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Potato salad with apple and thyme

by Jeanne Horak on September 7, 2008 31 Comments in Salads, Vegetarian, Weekend Herb Blogging

potato-salad-apple-thyme

I swear that I am turning into a crabby old lady before my eyes.

At least half the words that come out of my mouth these days could just as easily have come out of my mother’s mouth… and we all know how we fear turning into our parents 😉  I have caught myself complaining that “music today just doesn’t have a tune, not like when we were young”.  I find myself ranting angrily at the bad proofreading in newspapers (“he was loathed to admit”, “it was a stationery vehicle” or “the couple are seperated” being some favourites), along the lines of “they don’t teach children to read or write properly in school these days!”.  And I attach greater and greater importance to good manners.

I think living in London, cheek by jowl with 7-and-some-change million people, somehow brings into sharp focus the importance of good manners as the essential lubricant which keeps social wheels turning.  Without some semblance of good manners and consideration for others, most of us living here would struggle to contain the impulse to go on a murderous rampage once a week or so.  This is usually when some bloke elbows you in the kidneys and practically bowls an old lady on crutches over in oder to scrum onto the Tube train before the disembarking passengers have even reached the doors, just so that he can nab a seat.  All this while the “please allow passengers off the train first” announcement echoes uselessly around the tunnel on the PA system.  Harrumph.

One of the things that sets South Africans apart from the locals here in London is our willingness to invite people into our homes.  Brits will offer to meet you in the pub, the theatre, a restaurant or in the park at lunchtime… but an invitation into their home is a jealously guarded prize.  We, on the other hand, will say “you must come over for a braai” as an opening move in a bid to forge a friendship – for us it is the first step; for Brits it is the last.  This means that I find myself on the giving end of invitations far more often than the receiving end – and don’t get me wrong, I like to entertain and I know that there will be some work involved.  But some sign that people appreciate the invitation and the work that goes into hosting would be welcome.

As in previous years, we held our Big South African Braai this weekend and, as usual, invited far more people than our house can feasibly hold.  We had invited people a month or more ago so as to make sure that the date was in people’s calendars.  All of last week, Nick and I anxiously scanned the weather forecast, hoping that there would be a glimmer of hope for sunny wather.  But no – the stormy weather remained on track for Saturday.  Did we cancel?  Did we waver??  No – I figured we had invited these lovely folk over and we owed them a lunch.  So we simply set up the BBQ under an awning and made space for people to sit inside while Nick (who is made of sterner stuff than me!) braaied.

As it turns out, we needen’t have worried.  We went shopping on Friday and catered salads, starters and dessert for the sixteen people we were expecting.  We ended up with eight.  Some had to work, some had medical problems – fair enough.  But I’m sorry, when did “I have made another appointment” or “I have a hangover” sent by text, at about the time I was expecting you to arrive at my house, become a reasonable excuse??

So the party was small but perfectly formed, as one of the guests noted.  Those of us who were there had a blast – eating, talking and laughing till dinnertime, and there are few things I find more enjoyable than listening to a roomful of my friends having a good time in my house 🙂  However, as I catered for the phantom guests, we are now also up to our necks in uneaten salads, so all recipes for leftover chickpea or potato salad will be gratefully received 😉

I hadn’t used thyme in a potato salad before and now I don’t know why I hadn’t – the flavour is wonderful.  Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) is a member of the mint family with a wonderful aromatic flavour that also pairs very well with chicken.  It was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans and was thought to signify courage.  Mediaeval ladies would embroider a sprig of thyme onto the clothes of their knights in shining armour for bravery.  This may or may not have helped, but as it is very rich in flavonoids and antioxidants, it is good for fighting off colds and flu, or for an immune system boost.  Its powerful essential oil, thymol, was also rubbed into wounds as its antiseptic properties prevented infection.  It is still used in mouthwash and skin creams for the same reason.

