Renovating a home for a farm manager
A client in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, recently asked me for additions to an existing 6m-diameter thatched bedsit to accommodate a new farm manager and his family.
Crisp shortbread biscuits
With the possible exception of a chocolate brownie, nothing accompanies tea or coffee better than a crisp shortbread biscuit.
Bacon and dried fruit pizza
Staunch artisanal chefs and sourdough bakers amongst our readers will object, but the simple fact is this: if supermarkets offer frozen pizza bases for sale, why attempt to make them at home?
National parks for all seasons!
Experience South Africa’s national parks when they are at their best this coming year, says Taryn Arnott van Jaarsveld and René de Klerk.
Delicious chicken ragu
This combination of ingredients with pasta makes a fine supper for four to five people. And no, it’s not just another version of spaghetti bolonaise…
Pioneer style, modern comfort retirement home
Here is a sketch of a three-bedroom traditional exterior and conventional interior retirement home, with open-plan areas and en-suite bathrooms.
Pork chops with white wine
A pork chop – and may all my ancestors kindly look the other way – is a marvellous thing. And when simmered in white wine and a tangy Dijon mustard sauce, it becomes a special dish at a dinner for two.
Calamari and green bean salad
Calamari – squid to our friends in the marine biology sector – is a wonderful addition to one’s seafood repertoire. Easy to cook, a marvel to present and a delight to eat, this calamari salad is a true classic. Try it and achieve star status amongst your cooking competitors.
Heavenly risotto with smoked mozarella
Risotto, a hearty rice-based dish, is also a delicious accompaniment to meat, fish or poultry. Add it to your repertoire of gourmet dishes.
Tuscan-styled home: space, comfort and practicality
A Tuscan-styled three bedroom home design on a farm in the North West.
Food and accommodation: what to provide and how to market it
In the final article of this four-part series, Julinda Schroeder examines what to take into account when planning pricing, food preparation, accommodation, and a marketing strategy. Some of these have legal requirements; all require a systematic approach and attention to detail.
Adapted Zulu-beehive design
One of our readers from Zambia requested a Zulu-style farmhouse design, with three bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. Here are the sketches.
Hot banana split with rum and vanilla
Some rococo banana splits are overwhelmed by ice cream, fudge caramel and even crushed nuts. But in the spirit of good food with minimal effort, we have the Farmer’s Weekly Christmas pudding, designed to hit all your taste buds.
Buttered turkey and roast vegetables
Christmas is full of tradition, and people everywhere recognise the end of the year as a festival. We put together a delicious buttered turkey and roast vegetables recipe to try for Christmas lunch.
Double-storey home for two families
I received a request from Daniel, in the Nigel area, for a sketch of a double-storey home to accommodate two families.
Roast chicken portions with zesty Italian lemon sauce
It’s no secret: lemon and chicken in combination appear in a wide variety of international cuisines. Here’s an Italian- influenced classic to add to your repertoire of fine home cooking.
A simple yet stylish home
Jonno sketches a rough layout for a simple yet stylish home. The design is cost-effective, which allows for further renovations at a later stage.
Gnocchi in a prawn & tomato sauce
The second-best thing you can do with a potato is turn it into gnocchi. Since you ask, the best thing is deep-fried, slap chips. Sticking with gnocchi means you have an unexpected but welcome dish for your guests, easy to dress up with a highly flavoured sauce.
An off-grid, private ocean view
Mark and Estelle bought a private development in Port Edward, and with the help of Jonno, require a three-bedroom home facing the ocean.
Tuna and egg salad
There are times when the harassed lunch-maker wants something quick and easy that isn’t a chunk of ham between two slices of buttered bread. If you are this person, here’s the way to go.
