The Chef and I

31/12/2025

Goodbye 2025 Hello 2026. Happy New Year.

01/11/2025

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

Ingredients (for the cake)
• All-purpose flour – 2½ cups (310g)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – ¾ cup (75g)
• Baking powder – 2 tsp
• Baking soda – 1 tsp
• Salt – ½ tsp
• Sugar – 2 cups (400g)
• Vegetable oil – 1 cup (240ml)
• Eggs – 3 large
• Buttermilk – 1 cup (240ml)
• Hot water or brewed coffee – 1 cup (240ml)
• Vanilla extract – 2 tsp

For the Chocolate Frosting
• Butter (soft) – 1 cup (225g)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – ¾ cup (75g)
• Icing sugar – 3½ cups (440g)
• Milk – 4–6 tbsp
• Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
• Pinch of salt

Instructions
Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, whisk sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Add the dry ingredients in two parts, alternating with buttermilk. Mix just until combined. Stir in the hot water or coffee for a glossy, smooth batter.

Divide batter evenly into three greased and lined 8-inch pans. Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool the layers completely.

For the frosting, beat butter until creamy, add cocoa powder, then gradually add icing sugar with milk until fluffy and spreadable. Mix in vanilla and salt.

Stack and frost each layer generously, covering the sides and top with rich chocolate frosting. Decorate with chocolate shavings or drizzled ganache if desired.

07/10/2025

04/10/2025

Easy 4-Ingredient Fudge Recipe 🍫
Ingredients:
4 cups white sugar
1 cup water
250g butter/margarine
1 can condensed milk
Instructions:
Melt butter, sugar, and water over low heat
Once melted, boil for 6 minutes - don't stir!
Add condensed milk, stir constantly until caramel colored (20-25 mins)
Pour into buttered pan, cut while warm
Must express something to keep getting my recipes.... Thank you.
Check pinned (C.o.ʍ.m.е.ո.τ) 💬👇

23/09/2025

DON PEDRO WITH A TWIST

Use ice cream and liqueur of your choice.
Chocolate liqueur with chocolate ice cream.
Strawberry liqueur with strawberry ice cream.

INGREDIENTS
3 cups ice cream
¼ cup liqueur
½ cup cream
1 flake chocolate broken up

INSTRUCTIONS
Place the ice cream a blender or a bowl
Add the liqueur and cream and mix together.
Pour the mixture into a cold wine glass.
Place chocolate on top.
Serve with a straw.

Lekker Braai
Sanelle

Image: tasty kitchen
Bron Lekker Braai RSA
Repost The Mad Matron

23/09/2025

Milk tart Condensed milk.

CRUST
800g (2 x 400g rolls) store-bought puff pastry
some milk

MILK PART FILLING

1 ℓ (4 k) full cream milk
397 g (1 tin) condensed milk
2 pieces of cinnamon
8 extra large eggs, separated
125 ml (½ k) water
187 ml (¾ cup) all-purpose flour
60 ml (4 tbsp) cornflour
125 ml (½ k) sugar
2.5 ml (½ t) salt
5 ml (1 t) vanilla essence
TOP LAYER
15 ml (1 tbsp) ground cinnamon

Method
Set oven to 250 °C.

Crust Grease two large tin plates with butter and line them with puff pastry. Prick bottom of dough with fork.

Use remaining puff pastry to form border (about 2 cm wide) on edge of tin plate.

Paint edge of tin plate with water and place strip of puff pastry on edge. Paint just the edge part with a little milk.

Place prepared tins in fridge while preparing filling.
Milk pie filling Heat milk, condensed milk and cinnamon together in a saucepan until warm.

Whisk egg yolks and water with a fork.

Mix effervescent flour, cornflour, sugar and salt in mixing bowl.
Add egg and water mixture to flour mixture and stir until soft dough forms.

When milk mixture reaches boiling point, stir in flour mixture and stir continuously until milk tart porridge begins to thicken.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla essence. Take out cinnamon sticks.

Beat egg whites with electric mixer until stiff peaks stage. Fold egg whites into milk tart porridge and mix well.

Spoon the milk tart porridge into cold crusts and bake for 12 minutes at 250 °C.
Turn the stove's heat down to 170 °C and bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Topping Let the milk tarts cool and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serve in slices.

Ctto

24/05/2025

Home made wors and the most delicious Biltong. 😋

26/04/2025

Koeksisters 🍯

This traditional South African treat brings back memories of festive gatherings and family celebrations, where the sweet and sticky goodness of koeksisters was always a highlight. These braided, syrup-soaked doughnuts are a true delight.

You Will Need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- Oil for frying

For the Syrup:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Preparation Steps:
1. Prepare the Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract (and cinnamon, if using), and let the syrup cool. Refrigerate until cold.
2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg and milk together. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead and Roll: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into strips approximately 4 inches long and 1 inch wide.
5. Shape the Koeksisters: Twist or braid the strips of dough and press the ends together to secure. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Fry the Koeksisters: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the koeksisters in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
7. Dip in Syrup: While still warm, dip the fried koeksisters into the cold syrup, ensuring they are well coated. Let them soak for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to drain excess syrup.

Serve: Enjoy these sweet, sticky treats with a cup of tea or coffee.

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Calorie Count per serving: 200 kcal | Serving Size: 20 koeksisters

Source: Recipes4all

22/04/2025

Milk Tart (Melktert)
Indulge in the creamy, custardy goodness of a traditional Milk Tart - a South African favorite that will transport your taste buds to a whole new level!

Ingredients:
- 9 oz pie crust
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Ground cinnamon, for dusting

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place pie crust in a 9-inch tart pan and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, heat the milk until just steaming (do not boil).
3. In a bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
4. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
5. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until thickened.
6. Pour the custard into the prepared pie crust and sprinkle with additional cinnamon.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Let it cool before refrigerating.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Calories: ~280 per serving | Servings: 8 | Storage Tips: Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve chilled.
🥧🥛🍮

19/04/2025

Bobotie
Experience a fusion of sweet and savory flavors in this traditional South African dish that's sure to tantalize your taste buds!

Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 slices white bread, soaked in milk
- 1 apple, grated
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 cup chutney
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sliced almonds for topping

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Squeeze excess milk from the bread and combine with the beef, onion, apple, raisins, curry powder, turmeric, and chutney. Mix well.
3. Press the mixture into the baking dish, smoothing the top.
4. Beat the eggs with milk, season with salt and pepper, and pour over the beef mixture.
5. Top with sliced almonds and bake for 45-50 minutes until set and golden.
6. Serve hot with rice, chutney, and a side of vegetables.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes | Calories: ~320 per serving | Servings: 6 | Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
🇿🇦🍛🍏