With mothers in mind, as part of this month’s recipes, I just had to include a recipe for Whoopie Pie, the ultimate dessert sandwich.  It is not exactly fare for a high tea, but quite easy for Dad and the kids to make for Mother’s Day.  It is said that Whoopie Pies originated in Amish communities in USA when mom’s needed to make something out of leftover chocolate cake batter and icing. When kids found this treat in their lunch boxes, they shouted “whoopie!”  There seems to be people who confuse French Macaroons with Whoopie Pies – I can’t imagine why!  Anyway, I decided to compare the two “cookies” to get rid of any confusion.

Macaroon Vs Whoopie Pie

In my search (which is turning into a quest!) for a flop-proof recipe for French Macaroons, I discovered that there are in essence two schools of thought when it comes to making the perfect French Macaroon.  The first, swears by meringue made with a sugar syrup, the second says it is not crucial at all. I tend to agree with the latter – it is much easier and quicker!  If you feel up for a challenge, see the May 2012 issue of the Food & Home Entertaining Magazine for a recipe for French Macaroons made with sugar syrup.  I have to admit, I have personally had successes and disasters with the exact same recipe!   So be warned – do not expect your first batch of French macaroons to be a success – they rarely are!  The end result is usually edible, but it sometimes does not look like it is supposed to look.  I guess it depends greatly on how much of a perfectionist you are.

My selection of recipes for the month of May include recipes for French Macaroons and traditional Whoopie Pies as well as Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with variable fillings.  I have also included two adult-friendly recipes (they contain alcohol or raw eggs) – Rum & Coconut ice cream and a classic Caesar Salad.  Enjoy!

May Recipes

In my next newsletter I will provide you with my favourite Autumn comfort food recipes.

Happy cooking!

Jeanri

In this newsletter:

• Cooking Demonstration With Nature’s Choice
• Culinary Tour To France
• Private Cooking Lessons
• Books and CD’s by Carolié de Koster
• Subscribe to our Website
• Services

COOKING DEMONSTRATION WITH NATURE’S CHOICE – TUESDAY 15 MAY 2012

In line with Food Allergy Awareness Week (13 to 19 May) my guest demonstrator this month is Hanlie le Roux from Nature’s Choice.  The theme of her demonstration will be Everyday Dairy & Gluten-free cooking and baking.  Hanlie says: “we live in a world where we are subjected to foods that are grown and manufactured in such a way that instead of fueling our bodies it is harming us. There is an alarming increase in the number of people who suffer from various food allergies”.  It is therefore important to stay informed!  Hanlie will be demonstrating a few mouthwatering recipes using the Nature’s Choice dairy and gluten-free products.  Be sure not to miss this informative event if you or anyone in your family are dairy or gluten intolerant.  You can buy gift vouchers for this event for a friend or loved-one who is dairy or gluten intolerant or has celiac disease.

Click on the link below for Carolie de Koster’s favourite Gluten-free Bread Recipe.

Everyday Gluten-Free Bread

At this event you will also be able to sample and buy Instant Rooibos Tea, the quickest way to make a “cuppa” without the soggy tea bag!  Great for use at home, at the office or when you travel.  All you need is hot water and half a teaspoon of powder for an instant cup of Rooibos Tea.

Click here to make a booking on or before Tuesday 8 May 2012.

CULINARY TOUR TO FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 2012

The departure date for my tour to France is Friday 21 September.   Seeing that Monday 24 September is a public holiday, you only need to put in leave for 4 days – you will be able to spend 8 unforgettable days in France!  This unique culinary tour to France, will combine two of life’s great pleasures – food and travel. While eating and drinking your way through France, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cuisine, history and culture of France, the forefather of all things culinary. We will be spending 5 days in Normandy, a region renowned for products such as Camembert cheese and Calvados apple brandy. Thereafter we will spend three glorious days in Paris, the city of lights (or should it be delights!), indulging in Parisian specialities such as macarons, chocolate, pastries, cheese and wine, to mention a few.

The itinerary of the tour has been chosen with great care and designed for people who love and appreciate good food. If you regard yourself as the latter, be sure to join us!  All you need to do to reserve your place is to fill out a booking form and pay a deposit of R3000.00 before Thursday 30 May 2012.  Read more …

PRIVATE COOKING LESSONS

If planning meals and cooking for your family is driving you up the wall, and you would like to hand the responsibility over to your nanny/domestic worker, all you need to do is tell me when and where. You will not only empower your domestic worker, you will also never have to worry about preparing meals for your family again! The lessons will take place in your own kitchen utilising your own appliances and equipment. I can also supply everything if you prefer. The lessons are tailor-made to your tastes and preferences, i.e. your or your staff will learn to make dishes that you love to eat, whether it is “boerekos”, child friendly food or gourmet dishes. The possibilities are endless!  Read more …

I am based in Johannesburg, but I am happy to venture further afield. Have a look at what satisfied customers had to say about my cooking lessons.  Read more …

BOOKS & CD’s BY CAROLIé DE KOSTER

Carolié’s Art Of Cooking Recipe Book and Art Of Cooking CD can be ordered through me.

