Published on August 31, 2025

Who can resist a flaky, buttery pastry? From savoury pies to sweet layers, these pastry bakes are peak comfort in every crumb.  Tomato tartlets with Camembert fondue   Ingredients   1 Tbsp (15ml) butter 1 Tbsp (15ml) olive oil blend + extra for drizzling 2 onions, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, finely grated 1 roll (400g) […]

Published on August 28, 2025

Turn up the heat with these spicy and delicious curries. These comforting, flavour-packed dishes are the ultimate cure for winter gloom.  Sweet potato brinjal curry Serves 4-6 Ingredients ½ cup olive or canola oil 600g baby brinjals, roughly chopped 1 onion, chopped  1 tsp cumin seeds  5 cloves garlic, chopped  2cm knob grated ginger 1 chilli, deseeded […]

Published on August 25, 2025

These dinner heroes serve up hearty helpings using just one pan. The best part? You won’t have a sink full of dirty dishes!   Fragrant one-pot coconut & tomato soup  Serves 4   Ingredients  2½ Tbsp coconut oil 1½ cups baby tomatoes 1 onion, finely chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced  3cm […]

Published on August 19, 2025

You know that Sunday roast chicken that smells like pure happiness when you take it out of the oven? It’s going to do a double shift – well, a triple one actually! One simple chook can easily be transformed into three quick, inexpensive meals. Consider it the secret weapon of your weeknight meal plan!  Butter Roasted […]

Published on August 18, 2025

What is it about chicken soup that mellows and mends us? Christi Nortier asked three local cooks how they make this universal soother and what it has meant in their life, kitchen and community.  Chicken pho for breakfast, lunch & dinner   Anytime you go into Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food, you’ll find a huge pot […]

Published on August 15, 2025

Sip on this refreshing berry and thyme fizz, sweetened to perfection with Selati castor sugar, for a delightful burst of flavour in every sparkling sip.  Berry and thyme fizz  Serves 8   Every sip sparkles in this berry and thyme fizz, made to dazzle with a Selati Castor Snow syrup.   Ingredients  For the berry syrup:   2 […]

Published on August 14, 2025

The latest craze in the MK Test Kitchen is hot pots. We explore the vibrant, flavourful world of this cooking style, reviewing Asian-inspired dishes to learn about all their distinctive components.  Did you know? The Sichuan province in southwest China is where the Sichuan hot pot first originated. People used to congregate around a simmering […]

Published on August 14, 2025

Some ingredients are so strong that adding a mere pinch results in a pretty explosive bite! Sjaan van der Ploeg highlights her favourites —and they all pack a mighty punch.  Brown butter PB & J cookies   Makes 12-14 cookies   The addition of lemon juice stops the butter from over browning as well as burning.  […]

Published on August 12, 2025

Airy, smooth buttercream is contrasted with crisp brandy snaps – with a lace-like design – and crunchy popcorn. This cake sets the scene for an unforgettably bold party!  Caramel crunch cake recipe  Serves 14-16 Ingredients 3 boxes (500g each) Ina Paarman chocolate cake mix (+ ingredients listed on the box)  2 cans (385g each) caramel […]

Published on August 11, 2025

A grown-up delight that takes this cool American treat to new heights. Beetroot & berry burst pop tarts Makes 10 Ingredients For the jam filling  200g mixed frozen berries ¾ cup beetroot juice  ¾ cup sugar  1 lime, zested and juiced  2 rolls (400g each) short crust pastry, defrosted Flour, for dusting 1 egg, whisked, […]