Recipe - South African Buttermilk Rusks

A bowl of plain flavoured Ouma Rusks from South Africa - Photo: Wikimedia

Rusks in South Africa are part of the cultural identity – one of the things that exiles in a foreign land long for. Children are brought up on Rooibos tea (a herbal bush tea) and rusks. These aren’t the pallid soggy affairs that pass for risks in the UK - Farley's rusks given to teething infants and guaranteed to coat your entire house with a paste of gooey glop. South African rusks are of a texture somewhere between bread and cake, with extra bits of raisin or nuts, baked hard so that they must be dunked in tea or else gnawed slowly. They last a long time in an airtight tin, so are baked in big batches but even so, they don’t last long in our house.

As an Englishwoman married to a South African living in London, I came across rusks on our visits to his family and was instantly converted. ‘Ouma’s Rusks’ are the famous ones that come in several varieties and we always came home with a few packs in our suitcase. On a longer visit in a cottage in Philadelphia, near Cape Town, I found a recipe to bake my own rusks, tried it and have been baking them every two weeks pretty much ever since.

When our son was a toddler waking at 5.30 every morning, the only thing that made the morning bearable was the thought of tea and rusks. Our son started off on them early and our sofa became a nest of cushions and crumbs. The first thing he ever helped bake was rusks and I always had my patience tried, as the mix became the scene of excavations with diggers or a castle with a moat. The girls also joined in when they were old enough, so for a time, I had three children all wrestling to get their hands in the dough. Now the youngest is adept at making balls the right size and I have a band of useful helpers. So rusks have become part of our family culture too, my children may have missed out on the rooibos tea tradition – (I love it, they hate it) but at least they were brought up properly as regards rusks!

Several friends in London were smitten, asked for the recipe and started baking and it has since been dispersed as far afield as Pakistan and the USA.

The recipe:

South African Buttermilk Rusks

1.240kg / 2lb12oz flour (I use 1kg wholemeal and the rest white)

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 teaspoons of salt

250g / 9oz butter

½ cup raisins (optional)

2 eggs

1 ½ cups brown sugar 

2 cups buttermilk

1 cup oil

(1 cup=250ml)

Preheat the oven to 190C/380F

Grease three loaf tins of base measurement 20cmx10cm / 8”x 4” approx or any combination of deep baking dish that adds up to about the same.

In a large mixing bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and salt. Cut the butter into small cubes and rub into the flour. Add the raisins if you are using them. You can experiment with various nuts and seeds as well, though the rusks are equally good plain. 

In another bowl mix together the buttermilk, sugar, eggs and oil and beat until well combined. Stir liquid into dry ingredients and mix then knead to a firm dough. 

Form the dough into balls about the size of a ping-pong ball and pack them tightly in one layer into the loaf tins. I usually get six rows of three into each of my tins. Bake for 45 minutes. 

Turn out onto a rack and leave to cool for 30 minutes before breaking up into individual rusks along the joins of the balls. Dry in a low oven 100C/200F for 4-5 hours until the centre is completely dry. These can be kept for ages in an airtight container.

Warning: crumbs guaranteed on the sofa, in the bed, over the carpet and the car seats!

Copyright 2006 Kit Heathcock

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A Few Tips For The Indoor Gardener

Herbs - Photo: Pixabay

While all plants are quite apt to prosper indoors, they do need more or less the same conditions to grow as outdoor plants do. These conditions are a good supply of fresh air, proper sunlight, water and

nutrients such as plant food commonly known as ‘fertilizer’.

We will include here a few tips that are sure to make your indoor plants grow healthier and add beauty to your surroundings.

Ever notice how plants will face the source of sunlight? This is because the sun is the main source of their nutrition. Plant leaves change water and nutrition from the soil to food through a process called ‘photosynthesis’.

A couple of hours of sunlight is a must for your indoor plants. If you do not have a place where you can have adequate sunlight, and cannot move the plants you should consider purchasing a couple of indoor gardening lights.

Ordinary lights will not do. Indoor gardening lights provide enough of ultraviolet light to nourish the

plants.

Provide adequate water to your plants. Your indoor plants need ‘room temperature’ water to survive. Do not over water the plants, most plants die due to a lack of water or a surplus of it than they do for any other reason.

Follow a rule of thumb, like you test a cake you should pierce a knitting needle into a plant container. If the needle goes in with ease the soil is just the right dampness, if not increase the quantity of water a bit.

Fertilizers are also important, once a fortnight add a scoop of indoor plant fertilizer to your plant pot.

Used tea leaves are also a very good supply of nutrition to your plant.

Follow these simple tricks and you will see your indoor garden prospering very soon.

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BLOODY MARY Recipe Contest Attempts to Set World Record

Both the largest and the meatiest bloody mary I've ever had. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Creating the perfect Bloody Mary cocktail is a lot like nurturing a fine wine. It takes time, creativity and experimentation until the ingredients are just right. But once those elements come together, it's pure bliss for the creator and those lucky enough to share a sip of their secret concoction.

