Monday 31 October 2011

Lettuce, turnip the beet


So Johannesburg offered up beautiful weather on Saturday and so we decided to venture off the new foodie market. The little sister to the wonderful Salt River Market in Cape Town (which is a favourite of ours) we were very excited that it had been finally brought to Jo'burg.
Going into "town" these days is not generally high on peoples' to do lists, so image our surprise when we turned just before the Nelson Mandela bridge into Juta Street and found ourselves in the middle of an urban revival.
Stylish iron baobabs line the few blocks up to the secure parking, and along the way we pass funky coffee shops, clothing shops and bits and bobs shops.
The parking is R10 as you enter. It's a block or so walk to where the market is situated. Hanging light bulbs (the big, old fashioned kind) and a wall of herbs greets you followed by some jazz and yummy smells.
The market is in a parking garage and has two levels. It is a real foodie market, lots of delicious eats including beautiful injera bread (which is a traditional Ethiopian bread) that was filled with about 9 savoury toppings.
There is honey, fresh flower, fresh organic veg and fruit, delicious macaroons which are flown up from Cape Town every Friday evening and delicious Buffalo Mozzarella from the Wellington area.
Upstairs we found artisan beers as well as freshly shucked oysters and bubbles. There is stylish clothing from local designers, made locally - local is leeker and supporting SA is always a good choice.
Visit them every Saturday!

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Girls' party baskets



Often we have to do something delicious for our friends, hen's part, divorce party or just because they need it so we did these fabulous baskets
Little bottles of well chilled bubbles with straws, baby Lindt chocolates and gift boxes (hat box shape) filled with nuts and dried fruit.
The ciabattas can have delicious filling - go wild:
  • Hot smoked salmon with horseradish mayo, cucumber and rocket
  • Ricotta, pesto, tomato and rocket
  • Lamb with roasted aubergine and red current jelly
  • Harissa grilled prawns yogurt dressing topped with baby spinach

Wrap the ciabatta in wax paper and place in the basket. A lovely personal touch is to write messages on plain linen napkins......

Enjoy!

Catnip mojito's




Any chance to have mojitos' is our motto, so when Barney (the kitten)and his two sisters' Thelma and Louise turned 1 year's old it was the perfect excuse for the gettygirls plus 1 (Thelma & Louise mom) to have a sushi and catnip mojito party - the kittens got sashimi and dried catnip and the girls sushi and mojito's.
the catnip mojito packs a punch and here is the recipe:
Catnip Mojito's - gettygirls style
250 ml Light Rum
Juice of 3 Lime 0r 2 lemons, but this is to taste so experiment
4-6 tsp Sugar or if you prefer badger friendly honey
Handful of Mint Sprigs & catnip - use the leaves and lightly bruise
Soda Water - about 200ml per person
How to:
Lightly muddle the mint & catnip and sugar / honey with a splash of soda water in a cocktail shaker until the sugar dissolve and you smell the mint
Squeeze the lime into the shaker, add rum and shake with ice
Strain over cracked ice in a highball glass and enjoy!