Author: Karen Claassen

Hi and welcome to my blog! My name is Karen and I love cooking simple, uncomplicated, flavourful food. My cooking is inspired by seasonal ingredients, punchy flavours, an awareness of sustainability and of course by the likes and dislikes of my family and friends that sit around my table as well as you, the virtual guests around my table! I am a chef, recipe developer and food stylist and generate my own content. I am also completely addicted to recipe books, of which I have an extremely large collection but the essence of my food is about celebrating life and all the fabulousness that we can add by creating good food. Thank you for reading my blog. Please keep on giving me feedback and may your kitchen, as mine, be filled with joy and the best tasting food!

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Triple Chocolate Mousse

October 21, 2021October 20, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

150g milk chocolate, chopped
45ml boiling water
7,5ml powdered gelatine
3 eggs, separated
375ml whipping cream
150g milk chocolate, chopped
150g dark chocolate, chopped

Line a 22cm x 11cm loaf tin with plastic wrap, leaving enough plastic to make an overhang (so that you can fold it on top of the mousse later on). Tip: wet the loaf tin before lining it – the water will help the plastic “stick” to the the tin.
Add the white chocolate to a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan with simmering water and allow the chocolate to melt. Remove from the heat, give it a good stir and set it aside for about 5 minutes to cool.
Add 15ml of the boiling water to a small cup and sprinkle 2,5ml of the gelatine over. Stir the mixture continuously until the gelatine has dissolved completely – about 2 minutes of constant stirring.
Add the gelatine and one egg yolk to the melted chocolate and stir to combine.
Add 125ml cream to a mixing bowl and beat with electric beaters until soft peaks form.
Add the cream to the chocolate mixture and stir through until combined.
Add one egg white to a clean mixing bowl and beat with an electric whisk until soft peaks form
Fold the egg white into the chocolate mixture with a spatula.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the white chocolate layer is set.

Repeat the process with the milk chocolate and half of the remaining ingredients.
Pour over the white chocolate mousse and place back in the refrigerator for another hour or until set.

Repeat with the dark chocolate and the remaining ingredients.
Pour over the milk chocolate layer and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours.

Serve the mousse with a chocolate sauce or plenty of berries.

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Goats Cheese Tart

October 20, 2021October 17, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is the perfect food as a light starter or simply as a canapé served with drinks on the patio. It can also double up as a light lunch when served with a salad.

2 large pears
30ml butter
30ml honey
1 lemon
500g ready-made pastry
200g goats cheese
a handful of pecan nuts
a handful of thyme leaves
egg-wash: 1 egg + 15ml milk

Preheat your oven to 200℃ and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
Peel and core the pears and cut them into thin wedges lengthwise.
Place in a bowl and squeeze the lemon juice over. Mix up the slices with your hands so that the pear is covered with lemon juice.
Add the butter and honey to a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add the pear slices and any lemon juice from the bowl and cook for 2-3 minutes a side, until the pear is caramelised.
Remove the pear slices but reserve the honey caramel in the pan.
Roll the pastry to a 28cm X 38cm rectangle and score a 2cm border all around the edges. Place the pastry on the lined baking sheet.
Arrange the pear slices over the pastry within the border.
Now break up the cheese and arrange it randomly between the pear.
Scatter the pecan nuts and the thyme leaves over the pear and goats cheese.
Drizzle the leftover caramel from the pan over the tart.
Whisk the egg and milk together and brush the pastry border with it.
Bake the tart for 20 minutes until the pastry is beautifully golden.
Serve slightly warm.

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Quinoa Salad

October 19, 2021October 17, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

Quinoa is an ancient grain that is a complete protein and has a deliciously nutty flavour. This salad offers all the nutrients you need for a meal on its own or as a side dish to whatever else you are cooking.

45ml olive oil
30ml lemon juice

375ml quinoa, cooked according to the packet instructions
250ml tightly packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
half a red onion, finely chopped
125ml feta cheese, crumbed
1 apple, chopped into small cubes
a small bunch of chives or any other soft, fresh herbs, chopped

Whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together and set aside.
Add all the other ingredients to a bowl and mix through.
Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the salad and serve.

