Quinoa Vegetable Soup

Spring has arrived and it’s the perfect time to have a lighter and brighter spring soup.

 

With the nights still cool and summer on the way you might be wanting to add some veggies into your diet and this delicious soup will be a hit with every member of the household.

 

This dish is filling and delicious.

 

What you’ll need:

 

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin rounds

2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2" pieces

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 (can cannellini beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup quinoa

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

250gm Tuscan kale, ribs removed and leaves thinly sliced

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Crushed red pepper flakes, for serving

 

 

Method:

 

In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. 

 

Add zucchini, diced tomatoes, beans, quinoa, and cumin. Pour in broth and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and boil until quinoa is tender about 13 minutes. 

 

Stir in kale and cook until wilted, 1 minute more, then stir in lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and serve.

 

Beef Prime Rib

Life is short; so it's time to enjoy a decadent and succulent prime rib.

 

This recipe for Beef Prime Rib is the perfect showstopper for your next lunch with friends, it’s delicious and really does have a wow factor.

 

Not one for the vegetarians this dish is all about the meat. Considered one of the best cuts of meat this dish is succulent and the beef should be blush pink.

 

Serve it with our Billy Cabernet or The Trip.

 

What you’ll need:

 

2.5 kg standing rib roast / prime rib, bone-in

1 onion, unpeeled, quartered (brown, yellow, white)

1 head of garlic, unpeeled, halved horizontally

5 sprigs thyme

3 sprigs rosemary

 

GARLIC HERB BUTTER:

10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)

2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

 

RED WINE SAUCE:

1 1/2 cups beef broth/stock, low salt

2 1/2 cups dry red wine

1 tbsp cornflour/corn-starch

 

 

Method:

 

Bring Beef to room temp: Take the beef out of the fridge 2 – 3 hours before cooking to bring to room temp. Pat dry with a paper towel.

 

Preheat oven to 240C (standard) or 220C (fan/convection). Adjust the shelf so beef will be sitting in the middle of the oven.

 

Garlic Herb Butter: Mix together.

 

Roasting bed: Place onion, garlic, and herbs in a heavy-based ovenproof roasting pan.

 

Slather 1: Spread a thin layer of butter on the underside of the beef (ie the bone side). Place beef on onion etc, butter side down. Spread about 2/3 of the butter on the top and sides (reserve some for Slather 2).

 

Hot oven: Roast 20 minutes.

 

Slather 2: Remove, spread over remaining butter. Turn oven down to 120°C (100°C fan).

 

Slow roast: Roast for a further 1 1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the juices in the pan until the internal temperature is 48°C in the centre for medium-rare. Start checking the internal temp early.

 

Rest: Transfer beef to a plate. Cover loosely with foil and rest for 20 – 30 minutes. The internal temperature will rise to 52°C (which is medium-rare).

 

Slice beef and serve with Sauce! For a classic high-end Steakhouse experience, serve with mash and fresh greens.

 

Red wine sauce:

 

Place pan with onion and garlic left in it on the stove over high heat. Add wine and beef stock, rapidly simmer for 10 minutes until it reduces by 2/3 or so, down to 1.5 cups of liquid.

 

Lower heat to medium. Mix cornflour with 2 tbsp water. Drizzle in half and stir. The sauce will thicken in 1 minute or so. Add more cornflour water mixture if you want it thicker.

 

Strain into a bowl, pour into a sauce jug.

 

 

 

It’s a spring thing

Spring has sprung, and it is that time of year that we all look forward to as the flowers bloom, the vines come out of hibernation and the weather starts to warm.

 

If you have been in the winter/Covid funk, we feel you.

 

Here are our top reasons to love Spring.

 

The blooms they are a coming

 

Spring season ushers in all the gorgeous blossoms and blooms to enjoy. Not so great for hay fever sufferers, but it sure is a pretty time of the year as you get to enjoy all the fresh flowers, Spring fruits and the vines start to grow again.