Mother’s Day Special - R700.00 per Art of Cooking Recipe Book (usually R800.00).  Please order before end of May 2012.

Read more …

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COOKING UP A STORM WEBSITE TO GET MORE!

By subscribing to the website, you will get free access to the latest news on our own and other foodie events like Food Shows, as well as blogs on food related topics, recipes, cooking tips & hints, etc. the moment we post it on the website. Please note, even if you are currently receiving our monthly newsletter, you still need to subscribe to the Cooking Up A Storm website to receive updates immediately. The subscribe option is at the top right of every page of my website.

SERVICES

Tailor-made private cooking lessons – in your own kitchen! For yourself, your kids your domestic worker or nanny.

• Cookery demonstrations on a variety of topics (in your own house if you prefer!)
• Hands-on cookery sessions for social, corporate or staff training.
• Recipe development
• Motivational talks and individual consultations on healthy eating.
• Weekly or monthly healthy meal plans with grocery lists for the busy cook.
• Supplier of a variety of quality cooking utensils & equipment, e.g. Wizbake reusable baking sheets, silicone bakeware, etc.
• Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.

Read more about Cooking Up a Storm.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions.

The Easter weekend is upon us and I did not have any trouble getting inspired by this event once again, as so much of Easter revolves around food, family and friends. I hope you enjoy the new-look newsletter – if you do please let me know.

In this month’s newsletter you will find a few unusual easter chocolate creations, a few Easter recipes and the coolest Easter-themed kitchen gadgets. I could not resist including the first article on French macaroons, with more macaroon tips, hints and recipies to follow in the months to come. I’m also telling you about my French culinary tour to France as well as my Easter special on my private cooking lessons.

Staying with the chocolate theme, chocoholics worldwide are smiling from ear-to-ear after they have been given the green light to eat chocolate regularly. Yes, in case you haven’t heard, the research results of a study done by the University of California was released last week and the study concluded that chocolate can help you lose weight! Wonderful news – just in time for Easter!

Easter eggs with a difference

Easter is synonymous with eggs, whether it is made from chocolate or not and whether it is in the shape of an egg, a chicken or a fish! Have a look at these unusual creations that was hand-made by master-chocolatiers for Easter 2012.  Read more …

Cool Easter Kitchen Gadgets

I came across these cute Easter-themed kitchen gadgets online and just had to share it!  Read more …

Easter Recipes

My Easter recipes are a little less traditional than usual this year. I trust they will still be enjoyed by your family and friends alike! I have decided not to include any rich desserts in my selection seeing that all of us will probably consume lots of chocolate this weekend anyway! They are: roast lamb studded with rosemary and garlic, fillet with chinese five spice, autumn broccoli salad, hot cross bun pudding with lemon curd and hot cross bun muffins.  Read more …

Ode to the French Macaroon

One of the things I cannot wait to tell you more about, is what real French macaroons taste like. I will be able to do so when I get back from my culinary tour to France later this year. Read more …

If you haven’t tasted a Macaroon yet, you are missing out big time! Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be posting macaroon recipes as well as tips and hints on making the perfect Macaroon. In my next newsletter I will provide you with macaroon recipes as well as ideas on what to do with all the egg yolks! Here is a sneak preview on what the hype is all about. Read more …

In this newsletter:

• Culinary Tour To Normandy & Paris (France)
• Private Cooking Lessons
• Books and CD’s by Carolié de Koster
• Subscribe to our Website
• Services

CULINARY TOUR TO FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 2012

This unique culinary tour to France, will combine two of life’s great pleasures – food and travel. While eating and drinking your way through France, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cuisine, history and culture of France, the forefather of all things culinary. We will be spending 5 days in Normandy, a region renowned for products such as Camembert cheese and Calvados apple brandy. Thereafter we will spend three glorious days in Paris, the city of lights (or should it be delights!), indulging in Parisian specialities such as macarons, chocolate, pastries, cheese and wine, to mention a few.

