IT’S time to hit the kitchen again with Siba Mtongana. Episodes three and four of Siba’s Table air tonight.
In episode three, Perfect Cape Town Picnic, Siba packs up the boys, a basket of great food and heads outdoors.
She makes fast crispy crumbed chicken strips, perfect picnic pasta salad and Mediterranean style salads in jars. Then to wrap up a perfect picnic, divine chocolate Cheats Truffles.
Then, in episode four, Viva Africa, Siba prepares local dishes with a twist to take to a South African-themed pot-luck dinner. There are flame grilled sirloin sosaties, tasty savoury pap cakes with relish and a beet salad with nut-coated goats cheese balls.
Catch episode three tonight at 8pm and midnight, and episode four at 8.30pm and 12.30am.
* DStv Channel 175
Cheat Truffles
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Pass out time: at least 1 hour
Cooking time: none
Serves 8-10
* ½ c desiccated coconut
* 1 c (which is ½ pack biscuits)
* whole biscuits) blended Marie biscuits
* ½ t/ a big pinch ground ginger
* ½ t ground cinnamon
* ½ c condensed milk
* 100g (1 whole bar) 60% Lindt dark chocolate
Method
* Lightly toast coconut over low heat.
* Finely blend the biscuits
* Mix the biscuits with the toasted coconut and spices.
* Add condensed milk, mix.
* Wet your hands in water so the mix doesn’t stick to you
* Shape ½ tablespoon into ball
* Drop in the melted chocolate, use a teaspoon to make sure the ball is all covered.
* Remove with a fork and tap off the excess chocolate.
* Place the ball onto a roasting tray, tightly wrapped with clingfilm to create a springy base for the balls to set on (so they don’t get a flat base)
* Repeat the process until you have around 8-10 balls.
* Leave to cool until the chocolate sets.
* Once set, transfer the truffle pops, into a jar with a screwable lid.
Crumbed Chicken Strips
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 7 minutes
Serves 3
* ¾ c dried breadcrumbs
* ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
* 1 T dried oregano
* 1 ½ t chicken stock powder
* ½ t salt
* ½ t black pepper
* 2 eggs (medium)
* 2 big cloves grated garlic
* 1 T very finely chopped onion
* 3 chicken fillets
Method
* Preheat the oven to 180 C and lightly grease a baking tray with butter.
* Mix the breadcrumbs with the cheese, oregano, chicken stock powder, salt and pepper and transfer to a plate.
* Whisk the eggs and grate in the garlic, add the chopped onion and mix
* Put on wide dish
Place next to the breadcrumb-mix.
* Now cut the chicken into strips.
* Coat the chicken in crumbs, dip in egg and then coat in crumbs again.
* Place the strips individually on the prepared tray and bake for 5 minutes.
* Turn and bake for 2 more minutes for crisping other side. Can be served warm or cold.
Pap Cakes
Serves 8 with a little leftover
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 40 minutes
* 2 L water
* 2 T chicken stock powder
* 5 cups maize meal (white star)
* 2 T melted butter
Mix with
* 1 T butter
* 375g/ 1 ½ packs of bacon
* 2 finely chopped onions
* 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
* 2 green peppers, finely chopped
* 4 T parsley, chopped
* 4 T coriander, chopped
Method
* Mix the cold water with stock powder to make a stock and bring to the boil.
* Then whisk in the maize meal, adding a little at a time, whisk continuously to remove any lumps.
* Now using a wooden spoon. stir, beating the pap against the pan until it comes together. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
* Stir again and cook for another 20 minutes until cooked.
* Add butter to sauté pan and cook the bacon, onions and garlic for 5 minutes over a high heat, until the fat is rendered over. Add the herbs and stir.
* Add the bacon and vegetable mix to the pap and stir in.
* Transfer into a baking tin and press down until even. Cut into round shapes using cookie cutters and set aside in a warm place until serving time.