 

The days get longer, and the weather gets warmer

 

This one is a given, but doesn’t it just make you feel so much better about life when we get a bit more sunshine?

 

It means summer is not far away, and we can start planning outdoor picnics, dinners with friends and outdoor exercise.

 

Fresh air

 

Spring means you can open your windows wide and enjoy the fresh air, and fresh air really does do wonders for the soul.

 

Peoples’ Mood Improves

 

After a dreary winter, sunlight is the best remedy. Scientists have proven that sunlight exposure increases your body's release of serotonin in the brain, causing people to be happier.

 

Sunlight also lessens the amount of melatonin in people during the day and increases it at night, allowing for a better nights sleep.

 

Outdoor wines in the sunshine

 

There is really nothing better than sipping on a vino in the sunshine! Take advantage of the warmer weather and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Slow-cooked Asian Style pork ribs

We are super excited that spring is on the way. Bring on the longer days and warmth as we head into summer.

 

These Asian style Pork Ribs are perfect for serving up for dinner with friends, spicing up a meal at home in iso with family or just because.

 

They pair perfectly with our The Kid Riesling or Mama Goat Merlot.

 

What you’ll need:

 

2 racks pork baby back ribs

 

Dry Rub:

 

½ cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons chilli powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons kosher salt

 

Sticky Sauce:

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

6 cloves garlic minced

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

⅔ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

⅔ cup balsamic vinegar

⅔ cup brown sugar

⅔ cup honey

1 tablespoon corn-starch

1 tablespoon water

 

 

Method:

 

To make the sticky sauce: In a medium-sized dish, whisk together the ginger, pepper, and onion powder. Add the garlic and mix again to incorporate. Add sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and honey. Whisk until incorporated.

 

Mix the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl. Remove the membrane and place the ribs into the slow cooker. You can either curl the ribs along with the slow cooker or cut them into sections and put them on top of each other.

 

Massage the dry rub into the ribs on both sides. Pour half of the sticky sauce mixture into the slow cooker and reserve the rest later for the sticky sauce. Cook the ribs for 6-8 hours on low heat until the meat is tender.

 

Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a foil lines broil pan with the meaty side up. Brush some sauce from the slow cooker on top of the ribs and broil until the edges start to look crisp and broiled. Allow tented with foil to rest while you make the sticky sauce.

 

To make the sticky sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the reserved sticky sauce to the pan. In a small bowl, combine the corn starch and water plus 1 Tablespoon of the hot liquid. Pour into the saucepan with the sticky sauce whisk until the mixture starts to thicken.  

 

Remove from heat and brush on top of the ribs. Serve immediately.

Thai Green Papaya Salad

If you want to be whisked away mentally to the warmer climes of Asia or some other glorious sub-tropical climate that you can't quite reach right now, then this is the dish to take you there.

 

It's delicious as a side or the main affair and packs a punch in spice and all things nice!

 

And it goes delightfully well with our Cheeky Goat Pinot Gris.

 

What you’ll need:

 

5 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons (packed) palm sugar or golden-brown sugar

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons dried shrimp, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 Chinese long beans, halved crosswise or 15 green beans

1 – 2 Kgs of green papaya, peeled, halved, seeded

10 large cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup chopped fresh coriander

2 green onions, very thinly sliced

1 fresh red Thai chilli with seeds, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped salted peanuts

 

Method:

 

Whisk the first five ingredients in a medium bowl. Set dressing aside.

 

Cook beans in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Rinse under cold water. Cut into 2-inch pieces.

 

Using a julienne peeler, peel enough papaya to measure 6 cups. Place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, coriander, green onions, chile, and green beans.

 

Pour dressing over; toss. Sprinkle peanuts over and serve.

Gifts for Dad this Father’s Day

Dads day is fast approaching, and it’s a day to celebrate all our Dad’s do for us. And you may want to organise a little something to show Dad just how much you care.

