Category: Jenny Craig

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Fairview… Fair Price! Pinotage

Fairview Fair Price! PinotageSometimes its nice to have a simple bottle of red wine… Fairview is an old South African vineyard that is now operated by the folks whose  Goats do Roam. (hint: click on the GDR site and search “Fairview”)

Anyway, the Fairview brand is: 

 “a wine of quality that will please both palate and pocket.” 

Unfortunately, you can buy from their site if you live in South Africa, but — fortunately –there are plenty of folks you can buy from that ship in the USA… including  BEVMO  (on sale right now!)and  Southern Wine.

Another interesting experience was presented to me by my daughter on her return from South Africa… a delightful creamy liquor entitled “Amarula Cream”. Now I do remember the story that my wife told me about Amarula berries from her research days at UCLA (1970’s)… they were one of the few things that got Elephants drunk!

So,  Karen searched the Amarula site , as in many South African wine and drink sites found some wonderful recipes. In particular, she found a carrot cake recipe that is very similar to one we all are very fond of… but with Amarula Cream. So we are adapting our recipe to accommodate… we’ll let you know how it goes!

Why does everything taste so much better when you are on a diet?

Roger Freberg

PS. I am now down over 80lbs on Jenny Craig! Amazing!

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Bobotie, wine & thou!

 Bobotie for You-tie and me-tie!

Well… I finally put together my South African dish called “Bobotie” and it lived up to everythnig I hoped it would… delicious!

I was worried about how all the ingredients would fit together… add 2 onions, dried apricots, white raisons ( called santanas), lemon juice and peal, garlic, apple, almonds, eggs, bread crumbs and a variety of spices including… black pepper, salt, curry, tumeric… all mixed into ground lamb. It was wonderful.

Normally, I follow someone’s recipe religiously the first time… but 2ml of crushed garlic? what’s that?? I added more. South Africa’s own ‘Balls Chutney’ was perfect with the Bobotie!

On Epicurious, Lannice Snyman author of “Rainbow Cuisine” suggested a certain brand of “Pinotage” which I procured… Kanonkop,  very nice and full bodied.

Amazing what you can do with only 2 lbs of meat!

Roger Freberg

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Crazy Middle Aged Ninja Dieters!

excessive dieting makes everythnig look delicious.. even... YOU!

My daughter Karla remarked that everyone on the Jenny Craig diet ( that includes all but Karla) seem to walking around sizing up just about every THING as to ‘edibility.’ That’s not quite true, I never thought about eating my neighbor’s dogs…hmmm… maybe, I could just ‘wok’ their dogs? hmmmm delicious!

After listening to Karen’s ‘foodie’ experiences in South Africa, particularly, sampling the game… Karla drew up a nice little picture of Karen chasing down ‘some’ of the items on her menu! I do understand Karen’s motivation… Laura says that I am now ‘hoarding’ wine and game meats ( Pheasant.com & Ostrich Farm)…. well… it goes with my 8 frozen turkeys!

Bobotie on Sunday! hmmmm…good!

Roger Freberg

PS. So, today was a Jenny Craig weigh-in day for me and I dropped another 2 lbs to 242. Oddly enough, this was my lowest collegiate weight as an athlete…. so I am moving in the right direction now.

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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’

 

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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