28 February 2011

Easy Mojito Recipe


There is nothing as refreshing as a Mojito when the days are hot and steamy.There must be something about the combination of the fresh lime, fresh mint, a hint of sweetness and that tiny tingly bubbles that is totally irresistable to me!

Now don't get discouraged, it is really really easy to make a Mojito.

Here is my Easy Mojito Recipe for everyone who asked and for all you Mojito fans out there!


Mojito
EASY MOJITO RECIPE

1 tot (25ml) or 1oz White Rum
12 Mint leaves
1 large Lime or 2 small limes - cut into wedges
1 tot (25ml) or 1 oz fresh Lime juice
1 tbsp Sugar syrup *
Soda water (Club soda)

In a highball glass muddle Mint leaves, Lime wedges and Sugar syrup together. This will bring out all the flavours.
Add the Rum and fresh Lime juice and muddle all together.
Top off with Soda water.
Garnish with a sprig of mint and some lime slices.


Nothing can be easier. Enjoy!




* You can make your own Easy Sugar Syrup. Put 2 cups of sugar in a jug, then pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over it. Stirr until all the sugar granules has disolved and you are left with a syrup. It can keep in the fridge for a long time and you can use it in all sorts of cocktails. I put mine a squeezy bottle, and it works great!


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09 February 2011

How to make your own Amarula Cream



I love a beautiful sunset and probably have a million photos of sunsets that I have taken all over, but the most beautiful sunsets are no doubt the ones in the African bush.
There is nothing better than  to watch a gorgeous sunset while sitting at a watering hole somewhere in the African bush watching the animals and sipping an ice cold Amarula Cream.

 
African Sunset

Kalahari Sunset
Life doesn’t get much sweeter than this!

Except when you can make your own Amarula…


Homemade Amarula Cream

 AMARULA CREAM

1 tbsp coffee
8 shots whiskey
1 can condensed milk
200ml full cream
1 tsp honey

Use good quality coffee. If you are using instant coffee, heat up some of the full cream and add the coffee to it. If you are using grounded coffee, make about 100ml of very very strong coffee. Let it cool. Add the whiskey, condensed milk, full cream and honey and mix well. Pour into a bottle and leave in the fridge for 7 days. Shake it daily.

Makes 1x750ml bottle
You might want to double up as it will go fast!!!






Now if you have never heard of or tasted Amarula Cream, you are definitely missing out. Amarula Cream is a South African liqueur that is made from the exotic Marula fruit. It is a delicious creamy drink that can be enjoyed anywhere!  
The Marula fruit is famed for making elephants a bit “tipsy” as they like to eat the Marula fruit that has fallen off the trees and fermented in the sun.
I don't use the Marula fruit in my Amarula - it's a bit more difficult and I might just have to fight an elephant for enough fruit to make a bottle, but my homemade Amarula is pretty close!

Go ahead and try it - indulge your tastebuds!





02 February 2011

Mango Achar

My friend Hanna has a really cool maid who taught her how to make this amazing Mauritian Achar. This inspired me to try and make some of my own, as the recipe is Mango based and because I still have tons of Mangoes to be creative with.

I did modify the ingredients slightly to suite my taste. The Mautitians love their chilli and put double the amount of chilli in theirs, but I am not quite as brave (yet). If you like yours spicier add more chilli or leave the pips in.















MANGO ACHAR


3 large green mangoes (they must be green and not ripe)
3 green chillies - deseased
6 dried red chillies
2 tbsp sugar
125ml olive oil
50ml lemon juice
2 garlic cloves - grated
1 tbsp mustard seeds
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp corriander
1 tsp black pepper
salt to taste

Peel the mangoes and then grate them. Mix the spices, sugar, oil and lemon juice together in a blender till fine. Pour the spice mixture over the grated mangoes and mix well. Put into clean container. You can eat it straight away, but it gets much better when you leave it for a few days.

Makes 1 jar (about 400ml).
Keeps well in the fridge.

This achar is very very good and not oily like the ones you buy in the shop. It has a great fresh taste and goes well with everything. My guine pigs love this one!