The potato salad that I made is another one of my dear friend Paul’s recipes.  Paul likes to experiment in the kitchen, an approach which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.  When he visited recently, he requested a braai for dinner and offered to make a potato salad.  When I saw him heading for the fruit bowl, I was slightly concerned.  “Ummm, can I help you?  What are you looking for?”  He replied:  “Apples”, as if that would set my mind at ease!  “In the potato salad?” I asked rather dubiously.  “Yes.  Trust me.” he replied.

I did – and so should you.  The crispy texture of the apples is the perfect foil for the creamy texture of the potatoes, and I was amazed at what a beautiful pairing apples and thyme make.  If you are stuck in a potato salad rut, please do yourself a favour and try this one.  It may not improve your manners, but it sure tastes wonderful 😉

POTATO, APPLE AND THYME SALAD (serves 6)

Ingredients:PotatoAppleThymeSalad2

6 large salad potatoes
half a small onion (as sweet as you can find)
1 Granny Smith or similar tangy apple
Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp dried thyme
salt
2 eggs (optional)

Method:

Peel the potatoes, chop into large chunks and steam.  Alternatively, you can boil them in their skins, but I find the skins always split and they absorb water and become soggy.

In the meantime, dice the onion very finely and core and grate the apple.

When the potatoes are soft enough, chop into bite-sized chunks and mix with the onion and apple.  Stir in enough mayonnaise to achieve the consistency you want (some peopel drown their potato salads in mayo, others go for a drier consistency – you choose).  Stir in the thyme (you can add a little more if you like) and add salt to taste.

If using the eggs, hard-boil them, peel, dice and sprinkle over the top of the salad before serving.

Elsewhere on the food blogs:

  • Elise of Simply Recipes made her dad’s potato salad
  • Pille of Nami-Nami made a beetroot and potato salad
  • Michelle of The Greedy Gourmet made a new potato and dill salad
  • Alanna of A Veggie Venture made warm German potato salad

Whb_2_yrs_2I am submitting this as my entry to the charming hostess for Kalyn’s event Weekend Herb Blogging this weekend – the lovely Ulrike from Kuechenlatein.  Do check her site for the roundup this week!

More deliciousness for you!

  • Roast duck with pancetta and potatoes – an alternative Christmas mealRoast duck with pancetta and potatoes – an alternative Christmas meal
  • Cranberry pistachio Bircher muesli – a Pret-a-Manger fakeawayCranberry pistachio Bircher muesli – a Pret-a-Manger fakeaway
  • Plum and peach flapjack crumble [GF]Plum and peach flapjack crumble [GF]
  • Tartiflette – an Alpine treatTartiflette – an Alpine treat

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  1. ELRA says

    September 7, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    “Brits will offer to meet you in the pub, the theatre, a restaurant or in the park at lunchtime… but an invitation into their home is a jealously guarded prize. We, on the other hand, will say “you must come over for a braai” as an opening move in a bid to forge a friendship – for us it is the first step; for Brits it is the last”
    LOL, I have exactly the same experience here (in CA) with my Brit friends. I have been inviting them for years (at least once a month) And they invited us back once a year if lucky (only if they have party, with tons of people)
    I miss South African Braai, I should ask my husband to do this and invite friends for late summer gathering. And off course your mashed potatoes should be included on the menu. It’s more interesting than just the regular mashed potatoes. Cheers.

    Reply
  2. justfoodnow says

    September 7, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Stunning – just to tell you that I read it earlier and we made this evening (with our braai). It’s a really good combination. I love seeing different potato salads!
    Maybe one day you can do an article and find out what we all do around the world. I’d love to but my site simply doesn’t call for that kind of thing. More’s the pity!
    Wish you could remind me each time you write something – I simply love love love your writing.
    By the way, I’m with you on bad writing – my worst being the split infinitives. 🙂

    Reply
  3. courtney says

    September 7, 2008 at 10:31 pm

    Apples sound great in a potato salad. Sorry you had some rude no shows.After all that work. They missed out!