There are countless Bloody Mary recipes, which is what makes this cocktail one of the most celebrated around the world. Depending on where your travels lead, you will find everything from horseradish and hot sauce to wasabi, jalapeno peppers and prawns in the mix. The only common ingredient in every recipe (besides vodka) is passion from those who create and consume this time-tested cocktail. 

"The recipes for a Bloody Mary cocktail are like snowflakes - no two are alike," said Jennie Meador, a spokesperson for Finlandia Vodka and judge for the brand's annual Bloody Mary recipe contest. "Everyone thinks their recipe is the best, which is why we bring people together once a year and learn about the different approaches being taken to the cocktail."

Finlandia Vodka is now accepting recipes for its annual Bloody Mary recipe contest. This year, Finlandia is looking for recipes that have unique ingredients that make your Bloody Mary a one-of-a-kind cocktail. The grand-prize winner will receive $1,000 and special recognition when Finlandia attempts to create the world's largest Bloody Mary cocktail.

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"What better way to celebrate the Bloody Mary than by creating the world's largest glass of it?" Meador said. "Whoever wins this year's contest may get to work with our mixologists to calculate their recipe into the world's largest Bloody Mary. And then, of course, we'll all have to help drink it." 

The Bloody Mary cocktail has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Once thought of as only for brunch, it is now served throughout the day at bars, restaurants and in people's homes. 

The Bloody Mary was first created in 1930 and became a true classic cocktail among Americans. It's the second-most consumed drink besides beer at tailgates and sports gatherings today, making vodka a popular spirit for entertaining or celebrating.

Different Vegetable Gardening Styles

Gardening - Photo: Pixabay

Each gardener has his own set of characteristics that make him fit for certain gardening styles. If you know yourself and the right gardening style that will fit your rearing of your organic garden and help you yield your vegetables effectively, then you have pretty much gotten an edge over other gardening enthusiasts. But what are the different types of gardening that you can look out for? Here are some of the types that you can consider: 

Residential Gardening

This is the most common of all gardening techniques. If you are just a beginner and not yet inclined to produce vegetables for industrial reasons, then residential gardening is for you. The primary purpose of residential gardening is to sustain a family or two of a steady supply of vegetables and at the same time, render aesthetic appeal to your backyard. 

Residential gardening does not require too much space. It can also be cultivated in window sills, balconies and other small areas that have sufficient light source, easy to monitor and at the same time, easy to maintain or free from pests. The good thing about residential gardening is the ease with which it ushers the gardening wannabe from having no knowledge of planting to expanding to other gardening styles, whichever deems the fancy of the budding gardener. 

Specialized Gardening

Specialized gardening involves non-residential areas that are known for its green quality and are often marketed as such. Parks, botanical gardens, amusement parks and other tourist attractions fall under this category. Often a staff is required to maintain due to its size so effective administrative skills on top of gardening expertise may be required. It is also tailored for delivering in profit to certain causes or organizations.

Impact Gardening

If you are up to the challenge of blocking weeds with minimal costs, then impact gardening is for you. It involves using a relatively small space and maximizing its gardening potential. The plants are often crowded together. 

Indoor Gardening

Residential gardening is under the huge scope of indoor gardening. Other types under this category include the gardens of conservatories, greenhouses and academic institutions. Systems for heating and air conditioning may also be found in certain breeds of plants. If you are the type of gardener who really loves cultivating plants in and out of season, then indoor gardening is for you. 

Water Gardening

If you want to garden with minimal supervision and love water organisms, then water gardening is for you. This is a bit of a challenge for most gardeners because it usually doesn't involve the initial conditions of other traditional gardening techniques. The novelty of water gardening appeals only to those who have ample water facilities to cultivate this type of gardening style. 

Community Gardening

If you are motivated by group efforts, community gardening may be for you. It involves concentrated efforts of the different members of the community to be able to help make a greener place. It involves a huge scope, but the members of the community are given autonomy to style their areas in whichever way they choose.

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Devil Up an Angelic Appetizer

Deviled Eggs - Photo: Wikimedia

Deviled eggs have earned their niche in the finger-food hall of fame. One of the reasons they're so popular is that they can be varied in so many ways. For your next barbecue, patio party or picnic, why not go beyond the traditional filling flavorings of mayo, mustard and pickle relish? Experiment with a little taco sauce and chili powder or Parmesan cheese and pesto to create your own signature deviled eggs. 

For mussless, fussless deviled eggs, simply place the yolks in a 1-quart plastic food-storage bag along with other filling ingredients. Gently squeeze the air out of the bag and seal the bag. Knead until everything is smooth and well blended. When you're ready to fill the egg white halves, push the yolk mixture toward a corner of the bag and snip about 1/2 inch off the corner. Squeezing the bag gently, fill the egg whites with the yolk mixture. If you're pressed for time, prepare the deviled egg mixture the day before and refrigerate it right in the bag. In addition to the prepare-ahead convenience, this will allow time for the flavors to blend. 

To tote your eggs to a gathering, pack the egg white halves in a separate sealed container from the bagged yolk mixture. Transport both containers in an insulated bag or cooler with ice or commercial coolant to keep the eggs cold (40 degrees F or lower). Pack a small set of scissors to cut off the bag corner so you can pipe the yolk mixture into the egg white halves on site.