 

Here are some things you can do to show Dad he is the best, that are not your traditional socks and undies.

 

And all our gift ideas are DIY too.

 

Homemade Grilling Apron

 

Give kids a range of fabric markers and paints to choose from, and then watch as they turn a plain white apron into something special for your family's grill master.

 

Hot Chilli Oil

 

Spice up Dad’s special day with hot pepper-infused olive oil. Grab some good olive oil, a re-purposed bottle and some chillies from your garden or the local shops and you have all you need to make it. It’s almost guaranteed he’ll be drenching his meats, eggs and veggies with this gift

 

Fun Shaped Pancakes

Want to prepare something different than the typical breakfast in bed? Jazz up Dad’s morning with one-of-a-kind pancakes. design pancakes in the shapes of tools, ties or sports equipment.

 

Handmade card

 

Get creative and make Dad a card that he will cherish forever. Tell Dad just how much you love by putting pen and crayon to paper and drawing a beautiful handcrafted design for him to keep forever.

 

Spend time with him

 

The best gift you can give Dad this Father’s Day is the spend some time with him.

 

Play your favourite sport together, go for a walk or do some gardening together. These will be the memories you will remember the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One pan Steak Diane

A juicy piece of steak is sure to put you in a good mood for a midweek feast.

 

Enjoy this delicious dish made just for one with a night on the couch, some good tv, and a bottle of delicious vino such as our Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

It also pairs perfectly with shoestring fries and a hint of fresh sea salt!

 

Enjoy!

 

What you’ll need:

 

750 g beef steak

1 splash olive oil

2 tsp crushed garlic

3 tsp Worcestershire sauce

3 tsp brandy

300 ml cream

 

 

Method:

 

Heat pan well, add a dash of olive oil and sear steak on both sides.

 

Add garlic to the hottest part of the pan and fry for 1 minute.

 

Reduce heat to low and add remaining ingredients. Stir to mix.

 

Cover and allow to simmer until steak is cooked to preference, turning steak once or twice more.

 

Serve steak and spoon sauce over steak.

 

Spicy fish curry

If you are looking for a bit of spice in your life to warm you up and to keep things interesting, you are going to love this spicy Goan fish curry.

 

Pairs with lockdowns lifting and friends, and lots of delicious wine (in moderation of course.)

 

What you’ll need:

 

Curry paste:

2 1/2 tbsp chilli powder 

1 tbsp coriander

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp fenugreek powder

3/8 tsp ground cloves

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated

2 tbsp tamarind puree

1/2 red onion, chopped

6 tbsp water (plus more, as needed)

 

Curry:

3 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp black mustard seeds

1/2 red onion, cut in half again (like a quartered orange) and thinly sliced

1 tbsp tomato paste

2/3 cup canned tomato pulp

2/3 cup water

400ml coconut milk, full fat

1 1/4 tsp salt, cooking/kosher (or 3/4 tsp fine table salt)

1 1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp chilli powder

2 long green chillies, cut into half lengthwise and deseeded

1 tomato, cut into 8 wedges then into 2.5cm chunks

600g firm-fleshed white fish, cut into 3cm cubes

 

Garnishes/serving:

1/4 cup fresh coriander

Finely sliced green chillies, optional

Basmati rice

 

Method:

 

Curry Paste:

Place Curry Paste ingredients in a tall jug then blitz on high for 5 to 10 seconds until the onion is pureed. Add more water if needed to make it puree.

 

Curry:

Sizzle black mustard seeds: Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add black mustard seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds.

 

Sauté onion: Add red onion and cook for 3 minutes until edges start to tinge with gold.

 

Cook-off curry paste: Add curry paste and cook for 3 minutes - to evaporate water, make spices bloom and cook garlic & ginger.

 

Cook-off tomato: Turn heat up to medium-high. Add tomato paste and tomato pulp, cook for 2 minutes.

