Yes, I’m back, only online unfortunately, but better than nothing! Hope you all agree. It seems ages since I last wrote and since then winter is definitely making its appearance, especially first thing in the morning with temperatures dipping to single digits. Last week Thursday as I was leaving for the office, I saw the first frost of the season in Glenvista.
Lovely colour for winter
I see the colour burgundy is making a huge comeback for this season and it’s such a beautiful rich colour and one which suits most skin tones. Treat yourself to a little something. You’re worth it!
Spicy beef cakes in tomato sauce
This is a simple, tasty recipe which isn’t too expensive to make. Ideal for a week night.
Ingredients
Two slices of bread, crusts removed, broken into pieces
450g minced beef
One onion, peeled and finely chopped
One tablespoon tomato puree
One tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
A pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
Flour for coating
Two tablespoons vegetable oil
One can (225g) of tomato sauce
Half teaspoon dried oregano or basil
Sour cream or plain yoghurt (unsweetened)
Method
Put the bread in a small bowl and cover with water. Leave to stand for 10 minutes, then squeeze dry. Mix the bread with the beef, onion, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
Form the mixture into eight flat cakes, then coat in flour. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the beef cakes and fry over high heat for five minutes on each side. Lower the heat and pour over the sauce. Sprinkle with the oregano or basil. Cover and cook for about 25 minutes, then spoon over the sour cream or yoghurt. Serve with rice, buttered noodles or couscous.
New on the block – @The Courtyard
If you were a fan of Vera Vita Italian restaurant, situated on the corner of Rifle Range Road and Joachim Street in Haddon, I’m sure you were extremely disappointed over the last few months with the restaurant’s closure due to renovations.
Great news, @The Courtyard opened towards the end of March and if you haven’t been there yet, you are certainly in for a surprise. Still owned by Angelo and Kim Caporrino, one word which describes the restaurant is ‘wow’!
I popped in last week, unannounced I may add, and was pleasantly surprised at how spacious and open the restaurant is. There’s nothing pokey about @The Courtyard and the décor can best be described as contemporary/metro, with various shades of grey and black, yet it still retains a warm atmosphere with wooden tables and dining chairs, interspersed with upholstered dining chairs in grey fabric.
The walls are decorated with black-and-white prints as well as spiritually uplifting artworks.
If you were a regular at Vera Vita, you may have enjoyed the previous dining area which was divided into smaller seating spaces. @The Courtyard has maintained “a small dining alcove” for those who wish to enjoy an intimate dinner or a small dinner with friends. It can comfortably seat six diners, stretching to eight. A few couches strategically placed give @The Courtyard a relaxing feel where you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks by the well-stocked bar.
Enjoy a meal outside in the courtyard
The outside courtyard is shaded with cream umbrellas and towards the bottom of the lower area, trees, plants and shrubs make for a tranquil setting. Our winters in SA still make it viable for eating al fresco.
Angelo describes the menu as Italian with a slight twist. When I arrived, he was in the kitchen overseeing a delicious Napoletana sauce being prepared in true Italian fashion. The aroma was divine.
A few light lunch dishes have been added to the menu, which are perfect for when you aren’t feeling too peckish.
I don’t always feel bathrooms are worth mentioning, but I took a peek just before I left and was really impressed. They’ve gone for the same sleek black tiles, white basins and wooden pedestals. Overall, very swish.
@The Courtyard is open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sundays for lunch and is closed on Mondays. Bookings can be made on 011 434 1019.
With secure parking which is always an asset, the restaurant is easily located to most areas in the South and is well worth a visit. I think you are going to love @The Courtyard.
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