Published on May 8, 2026

Forget fancy cookbooks – the real kitchen hacks are passed down with love (and a dash of sass) from moms. The MK team shares some of their mothers’ most treasured tips and tricks that continue to inspire their cooking today.    Sjaan van der Ploeg, Deputy Food Editor  An overarching theme of my mom’s cooking over the years […]

Published on May 8, 2026

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin’s roast leg of lamb – a recipe rooted in cherished childhood traditions around the family table and created to bring loved ones together in a meaningful way.    Long before she was running the kitchens at Tryn and Bistro Sixteen82 at Steenberg Farm in Cape Town, Chef Kerry Kilpin’s love of food was […]

Published on May 7, 2026

Indulgent flavours and hearty portions make this combo a steakhouse comfort classic.    Smoky BBQ pork ribs & cheesy loaded fries Serves 4    Ingredients   2kg raw pork spare ribs Salt and milled pepper 1 Tbsp butter 1 shallot, diced (or use red onion) 3-4 cloves garlic, sliced 2 Tbsp smoked paprika ½-1 tsp chilli flakes (optional) 1 cup BBQ sauce    […]

Published on May 4, 2026

Add as much Parmesan as you can afford – it can never really be too much! For added protein, serve topped with sliced chicken breast.    Green risotto with cheap-n-cheerful pesto Serves 4    Ingredients 300g baby marrow 3 Tbsp (45ml) olive oil blend Salt and milled pepper 2 onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 4 sprigs thyme (optional) 1½ cups (300g) Arborio or risotto […]

Published on April 30, 2026

This smoky relish works well with pap, eggs or braai meat.  Breakfast sandwiches with red pepper relish Makes 2 cups relish/ Serves 4  Ingredients For the relish 4 red peppers, charred and skinned Glug olive or canola oil 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped ½ cup red wine vinegar ½ cup sugar 2 Tbsp smoked paprika 1 tsp chilli flakes 3 Tbsp chutney Salt and milled pepper For the sandwiches 8 thick-cut bread slices Butter, for spreading […]

Published on April 30, 2026

The mince almost caramelises by rendering out the fat while cooking in the lip-smacking sauce. The golden rule is to never overcrowd your pan.    Asian mushroom & mince stir-fry Serves 3-4    Ingredients 3 Tbsp canola oil 300g mixed mushrooms 150g pork mince or pork sausage meat 400g beef mince Salt and milled pepper 2 tsp grated ginger 4 cloves garlic, grated 2 Thai red chillies, deseeded and sliced […]

Published on April 28, 2026

Also known as shokupan or Hokkaido milk bread, this ancient Japanese bread is known for its extremely soft, buttery interior.  The key to this pillowy bread is the ‘tangzhong’, a water roux made by cooking flour, water and milk together until thick. The addition of tangzhong results in a bread with a higher moisture retention, making it super delicate and dreamy.   Milk bread Makes 3 mini loaves or 12 small […]

Published on April 28, 2026

As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing more soul-soothing than a steaming bowl of stew. These comforting stew recipes are your ticket to cosy evenings and warm gatherings this chilly season.    Classic tomato bredie   Serves 6-8    Ingredients   For the bredie   800g-1kg beef shin, knuckles or neck (mutton or Iamb works well, too) Salt […]

Published on April 23, 2026

As you bite into the truffle, you’ll experience a thin crack, smooth filling as well as a zing of berries. For a melt-in-your mouth moment, serve truffles at room temperature.    Chocolate raspberry truffles Makes 12  Ingredients For the berry compote:  1 cup (200g) frozen raspberries 1 Tbsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp sugar For the truffle mixture 300g dark chocolate 2 […]

Published on April 23, 2026

Fluffy, robust and easy to make, the dough can be divided up to make sandwich rolls, or halve the recipe to make 1 loaf.  Farm-style white bread Makes 2 x 30cm round loaves    Ingredients 2 cups (500ml) tepid water 2 Tbsp (26g) sugar 1 Tbsp (10g) instant yeast ¼ cup (60ml) oil 5 cups (750g) cake flour 1½ tsp (7.5ml) salt     Method Stir together water, […]