recipe bring back fond family memories
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Jackie CameronWeekend WitnessMarch 2015TRANSCRIPT
6 EXPLORE Weekend Witness March 28, 2015
JACKIECAMERON
EVERY school needs alibrary — no less acookery school — andthat’s the reason I getexcited when I seeJackie Cameron’sSchool of Food andWine’s bookshelvesgrowing.
The collection includes recipe booksfrom family membersgoing back to greatgrandparents and including uncles and aunts, as well as alarge assortment of the “greatest hits”when it comes to top chefs and writers.
I often dream of being featured in theGuinness Book of Records for having themost extensive cookbook reference library.
I have recently been gifted cookbooks that come from unusual and special places. These now share pride ofplace in the school’s library among other very extraordinary books.
I look forward to paging though eachof these manuscripts when time allows,but for now I have asked each donorto explain why certain recipes are special to them.
First up was my Aunty Bee Berriman,who gave me her grandmother GladysBibbHarborth’s cookbooks.
They are a true delight and, of course,Auntie Bee remembers the good olddays when there was no hot water inhomes.
While waiting for water to boil forher and her brother’s bath, “Nan”would spoil them with freshly madecrumpets that were always served withbutter and apricot or strawberry jam.To ensure complete decadence, the rulewas to eat them as they popped out ofthe pan.
I also have some of Aunty Bee’smother, Daphne Reid’s cookbooks thatbring back fond memories. Daphne’sYoYo biscuits are out of this world, soI’m told. The story goes that there wasnot a person who could be satisfied withonly one. Bee remembers sitting on thekitchen counter, her mouth watering,while she watched with eager anticipation as these delicacies were being craft
ed with purposefulprecision.
Bee’s brother Kennan also had a favourite. It was the steampudding that took hisfancy. I look forwardto trying this recipebecause steamed pudsare very close to myheart, especially withthe advent of winter.
For me, food isabout recipes passedfrom generation togeneration becausethe memories trapped
within the dishes inspire me.Another surprise was when Trevor
van der Bijl of Steelite International, asupplier, popped by to see the school.He dropped off boxes of his brotherinlaw John Sutherland’s cookbooks.
As I paged through John’s collection,his enthusiasm for icing wedding cakes,as well as his devotion to food, shonethrough. Carefully written notes illustrate times gone by and the deep lovehe had for this craft.
I was told that John was not a professional cook, he simply took great pleasure in “treating” family and friends. Being in a kitchen came naturally to him,be it for a special party or for the daytoday cooking at home.
It pleased me to know that he wasvery methodical and always preparedwell in advance so that he could be theperfect host, as well as present a remarkable meal. All this was clear from thenotes he made in his recipe books.
For this perfectionist only the bestwas good enough. John did a Thai cooking course in the late nineties withChristina Martin, who trained me. Heenjoyed cooking and eating Thai foodso I have included his Thai GreenChicken Curry recipe.
It seems John was also a lover ofsteamed puddings so you may like totry his version of Malva pudding.
The final recipe of John’s is for hiscereal crunchies. I am going through acrunchie phase so am looking forwardto having a few of these in my cupboard.
In anticipation, I raise my glass tomany more recipes, many more happymeals and many more delicious memories.
Jackie Cameron.PHOTO: KAREN EDWARD’S PHOTOGRAPHY
Aunty Bee Berriman as a baby with her mum, Daphne Reid.PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Recipes bring back fond
Visit www.jackiecameron.co.za to find out more about Jackie Cameron’s chef range — men’s to come shortly, Jackie Cameron Cooks at Home and all her foodie adventures.
Get in touch with Jackie Cameron about her new school or with any foodrelated queries via email at [email protected]
You can also get the latest local foodie news by adding her as a friend on Facebook, following her on Twitter @jackie_cameron and on Instagram at jackiecameronincolour
Food styling and recipe development by Elaine Boshoff.All photos taken by Karen Edward’s Photography. Phone 082 441 7429 or
email [email protected]
DAPHNE’S YOYO BISCUITS(makes about 30, depending on size)
INGREDIENTS170 g cake flour170 g salted butter, soft57 g custard powder85 g castor sugar
METHOD• Mix all the ingredient together.• Roll out the biscuit dough onto a lightly floured surface, then cut into the desired shape. Place onto a greased baking tray.• Bake in a preheated oven of 180°C for about 15 minutes. • Allow to cool slightly and firm up on the baking tray, then transfer the biscuits carefully onto a cooling rack.
DAPHNE’S STEAM PUDDING (known as Fresh pudding)(makes one small tin)
INGREDIENTS57 g salted butter57 g white sugar1 whole egg115 g cake flour5 ml baking powder30 ml fullcream milk125 ml smooth apricot jam
METHOD• Beat the butter, sugar and egg together.• Add the flour, baking powder and milk, mixing all the ingredients well.• Take the steaming dish, grease well and then place the apricot jam at the bottom. Then place the steaming batter on top.• Cover the dish with foil, place the lid on, and place the dish in a pot of water, with the lid on. Bring the water to the boil then reduce to a simmer and allow to steam for one hour or until cooked. • When cooked, allow to cool slightly, then loosen the sides and place on your serving dish. Serve with custard straight away.