No inspiration for a new deviled egg creation? Then, add a refreshing pizzazz to your eggs with sour cream, cucumber, and dill. Whichever deviled egg recipe you choose, the eggs will be a welcome alternative to deep-fat-fried snack foods.

Dilly Deviled Eggs - 6 appetizer servings

1/2 cup shredded cucumber (about 1 medium)
1 teaspoon salt
6 hard-cooked eggs*
1/4 cup dairy sour cream
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
Carrot, radish and celery garnishes, 

optional: 

Thoroughly combine cucumber and salt. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain well, pressing out excess liquid. Set aside. Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and set whites aside. Mash yolks with a fork. Blend in sour cream and dill weed. Stir in drained cucumber. Refill whites, using one heaping tablespoon yolk mixture for each half. Garnish platter with vegetable garnishes, if desired.

*To hard-cook, place eggs in single layer in a saucepan. Add enough tap water to come at least 1 inch above eggs. Cover. Quickly bring just to boiling. Turn off heat. If necessary, remove the pan from burner to prevent further boiling. Let eggs stand, covered, in the hot water about 15 minutes for Large eggs (12 minutes for Medium, 18 for Extra Large). Immediately run cold water over eggs or put them in ice water until completely cooled. 

To remove shell, crackle it by tapping gently all over. Roll egg between hands to loosen shell. Peel, starting at large end. Hold egg under running cold water or dip in a bowl of water to help ease off the shell.

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EUCALYPTUS

 Eucalyptus pauciflora flowering near Corley, England - Photo: Wikimedia

Eucalyptus is an aromatic herb that has properties that provide great relief as a decongestant and an expectorant. For centuries Vick's which is made as a Eucalyptus rub is applied to the back and chest of a person who has a common cold or any other respiratory distress. It is known to loosen the mucus in the chest so that it can be coughed up and expelled. 

Eucalyptus also has some antibiotic association with it. Eucalyptus has both internal and external uses. Internally it is the leaves that are used for herbal teas that are able to assist people by acting as a diuretic, an anti-diabetic and also has some anti-tumor properties. The Eucalyptus oils are almost never used internally or ingested but on the rare occasion, a doctor might use a minuscule amount of nasal congestion, bronchial disease, and other respiratory problems. 

Externally, Eucalyptus is used as a vapor rub and while it is recommended that it be rubbed on the chest and back area it is also good for inhalation in such ways as steam vaporizers. Some even boil water and drop a teaspoon of vapor rub into it so an ill person can breathe in the fumes which will help to break up the congestion in the lungs. Quite often people have used the very same rub for sprains, bruises, and muscle aches and pains. 

Never underestimate the power of Eucalyptus oil as it can be beneficial for many reasons. First, it is a very powerful antiseptic, it is used to treat pyorrhea which is a gum disease. It is often used to treat burns too. One thing you can bank on is that insects do not like Eucalyptus so if you mix some with water and put it in a spray bottle you can be sure that bugs will stay away. A small drop on the tip of the tongue is said to take away nausea. Many people will soak a cloth in Eucalyptus and put them in their pantries or closets to fend off bugs and roaches. Another quick tip is a few sniffs of Eucalyptus is said to help someone who has fainted and when mixed with cinnamon is known to alleviate the symptoms of the flu. 

Eucalyptus is also commonly used for aromatherapy too because when mixed with other oils it is extremely beneficial. The effects of Eucalyptus are stimulating and balancing and the scent is very woody. For the purposes of aromatherapy, it blends well with Juniper, Lavender, and Marjoram. Eucalyptus, when used in aromatherapy, does the body good as it helps to relieve mental fatigue, improves mental clarity and alertness, sharpens the senses, refreshes and revives, stimulating, energizing.

It also has great effects on the body as it feels cooling; it relieves pain and sore muscles, breaks up congestion and reduces inflammation. Eucalyptus incorporated with aromatherapy offers pure enjoyment. Inhaling the fragrance of Eucalyptus can reduce stress and lessen depression. It makes for an overall sense of better well being. Eucalyptus is great for both bathing and also for massage oils. 

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"MELKKOS", another South African great

Melkkos - Photo: Freerecipehub

"Melkkos" is one of my favorite dishes ever. I do honestly not know what it is called in English, but if I had to translate it, it would be something like milk food. It is a dish with its main ingredient being milk, to which you add some flour and butter.

It is a great traditional dish that can be enjoyed all year round. Try it in the winter, it warms you up from the inside! Nothing tastes nicer than a bowl of “melkkos”, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar on the top.

What can be nicer, I ask you all! If you have never tried it, I would say it is time.

Ingredients:
1 cup of flour
1 1/2 tablespoons of hard butter
A pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups of milk

Method:
1. Rub the butter in with the flour, using your fingers. Add the salt and mix some more.
2. Bring the milk to the boil on the stove and add the butter and flour mixture a little bit at a time.
3. Turn the heat right down and let it boil for about 5 minutes. Make sure you stir the mixture often.
4. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the top and enjoy it warm!

You will not be disappointed with this recipe. Try and enjoy. Believe me, you will.

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