    Reply
  4. Coffee and Vanilla says

    September 7, 2008 at 11:51 pm

    Wow, very interesting recipe Jeanne! 🙂
    p.s. I have the same Ikea napkins, he he

    Reply
  5. Kalyn says

    September 8, 2008 at 5:01 am

    I think thyme sounds like a wonderful flavor with apples and potatoes. Personally I think it’s one of the very most versatile herbs.

    Reply
  6. Kit says

    September 8, 2008 at 7:00 am

    Manners these days! I’m afraid to tell you that manners aren’t much better here these days either … at least where children’s birthdays are concerned – I cater more exactly for those than I do for braais, needing the right amount of treasure and not wanting to buy too much extra, then you ring people to find out if they are nearly there, as you want to start the treasure hunt and find they aren’t intending to come after all and were just about to ring you!
    My husband always says the same about Brits not inviting you to their home and I always disagreed, as my group of friends was always more inclined to entertain at home – but then we must just be honarary South Africans, it seems we are the odd ones out, and I’ve been protesting against his sweeping generalisations all these years!

    Reply
  7. Joanna says

    September 8, 2008 at 8:47 am

    I think it’s a London thing …. here in the countryside / small town, we start with an invitation to come home. One more reason to feel glad I no longer live in London
    And as for the no-shows, it makes it a nightmare organising anything. Are they worse than the ones who don’t reply and then just turn up? Not sure. I think the answer is to encourage those people to hold a party of their own – on the do-as-you-would-be-done-by principle, and in the hope that the penny might drop
    Love the apple and thyme in the potato salad
    xJoanna

    Reply
  8. Darius T. Williams says

    September 8, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    I totally know what you mean about turning into your mother. I just wrote a post today about turning into my grandmother on my personal blog (www.dariustwilliams.blogspot.com). Good luck w/that – and um…potatoe and apple salad – wowzers!
    -DTW
    http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. maybelles mom (feeding maybelle) says

    September 8, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    what an interesting pairing; I will definitely make this. (BTW, thanks for visiting.)

    Reply
  10. grace says

    September 8, 2008 at 2:08 pm

    i abhor poor editing, but it’s everywhere. bad manners are equally ubiquitous. i’m working hard to accept these things, but so far, it’s not happening. 🙂
    meanwhile, i haven’t tried thyme in potato salad either, but i love the herb and i value your opinion so i’ll definitely give it a shot! 🙂

    Reply
  11. nina says

    September 8, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    I am so proud of you for keeping the hospitality flag high…..My favorite sound in the world is also a house(mine) filled with people having a good time…. I find that even here in SA I invite far more than what I am being invited, but my friends say that they feel intimidated. I think it is a lousy excuse….. A Marmite sandwich made with love is better if someone made it for you…
    anyway…on to your potato salad.I think it is great to have a crisp apple in there, maybe even add some celery!!!

    Reply
  12. ostwestwind.twoday.net says

    September 8, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    Weekend Herb Blogging #148: The Round-up

    It’s always fun to write the round-up, but I always have some initial difficulties: Some entries ended in the spam-filter, some entries were very late.. Allow me some word for future hosts. Don’t send your entries at the last moment. Sometimes emai…

    Reply
  13. Ulrike says

    September 8, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    In German we have Himmel und Erde, apples and potatoes, but I never used thyme for this. Thanks for participatin WHB