JOHN’S GREEN CHICKEN THAI CURRY (serves four)
INGREDIENTS30 ml olive oil30 ml Thai green curry paste1 large green chilli, sliced750 g chicken breast, cut into strips400 g sweet potato, peeled and finely diced12 g fresh ginger, grated1 tin coconut milk100 g fresh green beans, cut in half100 g green peppers, cut into strips30 ml fish sauceMETHOD• Heat the olive oil in a wok or heavy based pot.• Stir in the curry paste and chilli and fry for a few minutes.• Sear the chicken for about five minutes, do not brown.• Add the sweet potato, ginger and coconut milk and bring to a simmer.• Add the green beans, green pepper and fish sauce and allow to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.• Season well with freshly ground black pepper and Oryx salt.• Serve with your choice of noodles or rice and lots of fresh coriander.
March 28, 2015 Weekend Witness EXPLORE 7
SALLY JOHNSON
FOR years, I’ve been promising to note the last day of the Yellowbilled kite’s summer holiday, and at last I have succeeded.
March 11 was the last time we recorded one from our home in Howick and a couple of friends confirm that they too have not seen one since.
Maybe nearer the coast they lingera little longer, but ours have gone off to the equator where winter does not affect them and food is available abundantly.
We are lucky to have a breeding pair here in the Ambers and the sky is very empty without their daily aerobatics.
Palearctic migrants like the Barn swallows are also starting to think about their long journey back to their breeding grounds in Europe. The roof in front of us is often covered with swallows — maybe they are exchanging notes on routes and times of departure!
The roost near King Shaka Airportis the place to go if you want to witness 10s of thousands of the little birds gathering at dusk; one day soon they will deem it time to go.
For the past six weeks or so, theseswallows have been moulting their old feathers and growing new ones.
The flight and tail feathers are moulted one by one in sequence, with one falling out only when the previous one is reasonably wellgrown so that flight is not put at risk.
Body feathers, used to keep the bird warm and safe from incidental injury, are moulted in a random fashion. They also need to put on a little bit of weight to see them through bad times on the long journey. This little bird weighs an average of 20 g and can only put on a few extra, otherwise it would be unable to fly well.
Moulting at least once a year (some birds moult twice) means you will never see a bird that “looks old” — the grey hair of humans often gives our age away . Feathers are essential for flight and flight is essential for life, so they must be in tiptop condition most of the time.
The Greater and Lesser Striped Swallows are another group that will travel to the equatorial region for their winter holiday.
They breed here, building those delightful nests made from tiny mud pellets mixed with their very strong saliva, and when their family have fledged and parental duties are no longer called for, they too fly northwards to escape from our winter.
Amur falcons will also be leaving soon, some going as far as Russia — it seems crazy to travel that far and face so many dangers along the way, but it must be worth it or else they would surely have made other plans.
Some birds choose simply to movedownhill, from the icy top of the Berg to the milder Midlands, or to the coast. These are altitudinal migrants. Luckily, there are still many birds that have chosen to stay put all year round — the true South Africans!
A Yellowbilled kite.PHOTO: DON COWIE
The kitesare on their way north
JOHN’S CEREAL CRUNCHIES(makes about 80 biscuits)
INGREDIENTS250 g salted butter250 ml white sugar2 whole eggs5 ml vanilla essence500 ml Oats10 ml baking powder7,5 ml bicarbonate of soda500 ml cake flour500 ml desiccated coconut500 ml All Bran
METHOD• Cream the butter and sugar together.• Add the eggs and vanilla essence.• Mix in the remaining ingredients well.• Roll the mixture into small balls and place onto greased baking trays. Flatten them with a fork.• Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated oven of 180°C. When baked, remove from the tray and place on a cooling rack to cool. Store in airtight containers.
memories of family
GLADYS’S CRUMPET RECIPE(makes about 10 crumpets):
INGREDIENTS¾ cup cake flour¼ cup white sugar10 ml baking powder1 whole egg10 ml salted butter, melted80 ml fullcream milkCooking oil for frying
METHOD• Mix the flour, sugar and baking powder together.• Lightly whisk the egg and add the melted butter.
• Mix the egg and butter mixture into the dry ingredients.• Add the milk to the mixture. Do not allow the mixture to stand; shallow fry immediately.• In a frying pan, add 20 ml oil. You will be adding oil as needed, making sure not to make the crumpets oily.• Drop a tablespoon of the mixture into the hot pan. When bubbles appear, turn the crumpet over.• Do not crowd the crumpets in the pan; allow enough space to turn them over.• Cook them golden on both sides and serve straight away with whipped cream and maple syrup.
JOHN’S MALVA PUDDING(makes a twolitre dish)
INGREDIENTS100 ml white sugar30 g salted butter1 whole egg30 ml smooth apricot jam250 ml cake flour1 ml Oryx salt5 ml bicarbonate of soda125 ml fullcream milk20 ml brown vinegar
METHOD• Cream the sugar and butter together. Add the egg and beat until light and fluffy.• Beat in the jam.• Sift the flour and salt together.• Combine the bicarbonate of soda and milk together. Alternatively, add this with the flour to the egg mixture. • Lastly, add the vinegar.• Pour the mixture into a greased, deep twolitre ovenproof dish. • Pour over half
the sauce, cover the dish, and bake in a preheated oven of 180°C for 30 minutes.• After 30 minutes, pour over the remaining half of the sauce and bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the pudding is cooked. The sauce must still be bubbling around the sides.
SAUCEIngredients375 ml fresh cream200 ml white sugar125 g salted butter15 ml smooth apricot jam1 ml Oryx salt
METHOD• Mix all the ingredients together, bring to the boil, stirring all the time until the sugar is dissolved. • Allow to boil for two minutes, then turn off the heat and set aside.• Serve the malva pudding hot with thick cream or custard.