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Broken Glass Slices

October 18, 2021October 17, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

An old classic for jelly lovers and perfect to enjoy at a pool party!

4 x 85g packets powdered jelly, 4 different colours/flavours
225g digestive biscuits
125g butter, melted
125ml boiling water
20ml powdered gelatine
500g cream cheese
200ml condensed milk

Dissolve each colour jelly in 200ml boiling water and pour into individual/separate containers. (Lunch boxes work well). Set in the refrigerator for about 4 hours.
Cut the jelly into cubes and set aside.
Spray a 23cm x 23cm x 5cm baking tin/container with cooking spray.
Break up the biscuits and place it in the bowl of a food processor. Blitz until it resembles fine sand.
Melt the butter and add it to the biscuits with the engine running.
Transfer to the prepared baking tin and press firmly into the tin base in an even layer. Chill in the refrigerator.
Pour the boiling water in a mixing bowl and add the gelatine. Stir until the gelatine has completely dissolved and set aside to cool.
Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on high speed until smooth.
Scrape down, add the condensed milk and mix for a minute or so.
Add the cooled gelatine mixture and blend well.
Now take the bowl from the mixer and add the jelly cubes. Gently fold everything together.
Scrape the mixture over the biscuit base and press it into the corner of the baking tin. Flatten the surface by gently pressing down on the mixture with a spatula.
Cover the tin with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Slice the tart with a clean sharp knife and serve.

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Vanilla Sheet Cake with Coconut Chocolate Ganache

October 15, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is a delicious sheet cake with a wonderful fine crumb and the chocolate ganache dresses it up for any occasion!

For the cake:

330g butter, room temperature
550g granulated sugar
5 eggs
5ml vanilla
660g flour
2,5ml + 1,2ml baking powder
1,2ml salt
250ml milk

Preheat your oven to 180℃ and line 27cm X 37cm X 5cm cake tin (I use a roasting tin) with baking paper.
Add the butter and sugar to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat together on a high speed until pale and fluffy.
Turn the mixer to medium speed and add the eggs one at a time, giving each egg time to incorporate into the mixture.
Add the vanilla.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
Turn the mixer to a low speed and add the flour mixture and milk alternately.
Scrape the batter into the prepared baking tin and place it in the oven to bake for 40 minutes.
Cool the cake on a cooling rack until completely cold and slice into squares.

For the Coconut Chocolate Ganache:
180g white coconut chocolate OR white chocolate and a handful of roasted coconut flakes
120ml cream

Chop the chocolate finely and add the chocolate and cream to a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan with simmering water.
Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring every now and then until the mixture is silky smooth.
Now take the bowl from the heat and stir the ganache.
Drizzle the ganache over the cake slices while still slightly warm.
Decorate with roasted coconut flakes.

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Aperol Gin Cocktail

October 14, 2021October 13, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is a deliciously refreshing drink on a hot day and easy to make at home. Serve it for your next aperitivo hour in true Italian style!

30ml Aperol
30ml gin
30ml lime juice
30ml simple syrup
60ml soda water

Add the Aperol, gin, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
Add 3 ice cubes and shake the mixture for about 1 minute.
Pour the contents into a glass and top with soda water.
Garnish with edible flower ice cubes before serving.

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Milk Chocolate Cupcakes

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

These cupcakes are deliciously moist and has the softest of crumbs. Add to that the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and you have a cupcake that adults and children will swoon over…

110g butter
60g milk chocolate, chopped
2 eggs
190ml sugar
10ml vanilla
125ml sour cream
125ml cocoa powder
190ml flour
2,5ml bicarbonate of soda
5ml baking powder
1,2ml salt

Preheat your oven to 180℃ and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cups.
Add the butter and chocolate to a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan with simmering water and allow the chocolate to melt.
Take the butter-chocolate from the heat, stir to amalgamate and allow to cool slightly while you get on with mixing the batter.
Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla and sour cream to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until mixed through and smooth.
Sift together the cocoa powder, flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
Turn the mixer on low and add the cooled chocolate mixture.
Now add the flour mixture a tablespoon at a time until all the flour is incorporated into the batter.
Fill the paper cups by dividing the batter equally.
Bake the cupcakes for 18 minutes.
Take them from the oven and cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

