Under the Influence

Under the Influence is a gateway to buying great wine, experiencing it through tastings, unique wine offers and online videos. There has never been a better way to get under the influence of wine. They have an incredible tasting lineup for July. If you book early, a chaffeur will collect you and two friends in a brand new Lexus and drop you off at home later.

Western Cape Tastings

• Wednesday 30th June @ Roundhouse Restaurant, Cape Town / Under the Influence of Swartland / Exploring the unique wines of the exciting Swartland Region
• Wednesday 7th July @ Lexus, Cape Town / Bordeaux in South Africa Tasting / Exploring top Bordeaux style wines in South Africa
• Wednesday 14th July @ Roundhouse Restaurant, Cape Town / Burgundy in South Africa Tasting / Exploring top Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in South Africa
• Wednesday 21st July @ Lexus Helderburg, Somerset West / Under the Influence of Stellenbosch / Exploring the terroir and top wines of Stellenbosch
• Wednesday 28th July @ Roundhouse Restaurant, Cape Town / Exploring the wines of Jordan / Gary Jordan will take you through some of his current and vintage wines

Johannesburg Tastings

• Tuesday 27th July @ Lexus the Glen / Exploring the wines of Jordan / Gary Jordan will take you through some of his current and vintage wines
• Thursday 29th July @ Campbell House, Waverley / Blind vs Sighted Tasting / A tasting where you will learn how to rate wine both blind and sighted

You can keep up to date with Under the Influence via facebook or Twitter where pictures, notes, news and tasting are released daily. Website: http://www.undertheinfluence.co.za/ Contact: info@undertheinfluence.co.za

Is there anyone who doesn't like to eat a fluffy cheese souffle straight from the oven???

But, oh, the anxiety of making them! Well now you can relax because twice baked souffles can be made 2-3 days in advance and all you then do is turn them out onto a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes before serving them. They are extremely well behaved!!

The following recipe dispels any myths that souffles are hard to make. It's unlikely that these little classics will ever let you down.

Serves 4 as a Starter

Ingredients

250ml milk

2 cloves

1 onion, halved

3 black peppercorns

1 bay leaf

60g butter

30g self-raising flour

2 eggs, at room temperature, separated

125g assorted cheese of your choice

250ml cream

50g grated pamesan cheese

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius. Grease four 125ml ramekins. Put the milk, clove-studded onion, peppercorns and bay leaf in a saucepan and heat until just about to boil, then remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and cook over a medium heat for 1 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the milk, then return to the heat and stir constantly until the mixture boils and thickens. Simmer for 1 minute.

3. Transfer to a bowl, add the egg yolks and cheese and mix.

4. Beat the egg whites in a clean dry bowl with a balloon whisk until soft peaks form, then gently fold into the milk mixture. Divide among the ramekins and run your finger around the rim to help the souffles rise. Put the ramekins in a roasting tin with enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until puffed. Remove from the oven, cool then refrigerate for up to 2 days.

5. To serve, preheat the oven to 200 degrees celcius. Remove the souffles from the ramekins and place each in a shallow ovenproof dish. Pour the cream over the top, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.

If you are looking for exciting food events to fill up your diary during the upcoming winter months, then look no further. Here are some delectable and delightful occasions taking place all over South Africa to look forward to during the months of June and July!

Events in the Western Cape
Tulbagh - Saturday 26th June & Sunday 27th June 2010
Tulbagh Chistmas in Winter - If you would like to experience the true taste of a Winter Christmas, then put on your winter woolies and head to Tulbagh for the last weekend of June. The entire Village will be decorated with Christmas lights and trees. Local restaurants will be serving decadent and traditional Christmas dinners for this special occasion. There will also be arts and crafts for sale, jazz bands to entertain, cheese, wine and olive tastings throughout the weekend and a special 'Rock with Santa' Party will be hosted in the Village.

Stellenbosch - Thursday 01st July - Monday 5th July 2010
Stellenbosch Wine Festival - This annual wine festival plays host to thousands of local and international visitors. You will be given the opportunity to taste over 500 different wines whilst meeting the winemakers. Professional chefs will also be competing in various cooking competitions. Other highlights will include historic tours, food stalls, arts and crafts and children's entertainment areas.

Franschhoek - Saturday 17th July to Sunday 18th July 2010
Franshhoek Bastille Festival - South Africa's Gourmet Capital will once again celebrate its centuries-old French Huguenot heritage with a wonderful feast of food, wine and entertainment at its annual Bastille Festival. The theme of heavenly cuisine and fine wines is the order of the day. Whilst enjoying this gastronomic affair in style, as chefs and winemakers showcase Franschhoek's creme de la creme, you will also have the opportunity to frequent all the galleries, boutiques, crafts shops and food emporiums of Franschhoek.

