Koe'sister

Every year, I used to get swept up in the notion that “spring has sprung” on 1 September (as many people would point out, the official start of spring is only on 22 September). Now, if you’ve found yourself in Cape Town in the first few weeks of September, you'll know what a ridiculous notion that is. These past couple of years, however, while I don't hate the warmer weather, I've been reluctant to say goodbye to winter. I'm pretty sure it is entirely due to not having to risk life and limb daily on the bad driving witnessed on wet Cape roads. I'm thankful to be able to work from home. And so, as usual, the first couple of (cold, wet) weeks of September this time around have helped…

OLD-SCHOOL CLASSIC REIMAGINED Nthabiseng Ramaboa, better known as Chef Nti among foodies, is passionate about keeping our food stories alive. For Chef Nti, ginger beer is reminiscent of Christmas mornings and celebrations in Soweto. Here she shares what has become a staple at her restaurant, The Taste Kitchen, in Gauteng. Lemongrass ginger beer Put homemade goodness on your table with this refreshing summer drink. Add fresh pineapple to elevate this cocktail from utterly moreish to pure magic. For even more flavour, serve this with slices of fresh ginger. Add ice or drink it slightly warmer - either way works beautifully. Bottoms up! • 3 cups + 2 tbsp(625 g)sugar • 250 g ginger, chopped • 150 g lemongrass, chopped • 16 cups (4 litres) water • 2 lemons • 1 × 10 g packet yeast…

A few of years ago I started to make biltong in a food dehydrator - often also referred to as a biltong maker. There is really not much to it. Biltong also became my staple diet during the hard lockdown. We often just grab a few slices on the run - or have a heap of biltong with a healthy homegrown salad for lunch or dinner. Homemade biltong soup and biltong pizza are still regular favourites in our household. • 2 kg silverside beef • 5 tbsp (75 ml) brown vinegar • 2 tbsp (30 ml) Worcester sauce • 50 g biltong spice • 1½ tbsp (22,5 ml) brown sugar (optional) Cut the raw meat along the grain in 3-4 cm thick strips. Mix the vinegar and Worcester sauce. In a separate bowl, mix…

BARAKAT VIRRIE LANG PAD Michael Weeder There is an alchemy of love abundantly prevalent in a grain of rice. It is welcomed in the empty pots of Asia and Africa; in Europe and all of the global south. Rice is the equalising crown and footstool of globalisation, found on the tables of the poor as well as the very wealthy. We grew up with very limited resources, so we often had experiences of a parent coming home to children lamenting that there’s no food, but not long afterwards there’d be a dish that will feed not only the family, but often the neighbours too. A component of that food provision is what we call the lang sous. Rice was often an essential part of that dish which makes for a lang sous, where…

FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY Why look somewhere else when you can make a difference right where you are? Simply look out of your window beyond the hardship, and you will see the potential in your own community, says Geronimo de Klerk (20). Geronimo believes God has placed him where he is to lead his community. That’s why he and elder brother Valentino (22), founded the Feed the Future for Life organisation shortly before lockdown level five was announced. The organisation helps communities in and around Elsies River in the Western Cape to establish their own gardens in their own backyard. They have already established five community gardens and helped 22 others to get going. The duo also helps enthusiastic new gardeners with equipment to maintain their gardens. For their message to have major impact,…

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Claudia Swinny I have a very large frangipani tree in my garden. Earlier this year I was walking past the tree and suddenly realised that I’ve never really taken pictures of the beautiful flowers. I took out my phone to take a picture of a particular bunch I thought was rather pretty. Later in the day I heard someone at my front gate. A woman, apologising profusely for disturbing me, explained her sister was getting married that afternoon and that she had been driving around for a while looking for frangipani flowers. She was so happy to spot my tree while driving past I let her inside, gave her a large container and a pair of kitchen scissors and told her to take as many flowers as she needed.…