The itinerary of the tour has been chosen with great care and designed for people who love and appreciate good food. If you regard yourself as the latter, be sure to join us! I am going to leave it up to you to decide if you want to travel solo or if you want to invite someone with you on the tour – whether it is your spouse, your partner, your brother, sister, mother, father, one friend or multiple friends. If you haven’t booked yet, be sure to do it as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as there are only a few places available. Or if you won’t be able to join us this time, but you know of someone who might be interested, please forward this newsletter to them. It might be just what they need! All you need to do to reserve your place is to pay a deposit of R3000.00 before 30 May 2012.  Read more …

PRIVATE COOKING LESSONS – EASTER SPECIAL!!!!

If you book for four private cooking lessons for yourself, your domestic worker or nanny before the end of April, you will receive a box of Wizbake reusable baking sheets for free! Terms and conditions apply.

If planning meals and cooking for your family is driving you up the wall, and you would like to hand the responsibility over to your nanny/domestic worker, all you need to do is tell me when and where. You will not only empower your domestic worker, you will also never have to worry about preparing meals for your family again! The lessons will take place in your own kitchen utilising your own appliances and equipment. I can also supply everything if you prefer. The lessons are tailor-made to your tastes and preferences, i.e. the dishes you love to eat, whether it is “boerekos” or gourmet dishes. The possibilities are endless!  Read more …

I am based in Johannesburg, but I am happy to venture further afield. Have a look at what satisfied customers had to say about my cooking lessons.  Read more …

BOOKS & CD’s BY CAROLIé DE KOSTER

Carolié’s Art Of Cooking Recipe Book and Art Of Cooking CD can be ordered through me. Read more …

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COOKING UP A STORM WEBSITE TO GET MORE!

By subscribing to the website, you will get free access to the latest news on our own and other foodie events like Food Shows, as well as blogs on food related topics, recipes, cooking tips & hints, etc. the moment we post it on the website. Please note, even if you are currently receiving our monthly newsletter, you still need to subscribe to the Cooking Up A Storm website to receive updates immediately. The subscribe option is at the top right of every page of my website.

SERVICES

Tailor-made private cooking lessons – in your own kitchen! For yourself, your kids your domestic worker or nanny.

• Cookery demonstrations on a variety of topics (in your own house if you prefer!)
• Hands-on cookery sessions for social, corporate or staff training.
• Recipe development
• Motivational talks and individual consultations on healthy eating.
• Weekly or monthly healthy meal plans with grocery lists for the busy cook.
• Supplier of a variety of quality cooking utensils & equipment, e.g. Wizbake reusable baking sheets, silicone bakeware, etc.
• Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.

Read more about Cooking Up a Storm.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions.

Happy cooking!

Jeanri

The macaroon, often referred to as the “gem of French Pastries” is called French Macaroon to distinguish it from the coconut macaroon. A macaroon (macaron in French) is a sweet meringue-based confectionery or cookie that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is characterised by its smooth, domed top, ruffled circumference (referred to as the “foot”), and flat base. It is made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, ground almonds and food colouring. Macaroons can be found in a wide variety of flavors that range from the traditional raspberry, chocolate and coffee to the new flavours such as green tea, caramel with salt, olive oil with vanilla, passion fruit with chocolate, etc. The macaroon is commonly filled with a buttercream, ganach or jam which is sandwiched between two macaroons.

The first French macaroon was created in 1791 in a convent near Cormery in France.

The best places to find macaroons in South Africa are:

• The Patisserie, Rudd road, Illovo – (011) 268-0044

• Daniela’s Deliciously Decadent – 0860 bon bon (266 266) or 082 746 0034

• Cassis – (021) 461-6232 021 671-1305

• Biscuit Mill (ask for Bonaparte Flannery) – (021) 462-6361

• Sugar Mommy at Melissa’s – (021) 794-4696

• One & Only Patisserie – (021) 431-5222

• The Round House – (021) 438-4347

• Lucy’s Cake Shop and Vanille Café – (031) 717 2780/3/4

Source: Woolworths Taste Mag

Easter Recipes

Chocorico! henhouse made entirely of chocolate:

A chocolate hen with zebra stripes (Poule drôle de zèbre):

A skeletal chocolate fish (Poisson X-ray), and a voracious fish filled with tiny chocolate life forms (Poisson vorace):

There are more chocolate shops in Paris – a whopping 300! – than in any other city in the world. From high-end, “designer” artisan-chocolatiers to well-known chains and smaller independent chocolatiers, chocolate shops are found in almost every neighbourhood in the city  (there are 20!). The first chocolate shop in Paris was opened in the 17th century.  The chocolate creations of Paris’s master artisan chocolatiers continue to amaze and delight us – no wonder they’re famous around the world.