Events in Gauteng
Pretoria - Wednesday 16th June - Saturday 26 June 2010
Nickel Winter Market - With over 200 stalls offering various arts and crafts, food and wine as well as a gorgeous little tea garden, this is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with friends. There is safe parking for your cars so you can shop all day long. The market opens from 09h00 - 17h00 daily, including Sundays. The market is in aid of people with disabilities so come and show your support.

Events in Kwazulu Natal
Ballito - Friday 02nd July - Sunday 04th July 2010
Ballito Prawn and Jazz Festival - this exciting new festival take place over the Mr Price Pro Surfing weekend. As the event name suggests, the main star of the show will be prawns. You will be able to enjoy them in any and every way - peri-peri, lemon butter, garlic, plain, curry, just to name a few. There will also be sports and music events, craft markets, stage entertainment, kids attractions as well as designer decor exhibits and food markets.

Durban - Saturday 10th July - Monday 12th July 2010
The Durban Chocolate Carnival - The Durban chocolate carnival is a dream for chocoholics! It promises a sensational lineup of exhibitors and entertainment with a chocolate deli and chefs cooking with chocolate. You will be able to find organic, exotic and basic chocolate, chocolate fountains, designer chocolate showpieces, chocolate candles and even chocolate makeup!
There will also be a number of decadent desserts on offer as well as a kiddies corner with activities such as chocolate painting and moulding to keep them entertained. A chocolate kitchen will be set up where live demonstrations will be taking place. The chocolate deli will have a hands on kitchen where chefs will be presenting tips on cooking with chocolate and local celebrities will be invited to join the chefs during some of the demonstrations. Definitely an event NOT to be missed so come and indulge in a bit of decadence!!!

The first issue of How to Cook, the new innovative Fair Lady Food Magazine has hit the shelves of CNA, Exclusive Books, Pick 'n Pay and Spar.

This issue embraces hearty winter warmers to feed your body and soul. You will find page upon page of your favourite mouth-watering one pot wonders such as curries, rich casseroles, roasts and soups.

Basic step-by-step illustrated recipes are also offered for first time cooks and sophisticated foodies which allows the creation of these delightful dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Various ranges of kitchen appliances such as stick blenders, slow cookers, pots and pressure cookers (just to name a few) were also put to the test in order to make your life much simpler when it comes to having fun in your kitchen.

For only R32.95 per copy, this magazine is an absolute steal and an absolute must - it's got something for everyone!

fun food facts...

*lemons contain more sugar than strawberries

*the onion is named after a Latin word meaning large pearl

*half of the world's population live on a staple diet of rice

*during a lifetime the average person eats about 35 tonnes of food

*the founder of mcdonald's has a bachelor degree in hamburgerology

*in france, people eat approximately 500,000,000 snails per year

*there are about 100,000 bacteria in one litre of drinking water

*cream is lighter than milk

*over 1,000 litres of beer are drunk in the house of commons each week

*frankfurter sausages were first created in china

*peanuts are used in the manufacture of dynamite

World Cup Kitchen Fever!

Crisp Chips

we LOVE this packaging!

source: http://kitsunenoir.com/

The best thing about a hangover...

This picture doesn't do this justice. Make it. Please.

SPANGLISH SANDWICH

Ingredients:

4 slices Bacon


2 slices Monterey Jack Cheese


2 slices Pain de Campagne, toasted

1 Tbsp Mayo


4 slices Tomato


2 leaves Butter lettuce


1 tsp Butter


1 ea Egg



Method:

• Cook the bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels

• Place sliced cheese on one side of toasted bread.
• Place under grill to melt.
• Spread mayo on other slice of bread top with bacon, sliced tomato, and lettuce

• On non-stick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Fry egg, turning over briefly when the bottom is set (keep yolk runny)

• Slide finished egg on top of lettuce, top with other slice of bread (cheese-side down genius)

• Place sandwich on plate and slice in half, letting yolk run down sandwich


how a bowl should be licked....

And from Fine Milk.....Comes Fine Cheese!

If you are a seriour lover of cheese..aka a "cheesehead"...then here is something quite unique that you just HAVE to try.

Gjetost (pronounced 'yet-oast') is a unique brown cheese from Norway with a fudge-like texture and a sweet caramel flavour.

It is made from a combination of milk, cream and whey which is slowly cooked
until the natural sugars are caramelised, giving the cheese its distinctive colour and taste.
It is then cooled and set into blocks.

Gjetost is best served in wafer thin slices and eaten on toast, bread or very thin crackers (melba toast). It also makes a great addition to a cheese board or melted into a variety of food dishes.

You can find it at most Pick 'n Pay outlets under the name of Ski Queen.

You won't know what you're missing until you've tried it!