    Reply
  14. tastebud says

    September 8, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    hi, just thought you lovley south africans abroad who love food would like to know that last wendesday we had out Eat In RMB Private Bank Small Producers Awards 2008 again. we all gathered in an old renovated warehouse the Neighbourgoods @ the old biscuit mill where we the most fantastic market every Saturday. What a lunch – sitting on long planks on crates, Karen Dudley conjured up dish after gorgeous dish using the winning products – all served on vintage platters and mismatched crockery deliciious wine and lovley people. We can all be proud at the amazing producers we have here! 18 winners were honored – from the most idyllic organic farm and lovley shy Sylvia, who produces mutchli style cheese with no eskom only gas and solar power, Wayne Rademeyer and his real mozzarella di Bufala, attorney turned water buffalo farmer in Wellington(best new product)to the utterly addictive atchaars, sauces and pickles from the parker family of quality pickles(winner grocery catgegory)I say yay to local producers!
    Pics will soon be up on the website http://www.eat-in.co.za
    Nina

    Reply
  15. arfi says

    September 8, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    ahhhh i miss green apples. we haven’t seen a lot of them sold at the farmers’ market these days. your salad and thyme looks refreshing. i am sure the tartness of those green apples give excellent bursts in your mouth. delicious!

    Reply
  16. Elizabeth says

    September 8, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    The thyme doesn’t surprise me but the apple does. Nice idea! And completely different from our potato salad with green beans and oil-cured olives!

    Reply
  17. Susan from Food Blogga says

    September 8, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    Don’t hold your breath waiting for a spontaneous invitation from an American. Most people would think that person was weird. Most of don’t even like sharing a table at the coffeeshop! As for the spud salad, I love, love, love the addition of apples and thyme. What an interesting flavor and texture it must provide.

    Reply
  18. Helen says

    September 8, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Hi Jeanne, I agree with you about Brits not inviting people to their homes – we don’t do it often enough! It’s funny really as I always enjoy those evenings the most so I really should invite people over more rather than always going out. I also understand your frustration at people not turning up – it is always upsetting when you try to make an evening special and people come up with lame excuses..

    Reply
  19. valentina says

    September 8, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Oh, tell me about the tube. I take it every day to go to work in canary wharf and maners have become an obsession of mine since it is so lacking. I am very curious about this salad – apples, potatoes and thyme. Fascinating! Getting my pen..

    Reply
  20. Nate says

    September 8, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Apple and potatoes definitely go together.
    Texting “I made another appointment” is just not right. Back in the rotation for that one!

    Reply
  21. neil says

    September 9, 2008 at 2:40 am

    Ulrike’s name, heaven and earth, sounds really poetic. Isn’t it great when new combinations work out so well, the use of thyme inspired, it’s one of my top three herbs. I reckon you could use up the leftover potato and apple salad in empanadas, maybe adding some ham.
    Perhaps a cattle prod on the tube could work wonders. Not standing up for the pregnant woman…zap, they’d be bolt upright in a flash!

    Reply
  22. Rosemary says

    September 9, 2008 at 9:06 am

    Just remember that the 24th of September is National Braai day here, so you are going to have to light up again! I can’t believe people are so scarce with home invites – I love having people round, so much more social than a restaurant, they really don’t know what they are missing out on. Friendships are best cared for at home!

    Reply
  23. Gill says

    September 9, 2008 at 1:29 pm

    I am definitely going to try adding some apple next time I make a potato salad, sounds yum!
    Re: the leftovers, I can’t offer any advice, but I do empathise… let’s just say Paula’s hot dog stand at her school,s market day didn’t go quite as well as expected – any ideas for 97 left-over viennas!!!?

    Reply
  24. Deeba says

    September 9, 2008 at 3:13 pm

    How true Jeanne; I think you might have many clones (me included). LOL…quite right you are about people & how strange they are. Thankfully here, they are more than willing to come over & happily so! On another note, that’s a lovely salad. I’ve done a potato, onion & sweetcorn…now apple & thyme are intriguing! Got to lay me hands on some thyme…yummy!!

    Reply
  25. Angela says

    September 9, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    Apples and thyme work so well together. I occasionally bake an apple or two alongside roast pork and stick a few sprigs of thyme in each (and some honey) for a cute individual portion of apple sauce.
    The salad looks wonderful!
    (And I, too, find myself moaning rather a lot about shoddy editing and proofreading in newspapers and on the BBC news website. I have given up reporting errors, however, as they never corrected them.)

