Five seed cracker with rosemary & paprika
Packed with goodness! Enjoy this as a healthy alternative to a salty cracker or packet of chips. Use as a lunch box filler, a snack or even as a salad sprinkle to add some crunch – perfect for the upcoming festive season.
Spanakopita
Phyllo parcels with a filling of spinach and feta are a very popular Greek dish and utterly delicious. Whether you plan to serve it as a starter, snack or as part of a festive table, be ready for the oo’s and aa’s from your guests. Click for the English and Afrikaans recipes.
Veerligte platbroodjies/ Feather-light flatbreads
Brood is baie algemeen op ’n Griekse tafel – dikwels om in ’n bykomstigheid te doop of ’n lekker sous mee op te vee. Hierdie veerligte platbroodjies met ’n jogurtbasis word met bakpoeier gemaak, wat baie vinniger as ’n gisweergawe is.
Hummus met ’n Griekse slaai-bolaag / Hummus loaded with Greek salad
Hummus (of hoemoes gespel en as ‘goemoes’ uitgespreek) is ’n bekende Griekse kekerertjie-‘patee’. Die veelsydige happie is heerlik om op soveel verskillende maniere te gebruik. Dis deesdae baie gewild en oral in supermarkte beskikbaar, maar min kan egter by ’n tuisgemaakte bakkie van dié gesonde lekkerte kersvashou.
This well-known, yet simple Middle Eastern chickpea condiment is super versatile and equally healthy – definitely more than just a dip for veggies. A good dollop of this oh-so-creamy, thick spread is divine on warm strips of pita, ciabatta or wholewheat toast. It’s typically combined with lamb or falafels in a pita or wrap, with fresh salad ingredients like cucumber, cabbage and tomato. What is your favourite way to enjoy hummus?
Homemade chakalaka
Nothing beats an aromatic homemade chakalaka. This tomato sauce or relish (tamatiesous or smoor, in Afrikaans) is a well-known and very popular accompaniment in South Africa, whether you enjoy it with braai meat (braaivleis), like steak, lamb or pork chops, boerewors (sausage) or pap (mealie pap). Chakalaka’s spicier flavour, with fresh ginger, curry powder, fresh chilli, and vegetables like onions and carrots is quite unique. Yes, chakalaka is available in South Africa in tinned form, but nothing beats a homemade version like this recipe. . Make a big batch of chakalaka to use in any of the delicious suggestions in the tips.
Barbecue sauce
A homemade sauce is much healthier than a shop-bought version as you know exactly what’s going into it. If you’ve been following me you would know my mantra ‘Homemade is best! by now’ Try this homemade, barbecue sauce (tamatiesmoor) recipe which is super versatile and can be used as a sauce with many different dishes.
Roasted beetroot & cottage cheese dip
This colourful dip can be served in so many ways. Whether you enjoy it as a dip, on a sandwich or in a pita or wrap with chicken and salad ingredients, it’s nutritious and so easy to make.
Nut & seed sprinkle
A basic green salad or tray of roasted veggies is turned into a feast with this quick-to-make nut & seed sprinkle. The combination of spices with the crunchy texture of the roasted nuts and seeds adds lots of flavour to a variety of dishes. Nuts and seeds are known as good sources of healthy fats, so make them a part of your meals in many creative ways.
Pickled red onions/ Gepiekelde rooi uie
Pickled onions are delicious on a sandwich, with avo on toast, on a burger, in a wrap or pita bread with falafels or cold meat, in a buddha or poke bowl or even in a salad. My secret weapon is having a jar of these in my fridge! Click here for the Afrikaans and English recipe.
Strawberry & vanilla jam
When it is berry season and you have them in abundance – make jam! My go-to is this strawberry jam recipe. Jam is normally very sweet, but you don’t need as much sugar in this recipe. The lemon juice helps to set the jam and the vanilla pod adds a wonderful flavour, making it more than just jam for toast or buttered bread. It goes well with French toast, waffles, crumpets and even for breakfast or dessert with yoghurt, fresh fruit and nuts. Spread it between two layers of butter cake or use it as a sauce for pudding.