Just like living with other people, living alone is something every adult should experience for themselves. Living with other people teaches you about compromise and consideration for others; living alone teaches you about self-reliance and liking your own company. The 18 month period shortly after we were married when Nick lived in the UK and I lived in South Africa was the first time that I had lived alone, with neither my parents nor Nick around, all alone in my cosy apartment. I worried that I would get lonely; that I would be frightened of the silence as I lay alone in bed each night; that I would end up eating nothing but beans on toast for dinner; or spend weekends in my pyjamas with no make-up on. None of these things came to pass. In fact, my mom used to say that it was unseemly for a married woman living so far away from her husband to be quite so happy, and that perhaps I should put on a little show of misery every now and again! But the truth is that I truly loved living alone for those 18 months.
Living alone means total control of the TV remote. It means that if you are not hungry, you can have a bowl of popcorn, or ice cream, or a milkshake for dinner and nobody will complain. It means that everything stays exactly where you put it and never gets "tidied away" or "put in a safe place" where you cannot find it. It means 100% access to all four corners of the double bed and no theft of the covers. It means you can read until 4a.m. or go to bed at 8 p.m. without any raised eyebrows. It means you can do yoga in front of the TV while watching Love Actually for the 10th time - and nobody complains. (Of course, it also means that if there is a spider on your bedroom wall you have to deal with it all by yourself. Shudder.) In the kitchen it means that you drink from the milk bottle or eat ice-cream straight from the tub, or spoon things straight from the jar into your mouth without wondering what people will think (oops, have I said too much?!). In my case, this direct jar-to-mouth consumption method would probably involve peanut butter jar; the mayonnaise jar; the pesto jar; and the golden syrup tin. Mea culpa. Nick, on the other hand, takes a fork to the pickle jar and the olive jar - and pours himself spoonfuls of neat Tabasco. What would YOU eat straight from the jar if nobody were watching?
When we opened our Plate to Page Tuscany goodie bags and found a jar of South African Peppadew peppers, I was surprised at: a) how many of the participants already knew the product already and b) how many of the Plate to Page participants said they love eating them straight out of the jar as opposed to using them as an ingredient in other dishes. Given the intimate details I have shared about my jar-snacking activities, I certainly see where they are coming from. These little bright red peppers, about the size and shape of a cherry tomato, originated in South Africa. The official company line has it that Johan Steenkamp, from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, came across a chest-high bush of unidentified small round peppers in the garden of his holiday house. These fruits turned out to be the piquanté peppers for which the Peppadew company developed (and patented) a pickling process and voila - a star was born. The peppers are often touted as the first new fruit to be introduced on the world market since the kiwi fruit but scientific tests have shown that these little peppers are probably unregistered members of the habanero family rather than a new species. What is unique, though, is the patented pickling process. The fruit are kept whole but completely deseeded, then pickled with sugar, vinegar, salt and spices as well Vitamin C and calcium chloride (which keeps pickled products crisp). The finished product retains its very vivid red colour, has no annoying seeds to be removed, and remains crisp and firm. It's gluten-free, vegan and low in calories - apart from being sweet, spicy and delicious!
I had previously made loads of Peppadew recipes, including Peppadew, feta and thyme quiche; zucchini, feta and Peppadew bread; Peppadew and Parmesan muffins; and even added them to a potjiekos stew with chicken and chorizo. But this time I was after something small and tasty that I could whip up quickly if friends drop by for drinks in the run-up to Christmas. The recipe was provided by Peppadew and will shortly be appearing on their "Peppalog" on Facebook. These little puffs are not only delicious but also really easy and can literally be put together in 30 mins once the pastry is defrosted. Use the hot Peppadew peppers if you prefer your snacks spicy and use the strongest Cheddar you can find!
DISCLOSURE: I received a jar of Peppadew peppers as a free sample in my Plate to Page goodie bag.
If you love Peppadews, why not enter their fantastic "12 Days of Christmas" event with a great selection of daily prizes to be won.
PEPPADEW CHEESE PUFFS (makes about 24)
Ingredients:
500g puff pastry, thawed
12 Peppadew mild or hot sweet piquanté peppers, finely chopped
50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
180ml double cream
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp finely chopped spring onions
freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Preheat the oven to 200C and lightly grease a mini-muffin tin. Roll out the pastry and using am 8cm round cookie cutter, cut out 24 rounds. about 8cm x 8cm rounds.
