Got out of bed the wrong side? Can’t find something to wear? Your hair is looking a mess and fastening your sandals is making you go crazy! This was me one morning last week. By the time I got into my car, drove out of the driveway and was listening to the radio, I decided I needed to go back in time (probably 20 or so years) and put in my Wet, Wet, Wet CD. As I listened to Angel Eyes and Love is All Around, even though it was old, old, old, it brought back wonderful memories of a holiday in Scotland and all of a sudden my morning went from yuk to yay! I think the men who sat on the back of a garden service bakkie thought I’d lost my mind as I sang my heart out to Sweet Little Mystery, but hey, it worked for me!
Best cold
In the light, pardon the pun, of load-shedding, I’ve been thinking about meals which need no cooking. Obviously, if you have a gas braai, that’s the answer; quick and efficient for cooking during weekdays. Over weekends the good old charcoal braai, I’m sure, is being used more and more and let’s be honest, braaing is synonymous with most South African men.
But for those of us who only have an electric oven, our meal times have to be carefully planned around any load-shedding schedules.
What I did last week, was boil potatoes which I was going to do with butter and parsley after they were cooked. I boiled extra, cooled some and kept them in the fridge for the next day in case of load-shedding. I had electricity so they were roasted, but I could have used them for a potato salad.
Always make sure you have cheese and crackers and pickles and onion marmalade. Even simple cheese and crackers can make a tasty snack (or meal) in an emergency.
Obviously stock up on salad ingredients (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and, if you can afford it, croutons).
Cook macaroni or pasta and make extra to keep in the fridge. This can be mixed with chopped green pepper, tinned drained peach slices and a mayonnaise dressing.
The same goes for couscous. Cook and use half hot and refrigerate the other half. Serve cold with chopped baby spinach, sliced boiled eggs and chopped red pepper. This can make a tasty accompaniment to cold chicken or roasted ham.
If you are making a quiche, make two and freeze one. This can always be defrosted and enjoyed with salad. The same with sausages and meatballs – make extra and freeze some. Defrosted they can be eaten with a dipping sauce, with baby tomatoes, baby gherkins and leftover potatoes made into a potato salad.
For desserts, ice cream is always good (unless the electricity has been off so long it’s runny) and fresh seasonal fruit. For a coal braai, toast marshmallows on a skewer, delish!
Stunning look
I was at Mall of the South last week and MRP Home is looking absolutely fab! Their display stands were beautifully done with co-ordinated items and I saw about 20 items I could have bought had I had the money. I loved some of the natural goods, including a new range of bamboo fibre products, and the kids’ range was looking cool. All in all the whole store really looked tops!
Children’s linen
Gone are the days when children had to make do with pastel-coloured plain duvet covers and accessories. Now children’s linen is hot news and you can often find linen to suit children from baby to teens. Woolworths does have a few choices of children’s linen as well as MRP Home, but I see Volpes The Linen Company has just introduced a new range for children. All the duvet covers have mix-and-match sheets and pillowcases as well as curtains. Pop along to the Volpes store at Mall at Newmarket, Alberton, and check it out.
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
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