such a great idea! Will definitely implement capitalized rubber band in my kitchen as of today

ooh I just saw your post was over a month ago.. but in case this is in time: don't worry, there should be lots of options. Not sure of high-end places to recommend (although I am sure they'll all have good veggie options), but good low-key (& cost) places to stop by would include Little Ethiopia, in central cape town (can't remember the street address, but you can google) and a very low key / take away place in rondebosch called maharaj (behind Pick n Pay) - great food. The burger place on long street most people would recommend to visitors - Royale- also has pretty good veggie burgers.

makes sense! will do this in the future - the reason I sometimes undercook them is I've added other things to the pan already that can't take the heat.

Thanks for the thoughts - yes it was actually a sub for black - I like the flavour of the yellow (generally) in that instance - in an indian influenced recipe
Perhaps I'll do a taste test on pre-popped, popped, and post-popped sometime when I have time on my hands, just to make sure. Seeing as you've suggested it as well, suspect undercooked is the winner though

Landjager! (the sausage, I'm guessing) winner.

oh and a few more things - apologies if there are repeats
- you can buy small bags of coconut milk powder - great if you take some curry pastes/ ingredients
-red lentils cook fast and are delicious with just some stock, but you can add anything to them
-if you;re struggling for the sauce element, a few 'instant' type sauce mixes are worth having. Super light & space-saving, and you can add real food (like dried sausages/ mushrooms etc) to them to make them more tasty

We often use take couscous - great quick fix with anything. Quinoa also a good one. Otherwise as people have mentioned - dried tomatoes and mushrooms are a great addition. And don't be scared to take fresh things for the first while - up to about 5 days, you can get away with fresh tomatoes, things like courgettes etc.
I wouldn't take anything like dried beans unless your fuel supply is limitless - not worth the time & fuel to prep.
Salami is also great - can add it to pasta sauces etc.
Ooh and don't forget spices & curry powder - small & lightweight but can make all the difference!

Hi all,

can someone clear this up for me - when cooking with mustard seeds (had this happen with yellow and black ones), mostly they're delicious, but every now and then they come out horribly bitter.

Any one know why? I have 2 suspects:
1) I didn't fry them long enough first, or
2) the seeds I used were old or something (although they shouldn't be..)

be nice to know for future ref

thanks!

Yeah have tried something very similar to that & it didn;t match up - will give it a go though, thanks. Suspect they have some secret ingredient..

Hi all,

For some reason it seems to be difficult to find a recipe for prego sauce - perhaps because it comes too easily bottled in the US? But if there's anyone with Portuguese ancestry and a family recipe, please pass it along!
I'm from South Africa, and we have a local business (Chippies, if anyone's familiar) that makes the most amazing sauce, and I've never even come close to replicating it, sadly. I'd hate to think if I move i will never again experience it's deliciousness.
Any help appreciated!

Exactly! At least here it's getting easier and easier to find the real deal - global village here we come (hopefully). Otherwise, it's not a bad excuse to travel :)

I think no 4 is a biggy -not knowing how something was intended to taste bugs me a lot if I'm making something new. I have no problem changing it up once I know, but I like tasting something the 'proper' way once at least so I know what to aim at, or not, depending.
It does make eating out kinda fun though, because it turns into research - tracking down & sampling an unknown :)

Ooh nooo. Hate this - although it doesn't reflect on their cooking abilities so much as that their ikk-o-meter needs recalibrating. Pet owners, is this something you just get used to? Seems unlikely. If you do allow this, all your friends think it's gross - you should know.

Haha. I guess this is partly related to us all being accustomed to our own space/ stuff, but I've been caught out quite a few times in the past when cooking at friends houses (communal dinner prep is common) by assuming some ingredient/ utensil is a basic found in everyone's kitchen - lonely, dusty 'mixed herbs' on the spice rack is not a good sign... Even garlic! Soy sauce! I mean, really? What do you eat?