Content adapted from www.chocoparis.com

The main destination of the tour was inspired by Julia Child (1912-2004), the well-known American cookery teacher and author of the popular cookery book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and the movie about her life in France, Julie & Julia.  Julia had her first French meal at La Couronne, a restaurant in Rouen, the capital of Normandy. “It was the most exciting meal of my life,” she wrote in her book “My Life in France”.

Her comment is quite understandable, because Normandy is truly a food lover’s paradise!  As can be expected of a region boasting both an extensive coastline and a fertile interior, the range of produce on offer in Normandy is varied and rich, making Norman cooking one of the grand cuisines of France.  The cuisine of Normandy is simple, but rich – thanks to the generous use of butter and cream – and is a harmonious reflection of this region which is dotted with ancient villages and acres of apple orchards.

While eating and drinking your way through France, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and culture and visit some of the top sites and attractions in Normandy and Paris.  See the itinerary below for more information.  Please contact me for a Booking Form and the Terms and Conditions of the tour.

Tour price: from R22 591.00 per person.

The tour package is based on current availability and rates as well as on 16 guests traveling together. The tour price is therefore subject to change, based on the following variables:

• Fluctuations in the rate of exchange
• Stability of flight and accommodation costs at the time of payment
• The size of the group traveling together, i.e. the price per person for a group of 13 people will be R25 469.00 and for a group of 16 people will be R22 591.00.

Itinerary

Normandy Info

Paris Info

Not sure yet what to get your Valentine?  How about a trip to France, one of the most romantic destinations in the world (read more below), or a gift voucher for a cooking lesson? Read more …

Earlier this week, I was asked to share one of my favourite recipes with Amore Bekker on her afternoon radio show “Tjailatyd” on RSG. The recipe I shared was for a French dessert called Clafoutis (pronounced Kla-foo-tee). It is a classic French dessert, similar to a crustless “Melk Tert”. It is quick, easy and simply delicious! Read more …

In this newsletter:

- Culinary Tour To Normandy, France

- Private Cooking Lessons

- Books and CD’s by Carolié de Koster

- Subscribe to our Website

- Services

CULINARY TOUR TO FRANCE

It is probably not a good idea to goto France this month – with min/max temperatures of 2 °C/5 °C! So rather spoil the special person in your life with a trip to France in June! The itinerary of the tour has been chosen with great care and designed for people who love and appreciate good food, e.g. foodies. In his book “The Official Foodie Handbook”, Paul Levy defines a foodie as follows: “Foodies are people who are very, very, very interested in food. For them, the only activity that comes close to eating is talking about eating.” If you regard yourself as the latter, be sure to join us! While eating and drinking your way through France, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Normandy and visit some of the top sites and attractions in the region. We will also spend two full days in Paris, the city of love!

If you haven’t booked yet, be sure to do it as soon as possible. Or if you won’t be able to join us this time, but you know of someone who might be interested, please forward this e-mail to them. It might be just what they need!

A deposit of R3000.00 is payable upon booking on or before 18 February 2012. Couples and singletons welcome! Read more…

PRIVATE COOKING LESSONS – IN YOUR OWN KITCHEN!

If planning meals and cooking for your family is driving you up the wall, and you would like to hand the responsibility over to your domestic worker, all you need to do is tell me when and where and you will never have to worry about it again! The lessons take place in your own kitchen and are tailor-made, i.e. you just need to tell me what you want to learn to cook! Read more…

Have a look at what satisfied customers had to say about my cooking lessons.  Read more …

BOOKS & CD’s BY CAROLIé DE KOSTER

Carolié’s Art Of Cooking Recipe Book and Art Of Cooking CD can be ordered through me.  Read more …

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COOKING UP A STORM WEBSITE TO GET MORE!

By subscribing to the website, you will get free access to the latest news on our own and other foodie events like Food Shows, as well as blogs on food related topics, recipes, cooking tips & hints, etc. the moment we post it on the website. Please note, even if you are currently receiving our monthly newsletter, you still need to subscribe to the Cooking Up A Storm website to receive updates. The subscribe option is at the top right of every page.

SERVICES

• Tailor-made private cooking lessons – in your own kitchen!  For yourself, your kids or your domestic worker.
• Cookery demonstrations on a variety of topics (in your own house if you prefer!)
• Hands-on cookery sessions for social, corporate or staff training.
• Recipe development
• Motivational talks and individual consultations on healthy eating.
• Weekly or monthly healthy meal plans with grocery lists for the busy cook.
• Supplier of a variety of quality cooking utensils & equipment, e.g. Wizbake reusable baking sheets, silicone bakeware, etc.
• Kitchen accessory, bakeware and gadget demonstrations.

Read more about Cooking Up a Storm.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions.

Happy cooking!

Jeanri

Best Ever Chocolate Brownies