160g milk chocolate, chopped
170g butter, room temperature
110g cream cheese, room temperature
30g cocoa powder
60ml espresso coffee, room temperature
125g icing sugar, sifted

Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Allow to melt completely and remove the bowl from the heat.
Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Beat on high speed until the mixture is fluffy and light.
Mix the cocoa powder and espresso together and slow pour it into the butter mixture at a low speed.
Add the icing sugar a tablespoon at a time, until all of it is incorporated.
Drizzle the melted chocolate into the bowl and beat on medium speed for one minute.
NOTE: If the frosting is too soft to work with, simply leave it at room temperature – it will firm up as it stands. DO NOT put the frosting into the refrigerator!

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Sweet-and-Sour Pork Chops

October 12, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

These pork chops are so easy to make and really delivers on taste! Serve them on noodles, rice or mashed potato.

83ml sugar
83ml apple cider vinegar
45ml pineapple juice (from the canned pineapple)
45ml tomato sauce (ketchup)
5ml Worcestershire sauce
15ml soy sauce
20ml cornstarch
125ml water

1 onion, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
15ml fresh ginger, grated
half each of a red, green and yellow bell/sweet pepper, sliced
1 tin of pineapple pieces

6 pork chops

Preheat your oven to 180℃.
Add the sugar, vinegar, pineapple juice, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy and cornstarch to a mixing bowl and stir to mix together.
Add the water, stir through and set aside.

Put a cast-iron pan (skillet) on medium heat and add a dash of vegetable oil.
Add the onion, garlic, ginger and sweet pepper and fry for 4 -5 minutes.
Add the pineapple pieces and pour the sauce into the pan with the onion mixture.
Reduce the heat and gently simmer for 5 minutes.

Warm another pan on medium-high heat and brown the chops, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Immediately place the fried pork chops in the sauce. Keep going until you have browned all the chops.
Cover the pan with the chops and the sauce and place in the oven for 25 minutes.
Scatter some sesame seeds and coriander leaves over before serving on rice, noodles or mashed potato.

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Flower Jellies

October 11, 2021October 10, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

These pretty flower jellies can be served as a light dessert or as a palate cleanser. The wine may be replaced with grape or any other clear juice.

6 eggs
edible flowers
10ml powdered gelatine
45ml cold water
45ml sugar
150ml very hot water
75ml white wine or clear fruit juice

Poke a hole in the bottom of the eggs and pour out the insides. Thoroughly wash the inside of the shells and wipe dry.
Push the edible flowers inside the empty shells.
Pour 45ml water into a bowl and sprinkle the gelatine on top. Set aside to bloom for 5 minutes.
Add the sugar to the gelatine and pour in the hot water. Stir the mixture until the sugar and gelatine has dissolved completely.
Set aside to cool for a few minutes and then add the white wine. Mix well and allow to cool to room temperature.
Pour the gelatine mixture into the egg shells and refrigerate until firm. (about 6 hours)
Peel the egg shell away and serve the flower jellies.

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Roosterkoek

October 8, 2021October 7, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

Roosterkoek is a traditional South African bread roll that is cooked on an open fire. It is smoky, slightly charred and heaven-in-a-bite when eaten slightly warm with butter. This recipe makes about 10 – 12 roosterkoeke.

1kg bread flour
15g instant yeast
15ml salt
about 700ml lukewarm water

Add the flour, yeast and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
Turn the mixer on to a low speed and add just enough water to make a stiff dough.
Knead on medium speed for 5 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth.
Lightly oil a clean mixing bowl, place the dough in it and cover with a clean tea towel.
Proof the dough for 90 minutes.
Knock the dough back and roll it to a 2cm thickness on an oiled work surface.
Cut the rolled dough into roughly 10 – 12 equal sized pieces. Place the pieces of dough about 5cm apart on an oiled baking sheet. Cover with a tea towel and set aside to rise while you get your break/outdoor fire ready.

Brush the griddle with a thin layer of vegetable oil and wait for any flair-ups/flames to die away.
Cook the Roosterkoek on a medium-warm fire for 10 minutes before turning them over for another 10 minutes cooking time.
Serve slightly warm with butter and your choice of filling.