What wine goes best with Bobotie with blatjang sauce?

More niteresting wines from South Africa.... part 3

I am certain that this is a question that everyone who works in a kitchen wonders? What South African wine is best served with fresh baked Bobotie? Ah, I know what you are thinking… is the Bobotie young or fully matured?

Actually, Bobotie is said to be a ‘hot contender for South Africa’s national Dish” ( in  “Rainbow Cuisine” by Lannice Snyman ) and it looks like a wonderful caserol style dish… which I will prepare this Sunday.

As for the wines, here is a listing of 5 new ones… new — that is — for me!

Goats do Roam — ” Thus was born, in 1999, what was for the South African wine scene an innovative blend using Rhône varieties such as shiraz, cinsaut, carignan and mourvèdre with a dash of local pinotage, which Back had sourced from various vineyards (his own and others) around Paarl and Malmesbury.”

Kanu — “The name Kanu is derived from a  veteran farm hand on Goedgeloof,  who told of the legend of a mythical bird of promise. The story tells that when the bird appeared, all those who fell under its shadow would be blessed with a bountiful harvest.”

Kanon Kop — “Kanonkop Estate has been described by those in the know as being the South African equivalent of a Premier Cru or First Growth. International awards accumulated over more than a decade have gone a long way to substantiate these claims.”

Indaba — “Indaba is the Zulu word that translates to a ‘meeting of minds’ or ‘assembly of Chiefs’.  This is the spirit of the brand which was founded in the 1990’s on the newly unified South Africa. It represents the communications which lead to the historical changes in South Africa. Mzokhona Mvemve is the head winemaker at Indaba.”  

Where to buy wine on-line? Try Southern Wine

…and Ostrich meat?  Ostrich Meat Company

Roger Freberg

PS. I am awaiting another very fine wine…. from Klein Constantia‘s ‘Vin de Constance’

 

Ostrich — part of a healthy & fun diet!

Amazing Nutritional information on Ostrich Meat!

I have enjoyed Ostrich before, but with my daughter Karen taking some time to intern in South Africa, I have reawakened to some of the wonders of that part of the world. One of those delicious items is Ostrich meat. The chart above tells the healthy story: higher in protein, lower in fats, calories and cholesterol …and as Karen describes it… Ostrich meat tastes like something between beef and chicken for flavor, but then a lot of that has to do with the preparation & seasonings, too.

Although civilization is finally making its way into our tiny community of San Luis Obispo in California, I still have to travel to Monterey or Watsonville to pick up some Ostrich meat. Although it takes a big chunk of the day, it is well worth it. I won’t be making an “Ostriducken” ( A chicken inside a Turkey inside an Ostrich)… I do have a few great tasting ideas.

There is a  place in Watsonville  where you can buy Ostrich meat. They even provide addresses to local shops along the central coast of California.

Roger Freberg

 

Wine — where everyone has an opinion!

Wine for all occasions

Wine is a wonderful experience, whether it be for the daily glass at dinner or for a special bottle with special people. However, I have always smiled when I read about those wine buffs who lift their glass and condemn or praise this or that vintage because it was derived from an unfortunate year due to some volcanic eruption in some other part of the world that produced less sunlight and thus an inferior harvest.  blah blah hmmmmm

So too are so many opinions on wine. Sometimes, the opinions reflect nationalistic sentiments or the bias of the individual palate. In any event, good wines are everywhere now-a-days… great ones are still rare … but few disappoint at the average barbecue.

So, Here I am talking about  South African Wines  again… the latest great bargain since the invasion ofAustralian and New Zealand wines made the scene in America. Of course, for those who remember 30 years back or so… even French wines were relatively affordable ( some day I might write about my case of  Château Latour ’55  ( undeniably a great year!) or my fondness for  Château Margaux). As for South African wines, I am also showing above  Kumala and a wine that tells a ‘story’ on each bottle in chapters… aa probably affordably available somewhere near you.

Enjoy! … now if I could only buy Ostrich locally.

Roger Freberg

UPDATE: Jenny Craig is Working … DOWN 76.6 lbs!

Dad dropped some more weight!

Well, in spite of my best efforts to submarine myself on moving Karen’s stuff to Tennessee… chomping down at the “Texan”, gulping down a “Bloomin’ Onion” at the Outback, and striding out on a “Cajun Ribeye” at the Marketplace in Arkansas… I still lost about 4 lbs!

Thank you Jenny Craig!

So, all total I have lost 76.6 lbs. since December… very cool!

Roger Freberg

 

Tennessee Road Trip — Part Deux!

Jenny Craig came along with out Road Trip

Okay, this isn’t exactly a  “Jenny Craig”  dessert… but it was one of our “planned indulgences” at the “Texan” in Amarillo. As A matter of fact, we also stopped at the Marketplace in Ft. Smith, Arkansas and an Outback in Tennessee all within 10 days… and I still lost weight!

SO, why did we choose this time for a ‘road trip’? I must have been a moving man in a prior life, because I enjoy helping my daughters move. Plus, I can’t help reminisce about that old U-haul slogan , “Adventure in Moving!” It was a fun adventure after all. This was Karen’s turn and she’s heading to Tennessee to work on her Ph.D. The only problem was that Karen wasn’t around to help, she is in South Africa on an  ‘SC Graduate internship!  …..Hmmmmm

Here’s a link to a few of our pictures.  I am pretty happy with our successful venture… traveling to Tennessee and back, finding Karen an apartment, moving her stuff all within 10 days! whew!

What did I do the first thing I came back? I opened a bottle of  Cameron Hughes Champagne!

Roger Freberg

PS. Yep I did already blog a bit on this very cool road trip… here’s a link!