We’re loving burgers at the moment, and all the flavours you can try with this versatile food. These Thai style burgers pack a spicy punch you’ll love.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 25 min

INGREDIENTS
8 green beans, quartered
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tsp wasabi powder
4 hamburger buns, sliced and toasted
¼ cucumber, sliced
4 beef patties, braaied
2 red chillies, sliced
¼ cup peanuts, toasted and chopped

METHOD
1. Steam the green beans until slightly soft.
2. Whisk together the mayonnaise and wasabi.
3. Spread some wasabi mayo on a bun. Top with cucumber and a patty.
4. Garnish with beans, chillies, peanuts and more wasabi mayo.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Andreas Eiselen/HMimages.co.za

The post Thai style burgers appeared first on MyKitchen.

These Asian-inspired honey-and-garlic-baked cauliflower wings work well as a unique and flavourful side dish, that is also quick and easy to make.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 40 min

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp butter
1 cauliflower head, broken into florets and cut into ½ cm slices
4 cloves garlic cloves, sliced
4 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 spring onions, sliced, to garnish
Toasted black and white sesame seeds, to garnish

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. In an ovenproof pot, fry the cauliflower and garlic briefly in the butter. Add the honey and soy sauce, and combine well.
3. Transfer the pot to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden and sticky.
4. Garnish with spring onion and sesame seeds and serve.

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This popular overseas treat promises not to disappoint! New York-style coffee cake is known for its tasty crumbly topping, and we think we got it perfect with this recipe.

SERVES 6 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 10 min

INGREDIENTS
For the topping
115 g butter, melted
155 g brown sugar
1 tbsp coffee granules
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch salt
220 g flour
For the cake
315 g flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
¾ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
300 g caster sugar
170 g butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 vanilla pod, seeds only
½ cup strong filter coffee, hot
Icing sugar, to dust

METHOD
For the topping
1. Combine the melted butter, sugar, coffee, cinnamon and salt.
2. Add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Refrigerate.
For the cake
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Prep a 23 cm spring-form tin.
2. Sift the flour, bicarb, baking powder and salt together.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the sugar and butter until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until well blended.
5. Add buttermilk and vanilla seeds, and combine. Add flour mixture slowly, folding until just incorporated after each addition
6. Pour the batter into the tin and spread gently with a knife.
7. Crumble the topping over the batter, spreading evenly. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool.
8. Before serving, pour over the hot filter coffee, then dust with icing sugar.

The post New York-style coffee cake appeared first on MyKitchen.

Gaining kitchen confidence can be quite a tricky business. It may be your kitchen, but who’s to say you’re using it to your full potential? Not everyone likes to cook, it can be stressful and things can get messy quickly. However, if you’re comfortable with your recipes and get to know your own cooking style, things may turn around for you. Here are three easy ways to become the master of your kitchen.

By Mikaela Kagan

1. FIND RECIPES YOU LIKE

It’s pointless trying to learn how to cook something that you’re not going to eat. If you’re not familiar with a dish or how it should taste, you’re not going to put all your energy into producing the best to your ability. Once you’ve mastered your recipe/s, invite friends over for a meal and show them that you can cook one hell of a dish.

2. KNOW YOUR KITCHEN

Part of cooking is learning how to be efficient and organised in the kitchen. Before diving in head first, make sure you know where all of your ingredients are as well as your cooking utensils. It’s also important to get comfortable with your chopping knife so you can learn how to use it effectively and safely (let’s face it, nobody likes a bloody finger). Plus, your dish will look more professional with immaculately chopped up ingredients!

3. PREPARE A TIME SCHEDULE

The longer it takes to make a dish, the more daunting it becomes when you know you have to make it again. Try not to let the little things take up too much time. The more you practise, the more familiar you will become with the recipe. If you’re new to cooking, don’t put yourself under pressure. Allow yourself to become familiar with your recipe and surroundings, then progress to a time limit.

The more time you spend in the kitchen, the more confidence you will gain. Cooking is about trial and error – not everyone gets the recipe spot on their first try. Another great thing about cooking a recipe over and over again is that you can start altering it to suit you. Soon, you will become familiar with what tastes good, and the kitchen will become your playground. Maybe even play a little tune in the background if it keeps you relaxed and focused.

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