 

Coconut milk: Add water, coconut milk, sugar, salt and chilli powder if using. Stir, then bring to simmer, low heat so it's bubbling gently.

 

Simmer 2 minutes, add tomato & green chilli: Simmer for 2 minutes, add tomato and green chilli.

 

Simmer 3 minutes: Simmer for another 3 minutes, stirring every now and then - the sauce should be thickened (not watery), it gets looser again when fish is added.

 

Add fish: Add fish, stir, cook for 3 to 4 minutes until fish easily flakes.

 

Garnish & serve: Remove from stove and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with coriander and fresh green chillies if desired.

 

Serve with basmati rice!

 

Ways to make your friends smile through tough times

 

The world is wacky right now, that's for sure. We are all exhausted with how things have played out in the last 18months.

 

Checking in on your mates is always important, but now more than ever, it's essential to do so.

 

Here are some things to put a smile on your friend's face through tough times.

 

Send them a care package

 

Send your friends a beautiful care package out of the blue to let them know that you are thinking of them.

 

It could be a bunch of flowers, a bottle of wine, a care package or just a little something you've handmade like a knitted scarf.

 

Crack a dad joke or terrible pun

 

Nothing lightens the load like some fun banter or a belly laugh. So, pull out all those daggy Dad jokes that you usually reserve for Christmas and try and put a smile on one of your friend’s faces.

 

Give a genuine compliment

 

If you see something in someone else that you admire, let them know. It could be telling them you like their style, smile or something that they are good at!

 

The world needs to amplify the good in people more than the bad, this is a great place to start.

 

Reach out to someone you miss

 

We all get busy, and time flies by; before you even know it, you might not have caught up with someone in your life who you love dearly for a long time.

 

Pick up the phone, drop them a text to tell them you are thinking of them and that you miss them.

 

Food

 

Many things can be fixed over a meal with a good mate. Schedule a catch-up even though you might not be able to see each other physically right now.

 

Get it locked in and stick to your plans. Nothing beats a face to face catch up one on one with someone you love.

 

Write and send a handwritten letter or note

 

Handwritten notes might be out of fashion, but it's always lovely to receive something in the mail.

 

Put pen to paper and send your best friend a note

 

Listen actively

 

If your friends are going through a hard time, try and support them by just listening to them.

 

Sometimes the simple act of being there for someone to let them vent is the most important gift you can give to a friend.

 

 

 

The Kid Riesling paired with Kingfish, blood orange and fennel Ceviche

Our 2021 new release, The Kid Riesling, might be sporting a new bottle this year, but you will find the same delightfully drinkable wine inside.

 

With a lovely citrus taste, this 2021 Riesling pairs perfectly with a gorgeous Kingfish Ceviche.

 

To be served with the best of friends and laughter.

 

What you’ll need:

 

600g sashimi-grade kingfish

3 blood oranges

2 baby fennel or 1 large fennel, fibrous outer layer removed and washed

100g black olives, pitted

40ml verjus

160ml olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Sea salt

Cracked black pepper

 

Method:

 

Segment the blood oranges and set them aside, then with your hand, squeeze the juice from the segmented core and reserve.

 

In a small saucepan, reduce 80ml of the blood orange by half, transfer it into a bowl with 1 small pinch of sea salt, lemon juice, verjus and olive oil. Emulsify together using a whisk, set aside.

 

Remove the skin from the Kingfish, cut out the bloodline lengthways, releasing both the loin and belly fillets. Slice each fillet thinly and spread over the surface of a flat plate.

 

Shave the fennel thinly using a mandolin and leave it in iced water (to stop oxidization).

 

Cut the pitted olives into rounds.

 

Strain off the water from the fennel, and pat dry using an absorbent towel.

 

Season the Kingfish with salt & pepper, arrange both the shaved fennel, blood orange segments and black olives over the kingfish slices.

 

Just before serving, dress the Kingfish generously with the dressing. Best served 5 minutes after dressing.