched kale and sweet potato salad with a cashew, coriander and lime dressing. 


Watercress, leek and potato Soup. 

Watercress, leek and potato Soup. 


Mmmmmmmmmmm….it’s winter! This must be one of my favorite flavor combinations as far as soup goes! It’s creamy, filling and so tasty. The watercress also gives it a peppery tang. 

It’s a one pot wonder and in under an hour, you have a really tasty dish!

Watercress, leek and potato soup

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy peasy
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Ingredients 

50g of butter

100g of watercress

800g of washed and cut leeks

6 medium potatoes (about 1kg) peeled and cut into discs

2L of good quality vegetable stock
Salt and pepper

Method

In a pot, add the butter and leave to melt, wait until it starts to foam, add your leeks and watercress. Sauté slightly.

Now add your potatoes and give it a big stir. Allow it to sauté and keep stirring it to avoid it sticking to the base of the pot.

Add your stock and bring it up to the boil.

I then turn it down to a simmer, and in about 30 minutes your potatoes will be soft enough to blend the entire mix.

Add to a blender in batches and blend until smooth. I season with pink Himalayan salt and fresh black pepper.

A little tip to keep soups interesting is adding a pesto drizzle instead of cream when you serve it.

I made a quick sundried tomato and pea pesto to serve with this soup.

The base for pesto is always the same

  • Olive oil 
  • Parmesan 
  • Pine nuts (or blanched almonds) 
  • Garlic
  • A herb of choice, and 
  • Seasoning 

I find that you don’t need to use herbs, as pulses, like peas and edamame work really well in place of them. Sundried tomatoes take on an almost “meaty” texture, so it tricks your mind into thinking that the soup might be meat based!

Bon appetite ❤️🍴

Love to eat, eat to love. 

Love to eat, eat to love. 

 
I have an unapologetic attitude when it comes to my love of food. Not just making it, or following a recipe, but eating it.  

When people tell me “I forgot to eat” or “I was so busy” or the worst, when they pitch up for a dinner party, but go ape shit on all the snacks, because “I’ve just been so busy” …… hold up : does your stomach not talk to you? Do you not hear it growling and saying “feed me!!!!!” ????? 

I don’t have time for people that can’t find the time to eat, or who don’t find the time to cook a meal, be it for yourself or for a loved one. 

“Everywhere, no matter what your nationality, food is your emotional truth”  
Nigella Lawson 

Maybe it’s because I’m a chef, I can never get tired of cooking, and when someone is hungry, I’m all over that, “what do you want?” “what can I feed you??”  

My best memories of cooking food, are ones when I’ve done impromptu dishes for my brother and sister. Toasted sandwiches at 3am, and not just any toasted sandwiches, it’s fried egg, bacon, mature cheddar, tomatoes, onions, whole grain mustard….I was sleeping, he woke me up…he was hungry. Midnight rolls, which lead to a picnic on the bed, trying not to make a mess, because we should be sleeping! Nutella pancakes with fresh strawberries, late night nachos, or even crumpets with fresh cream and chocolate sauce.

I’ve cooked and made things from scratch or just reused last nights left overs and made something magical, not because I’m bragging, but because I was feeding someone or a group of people that I love. 

I laughed at a friend the other night who said that he had all the motivation to come home and make an amazing dinner for himself, he then landed up heating peas in the microwave and eating that : his justification “as long as the food is warm”, I couldn’t stop laughing at him, and was so shocked that he was ok with that. I suppose it’s all about saving time and in today’s work environment, we are lucky to come home with energy to talk, yet alone cook. 

“Food is the energy of the world, food drives everything” 
Barb Stuckey 

Freezer meals, ready made situations or take aways, lack flavor and everything that’s good about food, so I can understand if you are not wanting to “slave over a stove” …. but just take the time and cook, start from the begginging, use fresh produce and ingredients, and make something yummy for that special person or people! 

“Eating is one of those things that’s a human requirement, but it’s the one thing you have control over” 
Noah Fecks 

Recycling? 

Recycling? 



I’m referring to food. As in “I’m not going to make that dish again as I’ve made it before” 

The entire dish in the photo above, are all elements of dishes I’ve made before, brought together to make a good lunch. Call me lazy, I’ve had a hectic weekend of functions and running around, so coming into work on Monday was a bit of a mission. All in all though, I obviously need to make sure that my family (as in the ones I work for) get fed and their tummies are nice and full. 

I’ve posted the lentil and sweet potato patties before, this time I added, corn and chickpeas. The carrot salad is also a recipe I’ve used, gaucamole is universal, my kale pesto is always in the fridge, and chicken breasts are one of those items that most people have in their fridge or freezers. 

Being creative or reinventing recipes are all part of the cooking process. If something doesn’t work for you in a recipe, think of things that could replace it. (Without stuffing it up)

This can work for almost all recipes (besides baking!) and ingredients can be substituted accordingly! 

Food is about love, joy, passion…also to calm the stomach growls when you are hungry…obvious? 

So eat what you enjoy, what you love. Make things that excite you, cook something new, but don’t be embarrassed about eating your favorites! 

Above all, just have fun with it. 

❤️🍴