    Reply
  26. katsa says

    September 11, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Jeanne – My mom always put grated apple in with her braai-accompanying potato salad, as well as finely sliced onions. Years later on a student holiday in Ballito, and without mom to check with, I tried to recreate the famous salad, and I figured the additional crisp cruchiness must have just been a lot of onions. Was I wrong! Needless to say I paid attention the next time mom made potato salad, and now, I never make mine without the addition of granny smiths. I must try the thyme now too!
    You are so right about turning into your parents – espeically here in Europe where I find children trying to be older sooner than they’d be in SA. I find myself regularly commenting, “Does their mother know where they are / what they’re up to / what they’re wearing?!”
    At the risk of turning into a crazy lady, I have not yet written a letter to the editor complaining about the poor proofreading in a publication, but I do rant loudly to anyone who has the misfortune to venture near, and I have been known to redline office minutes and promotional material. (Ok, maybe I am already that crazy lady… 🙂 )

    Reply
  27. Jeanne says

    September 11, 2008 at 7:18 pm

    Elra – Glad to her it’s not just me struggling with the Brits’ approach to socialising! Hope you get your late-summer braai organised and that you’ll have better weather than we had 🙂
    Justfood – glad you enjoyed it! And thank yo for your lovely compliments on my writing *blush*. If you want to know when I’ve written a post, have you tried subscribing to my RSS feed, or my weekly e-mail? There are links to both in the sidebar.
    Courtney – it’s a very happy combo, And yes, a big fat raspberry to the no-shows, but at least I know they lost out more than we did!
    Margot – do give it a try. And yes, you are the person who gave me the idea to invest in IKEA napkins as props 😉
    Kalyn – you are so right, thyme goes with so many things!
    Kit – I thing public flogging should be brought back for last-minute no-shows, unless they have a doctor’s note!! And LOL about your husband and I agreeing on Brit social customs! I’m sure there are some of your countrymen out there who invite people into their homes at the drop of a hat – I just haven’t met them 😉
    Joanna – oh, I hear you about the advantages of the country (and you have a particularly lovely bit of country around you!). Now if only I could find a way of making money outside London…! And agree – not sure if the no-shows or unexpected arrivals are worse :o)
    Darius – sooner or later it happens to all of us 🙂 And do try the salad – it’s great!
    Maybelle’s mom – it’s definitely worth a try. It just works!
    Grace – of course, after I’d posted, I found typos in my own post ranting about proofreading – arrrgh! Fixed now… And as for potatoes and thyme, it’ll be love at first bite 🙂
    Nina – oh trust me, we fly that flag high! And yes, what’s up with this “ooooh, I can’t invite you around because you’ll criticise my food!”. I do believ that the only mentions on my blog of meals at friends’ houses was where I was RAVING about some or other dich of theirs. Harrumph. I do’t care WHAT people feed me, as long as I didn’t have to make it! And re. celery, I always add it to my tuna salad for crunch 🙂
    Ulrike – I’m going to look that up! And oddly enough, I also make a dish with smoked pork, potatoes, apples and cabbage…
    Tastebud – my full report is up now. Thanks for the heads-up 🙂
    Arfi – I would shrivel and die without green apples… I buy them year round, despite the food miles (I figure the South African farming industry needs my support anyway…).
    Elizabeth – I know – who woulda known! And I did think while I was making it how different it is to my sister-in-law’s garlicky, olive-oily potato salads!
    Susan – LOL! So it’s the South Africans that are the odd ones out! No wonder we make bad emigrants 🙂 And do try the salad – the textures and flavours do work beautifully together.
    Helen – I did worry about the sweeping generalisation so I’m glad you support me!! And honestly, in my experience it’s 100% true… And I support corporal punishment for no-shows :o)
    Valentina – Hah – maybe we have seen each other on the Jubilee line without knowing it! Some days I get home just feeling manhandled – it can be like a scrum in there with every man for himself. DO try the salad – it’s addictive!
    Nate – LOL – yes, I certainly crossed some names off *my* Christmas card list, I can tell you 😉
    Neil – empanadas, now there’s an idea. Thanks! As for the cattle prod, I’m liking it already! Every pregnant woman should be issued with one 🙂
    Rosemary – agree, there’s nothing quite like having people around. Gives me the warm fuzzies 🙂 And thanks for reminding me abotu braai day – I will definitely have to contribute!
    Recetas – muchas gracias!
    Gill – do try it, it’s great. As for the viennas… erm, a big sausage and bean casserole?? With herby dumplings??
    Deeba – glad to hear I’m not alone on this 🙂 And ooooh, sweetcorn improves ANY salad! I’ll definitely have to try that – thanks 🙂
    Angela – I love the idea of the baked apples & thyme alongside pork & will definitely try that. SOme mornings on the train I am tempted to sit with my red pen… I mean, I know it’s only the Metro but REALLY. Yesterday there was something about “non-evasive surgery”. Give me strength.
    Katsa – LOL – I sometimes wonder whether moving over here speeds up the process of turning into your parents!! Glad to hear it’s not just me. And you are so right about the crunch factor – I love lots of crunch in my potato salad but can’t take so much raw onion, but the grated apple is the perfect solution 🙂