Press the rounds of pastry gently into the muffin tin cups. Divide the peppers and the cheese equally between the pastry cases. Beat the remaining ingredients together in a jug and pour over the peppers and cheese so the pastry cases are three quarters full.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the filling is puffed up and golden. Serve warm with a glass of fruity red wine.
And in other news...
HAHA! I would actually love to spend weekends in my P.Js with no make up on! I totally get you - now that Tom is away in Stockholm for his 10 days stint I have to rely on me most of the times and am finding sides to me I never knew existed (like getting rid of those spiders - still with a shudder but without the screams!) Love Peppadew and sorry that there was only one jar in the bag! Mine are all gone!
Posted by: Meeta | December 07, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Tipsy olives - the ones with the jalapeños stuffed in the middle. I can't get out of the shop usually before I crack the jar open to have one or three..... I love 'em. Peppadews get around, that is for sure. They are here in plenty and also were very easy to find in the US. A great product and I love this recipe; great for entertaining........which we are gearing up for this holiday season!
Posted by: Móna Wise | December 07, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Peanut butter, butter and heavy cream, I'll devour right from their containers, with the open fridge as my witness. Not very healthy, i know...Gee! It's a good thing I don't live alone now.
I love reading your write up. Enjoyed every truth in it. Your cheese puffs are amazing too. Can't wait to try. My husband will love to devour these all by himself, I hope he'll save a bite or two for me. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Anna | December 08, 2011 at 03:05 AM
Let's not forget the half tin of Nestle Caramel...... I do get you on the peppadews. Love them in recipes and adore them on their own!
Posted by: ninatimm | December 08, 2011 at 03:41 AM
Jeanne, if they taste as pretty as they look that is certainly a winning combination. Very practical too. I just loved learning about peppadew origin I have to say.
Posted by: Valentina | December 08, 2011 at 07:06 AM
One of my favourite starters are stuffed pepperdews. Slice the top off, tuck in some cheese (chevin or feta or anything really!)and grill in the oven till heated through. Delicious.
AS for eating straight from the jar-Nutella is my weakness regardless of who's watching! As was that jar of Marshmallow Fluff a very kind blog friend sent me. I tried as hard as I could but I could not make it last more than a week. It called me...and the spoon was *right there*!
Posted by: Tara | December 08, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Got to admit to having eaten golden syrup direct from the tin... I had such an urge for something sweet...
Posted by: Andrew | December 08, 2011 at 09:16 AM
Nutella is also my weakness from the jar - dangerous stuff to have around!
My only experience of living alone was in a grotty South London bedsit, when I'd just left university and was temping, so all I can say is that I survived it!
Posted by: Kit | December 08, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Hands down it would be caramel . . . And in fact, there better be caramel in heaven or I'm so not going!!! Peppadews were one of those great surprise finds for me about a year ago and even though they're hard to find here, we almost always have a jar in the pantry - love the tarts!!
Posted by: Smith Bites | December 08, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Ooh, just the kind of post that I love. You start with a fantastic story and then with a deft flick of the wrist, we're suddenly thinking about food in jars and which ones we'd choose when toute seule. Fantastic!
Posted by: Eggs on the Roof | December 08, 2011 at 10:18 PM
First, to answer the question, "What would you eat straight from the jar?" No question. Hot fudge sauce! When I was dieting, I would allow myself a perfect 1 teaspoon to satify my sweet cravings! (now a habit periodically indulged in!)
I am tasting this lovely appetizer your photo is so inviting and delicious. Your post made me smile greatly :-)
Posted by: Robin O. | December 08, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Hi Cook sister,
I'm still very new to food blogging and am still trying to sort out my blog. Like to know if you could give me some pointers. I love your writing! I am crazy about peppadews and will definitely try out your recipe.
Posted by: cheryl jacobs | December 09, 2011 at 07:49 AM
I love canapes! they are a small bite od deliciousnes, your look great!
Posted by: beti | December 09, 2011 at 04:56 PM
"or spend weekends in my pyjamas with no make-up on" Um...should I be concerned that I do that now even though I don't live alone? lol
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | December 15, 2011 at 03:10 AM
Those cheese puffs are looking really good!
Posted by: Kevin (Closet Cooking) | December 31, 2011 at 07:42 PM