Ooh this sounds great, will definitely give it a go. Just got your masala recipe off another thread - thanks! Been thinking of making my own for a while, maybe this can be the test piece :)

Thanks Liv - would love the leek pasta one if you have it to hand

re Strandloper - think it's good for the experience rather than the food - which wasn't bad, just wasn't particularly out of the ordinary (only been the once). The setting & vibe they go for are unusual though, so it's still a good one to put on the list I think, if you have the time.

Was reminded of another over the weekend & thought I’d top up my previous post (this will all be mid-low range on the price & fancy-pantsness spectrum). 2 spots in Vredehoek that are good bets are the Sidewalk Café (good for brunch or dinner) & Carlyles (pizza & other), both on Derry street. If you’re after sushi, Minato on Buiten street (close to Long st) is great – very popular, very low key on everything but the food. Oh also Royale on Long street is a very popular spot famous for their burgers.

Also worth a visit is the neighbourgoods market on a Saturday in Woodstock – although it gets VEry full of beautiful people, so aim to be there at 9, otherwise is a bit unbearable. Lots of delicious food & interesting local design vibe. Stellenbosch also has a good market apparently, but haven’t been myself.

Speaking of, if you’re looking to shell out, Rust en Vrede in Stellenbosch is pretty much as good as it gets, or so I hear- still saving up to go. Otherwise generally cruising around various wine farms perhaps with a picnic lunch is a very good way to spend a half day or so.

Mm just made myself hungry.

There are so many restaurants in Cape Town, but as you asked, these are ones I'd direct friends to if they were visiting.

Which is probably why it's severely over-fished and a red-listed no-sale species in South Africa. If you see it on a menu, report the restaurant to the local branch of WWF. Bummer huh?

Heyo,
I'm not much help with the high-end places, but have a read here for reviews of a lot of the best known/loved places in CT - http://www.relax-with-dax.co.za/
Ttry cest la vie bakery in Kalk bay for good bread/ breakfast option. Or Olympia Cafe (also Kalk Bay). Actually best have a browse at above blog. Should help you find what you're after
Hope it's a good visit!

Spanakpoita ftw! - that's been one of our few positive reviews on vegetarian night :) will definitely revisit.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Would love the potato pancake & lasagne recipes if you're happy to pass them on. Sounds delish :)

Ooh thank you so much! So many good ideas here - cannot wait to try them out. The wild mushroom lasagne for one sounds amazing. Perhaps eggplant parm will be next on the list - never had it so was hesitant to try, but if its a favourite.. And thanks for the lo mein instructions - watch out family, here it comes!
:)

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I are gently trying to introduce his family to vegetarian food. After a few moths though, we're running a bit low on inspiration. Problem is they eat fairly unadventurously, and are of the belief that something like salad/ soup does not a proper meal make (no matter what you throw in there), so a lot of things I'd normally make are out/ not popular.

If anyone has simple,go-to veggie recipes for a main meal you wouldn't mind sharing, be most obliged!

ooh where to start :) These are my recommendations, also based on budget-friendly eating. There are stacks of other places, especially if you're willing to spend more. But here's my 2c:

Seeing as you're down that end of the peninsula (and I wouldn't miss a visit here anyway), Kalk Bay has some great places to eat. Kalky's fish & chips, in the harbour - very budget & very popular; Olympia Cafe/ Bakery across the road - also very popular as a breakfast spot- get there early or be prepared to wait. Or buy your goodies at the bakery shop and tale a stroll over to the harbour. Cest la vie cafe/bakery just down the road is quieter and at least as good.

For sushi, I'd say Minato in central cape town. Service/ decor not the best, sushi fantastic - and reasonable. If you're looking for a snazzier setting, Beluga in Greenpoint (near the waterfront) generally has some sort of special on their reputable sushi running - half price til 6pm or something. Call when you're here to check. Both are always busy.

otherwise, this chap does reliable reviews if you're looking for something else/ fancier. http://www.relax-with-dax.co.za/
Might be worth having a browse.

In case you're still looking, the butcher at the Biscuit Mill has had a great one in the past - could potentially try other markets, like the tokai one?