• Joburg-based master baker Babette Kourelos of Babette’s Bread rises to the occasion and answers all our questions about making a starter (fresh home-made yeast) By Babette Kourelos of Babette’s Bread Photographs by Annalize Nel and Babette Kourelos Q1. How do I make a sourdough starter and approximately how much starter is required for a standard-sized loaf? A1. To make a standard-size loaf of bread, you will require between 50g and 100g of ripe and refreshed starter. You can make your own sourdough starter by mixing flour and water together and leaving the mixture to ferment. This mixture (which is a…

    How to make strawberry jam in a microwave It doesn’t have to take forever to make jam: if you’re pressed for time, the quickest and most efficient way is in the microwave. INGREDIENTS 500g fresh strawberries 80ml freshly squeezed lemon juice 400g sugar METHOD WASH and chop fresh strawberries. PLACE in a large, microwaveable dish and squeeze fresh lemon juice. MICROWAVE on high until the strawberries are just soft, about 5 minutes. REMOVE and stir in 400g sugar. MICROWAVE on high again, stopping and stirring occasionally, for a further 20 minutes. REMOVE from the microwave and leave to…

    Woolworths is starting a movement with their ever-increasing Chuckles range. The recently spotted Chuckles Mousse has hit the shelves and it’s sparked a variety of fan theories. One user going so far as to ask Woolworths if biltong is next for the Chuckles takeover. What makes “Chucklete Mousse” special Twitter user @kimberleydujour shared her thoughts on the branding, but otherwise this new chocolate dessert is just in time for our summer menus. It’s 95% chocolate malt mousse and 5% milk chocolate shavings – making it 100% a must-have for all the South African chocolate lovers. From milkshakes to smash celebration…

    Kitchen Cooking Hacks  Get clued up on the top tips and tricks from the Food&Home team Words by Kirsty Buchanan  Going nuts! What is granola without almonds, carrot cake without pecans or pad thai without peanuts? Using nuts in your food not only adds extra flavour, but also an exciting layer of textural crunch. To get the most out of raw nuts, make sure to roast them. This enhances their flavour by 10-fold, giving them much more value in whatever you’re creating. To roast them, spread out your nuts evenly on a baking tray and place in a 180ºC oven…

    Now that spring has well and truly sprung, let’s talk about some of the best seasonal produce to enjoy before we head into summer. Seasonal produce is tastier, cheaper and more environmentally-friendly as it supports local and reduces the need for imports and transportation. Below you can find some of our favourite spring fruits and veggies, and some recipe inspiration to go along with them! Seasonal Veggies to Enjoy this Spring Asparagus Packed with vitamins and minerals, and extra-delicious when roasted! Asparagus Fritters with Herb Salad Baby Marrow Did you know that baby marrow is considered a source of protein…

    Green barely salad Barley is an incredibly versatile ingredient to have in your pantry. It has a nutty flavour, chewy texture and is packed full of vitamins, minerals…