    Reply
  28. katie says

    September 18, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Fear of turning into our mothers… Yup!
    We Americans are the same – ‘Come on over’ oftern the first thing out of the mouth. The French are eve more reluctant than the Brit’s – although the expat Brits’ here are pretty free with the invitations.
    And nothing irritates me more than bad proof-reading – and nothing I hate more to do ;-((

    Reply
  29. Carolyn says

    September 21, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    It is so rare that I find a recipe where I actually have all the ingredients on hand (or can even find them at the shop!). sounds lovely – will try this salad this week! not sure i am much help with the leftover dilemna – depending on the ingredients in the chickpea salad you could try blending it into a dip, or maybe add some couscous to make the salad into a meal? hope all is well!

    Reply
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Do you find joy in life's imperfections?
What's your favourite way to eat cauliflower? Up What's your favourite way to eat cauliflower? 

Up until about a week ago I would have said cauliflower cheese... but all that changed when I made this low-carb cauliflower steak Welsh rarebit... I first made cauliflower steaks years ago, before cauliflower started enjoying its 15 minutes of fame, as a main course for vegetarian friends. But it wasn't till last week when I wanted to make Welsh rarebit for St David's day and discovered I had no bread that it struck me that cauli steaks would make the perfect base for Welsh rarebit! It's totally indulgent - like pouring a beery cheese fondue over your cauliflower - and totally addictive. You can find the full recipe in the link in my profile,  or SAVE this post for basic instructions! Remember to tag me if you try it -I'd love to see 😊

* Slice two 1cm steaks vertically from the middle of a large cauliflower, season and fry in  butter and oil till browning slightly.

* Oven bake for 10 mins at 200C while you mix grated cheddar, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and beer. (The Duvel Belgian ale works a charm, BTW!).

* Spread the cheese mix generously over the 2 steaks and pop under a medium grill until golden and bubbly

You're welcome 🤩
Dyed Gwyl Dewi Hapus - or happy St David's Day if Dyed Gwyl Dewi Hapus - or happy St David's Day if you don't speak Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

March 1 is the day on which the Welsh people celebrate their patron saint, St David, and one of their traditions is to wear a daffodil, the national flower of Wales. Here are five daffodil facts to impress your Welsh friends:

🌼 There's no difference between a daffodil and a narcissus. Daffodil (or jonquil) is simply the common name for members of the Narcissus genus, so all daffodils are narcissi.

