South Afica Calling - 30/09/2011 ( Knysna part 1 )

From Oudtshoorn we drove to Knysna , one of the Garden Routeˊs best known destinations . The drive was stunning . We drove past forests, lakes, rivers mountains and in many places along beautiful coastlines .

On the way we stopped to check out the Cango Caves . 

As the guidebook puts it , Cango caves are  " sculptured by nature through the ages - fascinating limestone formations in a wide variety of colours. An underground wonder world." . They were nice - in a touristy way ! 

From the caves we headed to Knysna , stopped for a quick bite en route and drove to the lagoon area of Knysna where we are staying in a stunning B&B , our room overlooking the lagoon . 

The entire house is picture perfect - casua chic .

We ate dinner in the waterfront are in a restaurant called 34 South . The place very casually done up , emphasis being on food ! We started with a portion of oysters with lemon juice , delishhhhh ! That was followed by an obscene sized seafood platter . Excellent line fish , squid , never ending prawns and some pork paella . No words to describe it , the empty platter said it all !

Pasta with squash, our summer & fall "minestra"

Do you know how to cook "pasta con la zucchina a minestra"? I already told you about pasta a minestra in general, now we are preparing a specific minestra with squash. This is a great summer and autumn dish.

I know I know, everyone thinks that in summer you only have to eat cold or refreshing food, but Sicilian tradition do not agree with that. Infact in Summer we also prepare some types of pasta made with broth, like a soup, and this is exactly one of them. You may not have it too liquid (like it is in the pic above, but that depends only on your personal taste!) Even better is having it in this season, when the first rains arrive.

Ingredients & preparation for 4 people:
1 half of a squash (if very long)
1 small onion
400 gr. broken spaghetti (Ital. spaghetti spezzati)
4-5 ts of tomato sauce
80 gr. matured caciocavallo cheese in small pieces
salt (or a bio stock-cube if preferred)
olive oil
a small piece of dried red pepper

1. You peel the squash (pic on the left), cut it in half and then in thin slices. 2. On a medium heat put a large pan with half the water. 3. As soon as the water boils put salt (or a bio stock-cube if preferred), onion and the squash in pieces. 4. After about 12-14 minutes put the pasta and the tomato sauce. For this dish we use the "spaghetti spezzati" type of pasta, which are simply broken spaghetti.
5. When the pasta is almost cooked (usually after 10-12 minutes) put the little pieces of caciocavallo cheese inside the soup, so that they have the time to melt a bit (matured caciocavallo is very hard).This local cheese is very salty and tasty, so is the perfect contrast with the delicate taste of the squash.

If you want to try this lovely pasta don't hesitate: it's simple, healthy and tasty. Perfect for vegeterians or even health food nut people :) Enjoy!

South Afica Calling - 29/09/2011 ( Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn our next destination we thought was a 250 Km drive from Franschhoek , but as it turned out it was a 450 Km ! The drive was beautiful - till fatigue set in . The landscape changed from barren weather beaten hillocks to lush green vineyards which suddenly made way for pine trees and junipers . In the background were these mountains , their colors changing from a vague misty blue to vibrant shades of green . The roadside was dotted with clusters of flowers in reds and oranges and yellows to suddenly turn all stark and barren ! All this was viewed at 120 km - unfortunately .

We ate lunch in a town called Montagu , a typical one horse town where we ate an interesting mint chicken salad and a ham baguette - bothe very nice .

A rushed lunch later we drove to Oudtshoorn where we are staying at this beautiful small hotel called Rosenhoef ( www.rosenhof.co.za ) . Each room is like a cottage - and all cottages are around a garden . Rooms are large and beautiful as is the landscape of the entire estate .

We dined at a restaurant called Kalinka , run by a Russian lady and were told she did fantastic European Cuisine with a Russian twist . Didn't see the Russian twist , but sure saw a steep bill ! Ate Ostrich very guiltily and found it nice . Creme Brulee was superb .

This hotel is beautiful , glad Chin found it . Next stop Knysna - 3 days in one place - bliss !

South African Calling - 28/09/2011-Franschhoek

As we were leaving Cape Town this morning , there was a major power failure . Something quite unheard of in these parts as a  result , all systems came to a standstill and shops had to down shutters as power back up isn't too common here ! The roads were initially chaotic , traffic lights weren't working for miles outside Cape Town . However all that was sorted out once we hit the highway and we arrived into this small town with a total population of under 16000 people !

Franschhoek is a small town on the 'wine route' about 70 Km from Cape Town . It's beauty , wine culture and the fact that it has probably the best restaurants in South Africa  has made Franschhoek into what is often described as the "food and wine capital" of South Africa . This valley is also home to some of the oldest Wine Estates and Vineyards in the country , the sprawling vineyards around the town make the landscape so special .

Oh yes , I also got hauled up by a cop car for driving into a one way lane from the wrong direction ! A brief lecture later the cop car escorted us to our B&B , the website essays it all ! http://aka.co.za . What is special is that we have a cottage with a tiny pool - all private , a covered veranda which makes it all cosy and feels like home . The kitchenette is loaded and it seems the stocks of  wines and Scotches in the bar have all been paid for by us while booking ! Pity I am driving which means I don't get to smell the damn things !

Lunch was at Mont Rochelle a lovely hotel set in the midst of a sprawling vineyard where we sat on a terrace overlooking the vineyards . Crispy pork belly and a calamari salad were what we ate and were superb .

We then took in the town- basically a one km long main street where all the action is  ! Shop shut at 5 , I guess after that all people do is drink up the wine ! Later on a drive to the mountains we saw these baboons - first ' wildlife ' sighting of the trip !

Dinner was at Reuben's . Reuben's came highly recommend , we had to book our table from Cape Town a day in advance .Fine yet uncomplicated cuisine in a laid back setting  , the restaurant  combines all the ingredients for the perfect evening . 

Chili salted squid was a great starter – served on lemon basil coriander and mint an amazing dish !Duo of oysters dramatically served in their shells on ice and pebbles was fantastic too . 

For the main course we went with lemongrass infused prawn risotto and goat cheese ravioli , both again out of this world ! 

Pity we are here just one day , would love to do dinner there again !


A huge breakfast in beautiful setting . Homemade preserves and bread with fruit eggs and cheeses - just what the doctor ordered ! Soon we drive 4-5 hours to Oudtshoorn .

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