My mate Jane has asked for recipes using chutney as she keeps getting bottles of the stuff as gifts (sorry about that!) and doesn’t know what to do with it. I’ve come up with loads of recipes as I make soooooo much chutney and (short of giving it to Jane) I had to come up with uses for it. Should you be doing nothing this festive season, you will find me at various Christmas markets around the Gers with piles of Barbie dolls clothes (don’t ask) and yes, you guessed, chutney…

Today’s recipe: Fried fish

I have been bad yet again and have only posted 3 times this month, oh dear. Seeing as I seem to have started 3 post in the 3rd month, I think I shall continue with this and post 4 in the 4th month, 5 in the 5th month, 6…I think you get it!

Today’s recipe: Crayfish / rock lobster with lemon butter

Now who wouldn’t want to wake up everyday to this glorious sight? This is the view from the lounge window of our great friends, Len and Joey, in Cape Town. Joerg stayed with them when he first moved to South Africa and was they became second parents to the both of us (how unlucky could they get!?). Those were the days when I was young and pretty instead of just “and”…

Today's recipe: MINCE / GROUND BEEF FOR CURRY BUNNY OR CURRY AND RICE

The next part of our South African adventure took place in Cape Town with Lars and another divine member of my extended family whom you have as yet not met, namely my wonderful sister-in-law, Catherine. She may no longer be married to my husband’s brother, and she may try running and hiding from me, but she will always be a part of the family along with our two beautiful nieces, Anna and Maya. That’s them in the photo with Table Mountain and its tablecloth in the background.

15 on Orange is a brand new 5 Star hotel in Cape Town city center (corner of Grey’s Pass and Orange Street) and we had breakfast there with the General Manager’s fiancé – what can I say…we know people. People who can get you an awesome breakfast. Entrée the beautiful, friendly, slightly crazy and divine, Cecile.

Today’s recipe: Marinade for meat or chicken.

A braai is similar to a barbeque in that bit involves cooking meat over flames outside. But that is where the similarity ends. A PROPER South African braai involves real wood, no charcoal or (heaven forbid) (gasp) gas. We want flames and carcinogenic black bits on our meat. The word can be difficult for foreigners to pronounce and it has been referred to as a Brie, which is just plain wrong!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braai

Today’s recipe: Copper Penny Salad / Carrot Salad

I had almost forgotten how beautiful South Africa is and I am so proud of how well the country has jelled together. Yes, there is still a high crime rate, but we are a unified SA so now all nationalities can’t pronounce their vowels! Racism is still rife in all ranks, but the communal cackling of nations going on in this bus doesn’t seem to be aware of it.

Today’s recipe: Elephant stew

In light of all the miserable weather in the northern hemisphere, I am almost ashamed to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the summer sunshine in the southern hemisphere. If it makes you feel any better, I have had a spot of bother with sunburn, food poisoning and hate mail from freezing Europeans…

My beloved baby sister, Alison, (who makes THE BEST Curried Minced Beef and Vetkoek in the world)her husband, Marius, and 2 children are now living in New Zealand which is a real bummer for me as I haven’t seen her in over 3 years. My wonderful niece and nephew, Bianca and Martius (who clearly take after me!) are also sorely missed by their crazy aunt. My darling sister suffered a bad stroke last year at the (very young) age of 38 (and yet another this week), but is pulling through with humour and charm. Headline: Strokes and sex changes. Read more to find out what this means….