🌼 There is only one species if daffodil that is native to the UK - Narcissus Pseudonarcissus, or wild daffodils. You can spot them by the fact that their outer 6 petals are a paler yellow than the central trumpet, and they are usually smaller than the showy, giant yellow commercially grown daffs. 

🌼 It's not entirely certain how the daffodil came to be the national flower of Wales - one theory is that they are one of the few flowers in bloom on 1 March. Another is that the daffodil is less... antisocial to wear than the other Welsh national symbol, the leek 🤣

🌼 Daffodils are the official 10th wedding anniversary flower.

🌼 Daffodils contain a poisonous sap - keep away from pets and if mixing daffodils in a vase with other flowers, let them stand in water separately for 24 hours first I case they affect the other flowers. 

Are daffodils your favourite Spring flower? Or do you prefer something else?
As a girl who lived more than half her life in the As a girl who lived more than half her life in the African sun, February and March are the hardest months for me to bear in the UK. All the excitement of Christmas and New Year has faded; the credit card bill has arrived; the sun is still setting before I finish work; and the snow that we all hoped for at Christmas finally arrives and disrupts everything. This is why, every year in Feb/March since I moved to the UK (other than the year I broke my femur a week before I was due to fly!), I decamp to South Africa for 2 weeks to visit my family and get my fix of vitamin D (and vitamin Sea!).

This week I should have been here - the Beacon Island hotel in Plettenberg Bay, which I have been visiting since I was about six years old. It is where I go to lift my spirits and clear my head. But for the last 2 years, Covid has meant that I have not been able to go home - or see my family. 

For the most part, although I miss travel, I am secretly quite liking taking a breather and being able to be home without FOMO for a while. But not being able to see my family has been incredibly hard, particularly as I have no family in this country.  And my blood boils at people bending the rules (a dentist appointment in Tenerife when you live in Manchester? Seriously??) to go on holiday while I have not seen my clinically vulnerable brother in two years. Covidiots.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that as soon as vaccinations are widely rolled out and international travel becomes practical again, I will be on a plane to South Africa so fast it will make your head spin.

Where will YOU head to first once we are able to travel again,  and why?
Love is in the air... 💕 Are you making a speci Love is in the air... 💕

Are you making a special dinner for your sweetheart tonight? This potted hot-smoked salmon with a pretty pink apple and red onion pickle is easy to prep and oh-so-delicious! It's also gluten-free if you serve it with GF crackers. Full recipe now on the blog - tap the live link on my bio to view. 

Are you doing anything special to celebrate today? Let me know in the comments! 💖
Ready for a wine tasting? 🍷 [Press trip] Back Ready for a wine tasting? 🍷

[Press trip] Back before Covid put our lives on hold, I spent a few days in the Languedoc-Rousillon wine region of France learning about (and tasting!) Pays d'Oc IGP wines. 

Want to learn more about the region's wines? Read on, swipe through the images (remember to  bookmark this post to refer back to later) - and click the live link in my bio for the full blog post! 

🍷 The Languedoc-Rousillon region is the largest wine producing region in the world, and produces about a third of all French wine. Pays d'Oc IGP is a classification region within Languedoc-Rousillon, with vineyards that take up over half the total vineyard area in the Languedoc-Rousillon region. Pays d'OC IGP wines account for about 20% of the total of all French wine produced.

🍷IGP stands for Indication Geographique Protegée, meaning it is a protected indication of origin and wines must be made only from approved grape varieties that must be grown entirely within the region's geographic boundaries.

🍷 Most French wines are named for their region (Bordeaux, Chablis, Champagne) but you won't see the name of the grape variety on the label. In response to consumer demand and the New World trend to label wines with grape varieties, rules were changed in Pays d'Oc in the late 1980s and Pays d'Oc wines now account for 92% of French varietal wines (e.g. labelled Chardonnay, Syrah, Viognier etc.).

