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Newsletter 3: March 2008 |
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| Throw a Cocktail Party! |
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| Throw a fabulous Summer Cocktail Party for some of your friends. Why cook when you can get a professional chef / caterer to make mouth watering canapés for you? Visit our website to find a caterer near you and to get some canapé ideas. |
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| Healthy Food to your Door! Introducing Food Capers |
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Food Capers offers a comprehensive meal service for the health conscious individual who does not have the time to prepare meals. |
| In Johannesburg the meals are delivered to your doorstep, whether at home or at the office and will be available in Pretoria soon. A range of packages are available to suit every lifestyle. WE LOVE THIS IDEA ! |
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| Herb Q & A: Coriander |
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| Coriander is used widely in Asian, Oriental and Middle Eastern dishes. The leaves have a strong and earthy taste but lose their flavour quickly
once cooked, so it is best to add it just before serving to maintain the maximum
taste.
Fresh coriander leaves go well with chicken and pork dishes, such as stir fries and they also make an attractive garnish for savoury dishes. |
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| Cooking Holidays in France - A Romantic Adventure |
| Cook in France - A relaxed hands-on cooking holiday in Dordogne, France |
| If you'd love to cook and present dishes like the professionals, enhance your culinary repertoire and have a great time, why not go on a cooking holiday in the Dordogne, France. "Cook in France" offers a wide range of cooking courses (from 1 day courses to 5 day courses) where you learn a variety of skills and recipes in a structured, though informal and fun atmosphere. The courses are designed to cater for all skill levels, from keen amateur to budding professional, so you'll never feel out of place. Set in a magnificent converted barn in the Dordogne - the gastronomic heart of France - you'll be cooking some great dishes on your cooking holiday, from France and around the world. More Info |
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| Recipe to try: Chocolate Cupcakes (Yummy!) |
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup Cocoa (I used NOMU cocoa)
- 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar
- 1tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 180° and line cupcake trays with cupcake liners.
2. Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
3. Add the egg, water, buttermilk, oil and vanilla extract and mix with an electric beater for +- 3 minutes.
4. Using a 1/3 cup measure, scoop mixture into prepared cupcake trays.
BAKING TIME
180° for 18-20 minutes (to test if ready: prick cupcake with a toothpick and if it comes out clean with no mixture on, then take the cupcakes out the oven). Cool for at least 30 minutes before icing.
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| Entertaining
Q & A |
How can I wow my guests ?
Guests can usually be wowed by a lot of things it just depends what you are comfortable doing. If flowers are your thing, then create one or two modern flower arrangements in unusual vases and include flowers as part of the table setting. If you enjoy the food side of things, put some thought into how you are going to present each course, the colour combinations, garnishes as well as the crockery and cutlery to be used. You could serve starters in a mini glass vase then mains on a modern square plate and dessert (chocolate mousse for example) in a coffee mug. Variety and consistency are the key! Another way to wow your guests is through table and chair decor. You could drape feather tassles around each chair, use a white linen tablecloth, unique serviette rings, a floral centrepiece or table runner with candles! Whatever you do, try and stick to a certain colour scheme so that everything is flowing and easy on the eye. Now go and create some wow factor! |
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