A little 'taste' ( excuse the pun) of Africa as we share with you how to cook an African staple food of 'pap'. This is one of the main foods eaten by the Tsonga communities around Nourish Eco Village, and if you come on a Shik Shack tour, or come spend a week or 2 volunteering you will almost certainly have pap for one of the meals.  Enjoy! 

So I found some over ripe bananas in the fridge and though that this is the perfect opportunity to bake a banana bread. (Delicious and so good for you: Bananas are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, Vitamin B6 , and vitamin C) So totally guilt-free nourishment! 

Pre-heat oven to 180 'Ç
​
You will need :
​1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
Mix these two ingredient till nice and creamy. 
                                                     Add 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
                                                     4 -6 bananas
                                                     2 eggs
                                                     2 cups flour
                                                      2 teaspoons baking powder
​                                                      1/2 teaspoon salt
​

Add 2 eggs (one by one) 
Mix in well
​

Mash the bananas.
I got my 3 year old son to do this as he loves helping in the kitchen. 

Add bananas to flour mixture.

​You can also add nuts and cinnamon if you like.

Grease a loaf  tin and pour the mixture in. 
I shared the mixture in two tins. The mixture is more that enough for two lovely breads.
​
Bake between 45 min and 1 hour. 

Now this is a yummy banana bread.
I was lucky to get a picture of this one as the first loaf that come out the oven was eaten within minutes. (I didn't stand a chance of take a photo before the family devoured it haha). 

Happy baking and enjoy!!!

​Stay safe and stay healthy. 

Today the family decided they want risotto (YIKES!) Now I don't know about all of you, but the thought of making risotto used to make me run in the opposite direction... Let me tell you, it's not as difficult  as it seems.  Right- hold on to your spatulas and here we go.

Ingredients:
Oil (coconut) to fry in 
 1 onion (finely chopped)
1 clove garlic
8 rashers bacon
250 g mushrooms
300g risotto rice 
1/2 cup white wine 
1-3 lt chicken stock
Parmesan cheese 

Heat up some oil in a frying pan and cook some onions and fresh garlic till soft and slightly transparent . (Little fact garlic is a close relative to onions , leeks and chives) 

Add the bacon . I used 8 rashers of streaky bacon, cut up into smaller bits.
​Stir constantly till bacon starts to crisp.

Add the (250g) mushrooms and cook for 5 minute or till they start to release their juices. 

​I used normal button mushrooms but chestnut or brown portabello mushrooms give risotto a nice rich flavor. 

Mushrooms are a little hard to get during lockdown so use what you can find.

Stir in the (300g) risotto rice/pasta or to give it a healthier option pearl barley.
Cook for 1 minute , stirring constantly so the oil coats the grains. 

Add 1/2 cup of white wine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
​
Enjoy the rest of the wine while the risotto is cooking. 

​Now start adding the (1 liter) chicken stock 1 cup at a time, simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. 
I used stock cubes dissolved in warm water but again you are welcome to make your own chicken stock.

Stir in Parmesan cheese and season to taste.
Remove from heat.
​
Serve and garnish with extra parmesan cheese. 
​
I made a little side salad to soothe my conscience.

​ENJOY!!!!

Today is the perfect weather for pancakes and I know it's always a hit with my family. 

We going to start by getting all our ingredients:
1. 2 cups (500G) of flour 
2. 1 teaspoon baking powder
3. 1 teaspoon white vinegar 
4. 3 eggs
5. 1/2 cup (125ml) oil
6. Salt
7. 3.5 cups (875 ml) water 

​

Step 1 : Mix the dry ingredients 
2 cups flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder
​salt 

Step 2 : mix the following together 
3 eggs 
1 teaspoon vinegar 
1/2 cup oil (125ml)

Let the fun begin : mix all the ingredient together 
Some of us are lucky and do this with an electric mixer or others do this the old fashion way ( elbow grease) 
(I don't like this part as I always end up with lumps but hang in there 
and whisk away ….) 
  Once you have the batter all mixed together let it rest (and you too ) for about 30 minutes. 

​Reward yourself with a cup of coffee or even a glass of wine :) 

You can add any filling to your pancakes . 
Here's a few ideas 
Savory mince 
Bacon and Cheese 
Spinach and feta 
or something sweet 
Banana and Caramel 
Melted chocolate and nuts 
Cinnamon Sugar ( like I did ) 
Play around have fun 

Enjoy baking these for your family!

Stay safe , Stay home