🍷 There are 58 grape varieties that are allowed to be planted in the region but the Pays d'Oc IGP varietal wines to watch out for include Chardonnay, Rolle (another name for Vermentino) and Viognier among the whites; and Syrah, Mourvedre and Pinot Noir among the reds.

🍷 All wines labelled Pays d'Oc IGP are sampled and approved in a blind tasting by a panel of professionals, meaning the label is a guarantee of quality to the consumer. 

🍷 Producers that you should look out for include Gerard Bertrand, Domaine Gayda, Les Jamelles, Les Yeuses, Paul Mas and Domaine Aigues Belles.

First 📸: @everyglassmatters
New year's resolutions: waste of time or the way f New year's resolutions: waste of time or the way forward?

I have mentioned before that I don't really make new year's resolutions. There is always so much pressure to make them BIG lofty goals and this is essentially what dooms them to failure. Instead, for the past few years I have made a list of... affirmations? Mantras? I have yet come up with a word that does not make my toes curl 🤣

These are essentially reminders rather than goals - presets, if you like, for the year ahead. I keep them in a handwritten list next to my computer and when I don't know how to react to something or how to shake a mood, I read them and there is usually an answer in there somewhere. 

Given the bruising year last year was, and how 2021 has so far proven itself to be not much better, I really wanted to add something practical to this year's list to lift my spirits on days when I am down. And for that I borrowed shamelessly from the wonderful @gretchenrubin:

🌈  ACT THE WAY YOU WANT TO FEEL 🌈

And this photo is a reminder of how I want to feel on so, so many levels: hanging out with friends; dancing in the sunshine; wearing my favourite red dress; travelling (this was in Carouge, Switzerland); and surrounded by a rainbow of colour. I can't travel and I can't see friends, but I can dance in my kitchen, singing at the top of my voice wearing my brightest clothes. 

What strategies do you use to lift your spirits? I'd love to hear! 

📸 by @tasteofsavoie
If you, like me, are mssing your Pret-a- Manger Bi If you, like me, are mssing your Pret-a- Manger Bircher muesli during lockdown, you will want to bookmark this post right now! 🔖

I have learnt a few things during lockdown. I have learnt that I am more comfortable spending long periods alone than I had ever imagined; that I suffer a lot more from FOMO (fear of missing out!) than I would like to admit; and that pre-Covid I spent rude sums of money on commuting and barista coffee...! 

I also learnt that although I miss travel and social events and meals out, it is often the smaller things that you miss most acutely - the freedom to call up a friend you haven't seen in a while and inviting them over. Hugging (or even seeing) my family. And grabbing a macchiato and a Pret Bircher muesli on the way to work. Don't ask me why, but it became a small obsession of mine to create a fakeaway Pret Bircher during lockdown - and I think I have succeeded! Here's how:

For 2 servings you will need:
100g rolled oats
200ml milk or water
1 Tbsp sunflower seeds
1 Tbsp pumpkin seeds 
1 Tbsp shelled pistachio nuts
1 Tbsp dried cranberries 
2 small apples
175g plain yoghurt
Honey
Pomegranate rails

Mix the oats, seeds, nuts and cranberries together then add the milk/water and a pinch of salt. Mix well, cover and refrigerate overnight. 

When ready to serve, grate the apples and mix them in with the oats and yoghurt (add a little extra milk to loosen if needed). Stir in honey to taste and serve topped with pomegranate arils and pistachios. Full recipe and more photos are available now on the blog - click the live link in my profile.

Did you try any fakeaway recipes over lockdown? Please let me know in the comments - I would love to hear about it!
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Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

Latest Recipes

Cauliflower topped steak with melted cheese
Plate of potted smoked salmon with slaw and a glass of champagne
bowls of pistachio pomegranate bircher muesli
Brussels sprouts with chorizo & hazelnuts
Plum upside down cake
plum flapjack crumble
Sesame ginger Brussels sprouts
Jersey-royals-salmon-salad2 © Jeanne Horak 2019

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