Spring Vegetable and Red Pesto Tart

I do enjoy a cooking challenge, and when I was contacted by the team at Faithful to Nature and invited to participate in their recent blogger competition I was immediately interested. The challenge was this - to create one seasonal, organic, vegetarian family meal using pantry products from Faithful to Nature as well as fresh organic produce. Each blogger received a voucher to purchase their choice of products from the thousands and thousands of products on the Faithful to Nature website, ordered their goodies online and then used them to create a delicious dish.

NUTELLA & PEACH BRAID

I may have overdone it this time... dieters, look away now! I was recently invited to participate in a Mystery Box Challenge, and last week when I received my hamper full of tempting ingredients from the lovely folks at Today I just had to squeeze them all into my dish.

Weekend at Birkenhead House, Hermanus

Recently I was lucky enough to enjoy the weekend of a lifetime when my husband and I stayed at the luxurious Birkenhead House &Villa in Voelklip, Hermanus. This was the prize that I received after winning the Two Oceans Simple Snacking Challenge last year. And before I forget, let me also just quickly apologise for the lack of recipe this week - will some pretty pictures do instead? 

Radio Tygerberg Potjie Competition

When I started blogging, one of my goals - apart from sharing my favourite recipes - was to challenge myself to try new ingredients and dishes. I certainly have done that a number of times, but last Saturday I truly stepped out of my comfort zone when this English cook from the Southern Suburbs agreed to take part in a potjiekos competition in the heart of the Boland as part of the Ommiberg "Round the Rock" Festival.

The I Made It Challenge: Paneer Curry

The weather man must have known what I had planned in the kitchen yesterday, and kindly arranged a cool and drizzly day in between the gloriously hot summer ones we have been experiencing lately. Perfect for being in the kitchen, and perfect for making a curry!

Salted Caramel Sauce

Christmas has come early to Cupcakes & Couscous with the second challenge I am participating in this month. The lovely Sam over at Pomegranate Days has teamed up with Karon Grieve from Larder Love to challenge bloggers to come up with their favourite foodie Christmas gifts. This is right up my street as I love giving foodie presents during the Festive Season - cookies, flavoured oils, roasted nuts... and this rather delectable salted caramel sauce. 

Two Oceans Simple Snacking Challenge

Last month I received an invitation to participate in the Two Oceans Simple Snacking Challenge, where Western Cape food bloggers were challenged to create a tasty snacking solution for four people with a budget of R100. The prize is a 2 night stay at Paternoster's Strandloper Ocean Boutique or Birkenhead House in Hermanus, how could I say no? 

Pecan, Almond & Honey Nougat: The I Made It Challenge

A few weeks ago I announced that the "I Made It" challenge for October would be nougat. This is something that I have always wanted to try, especially when I see images of perfect slabs of nougat online or fresh nougat bars in the shops. So when Tandy over at Lavender and Lime asked me to host the challenge this month I knew this was my chance to challenge myself to master this classic sweet.

I Made It: The October Challenge

Yesterday I told you about my first attempt at cassoulet which I decided to make as part of the I Made It challenge for September. Well I'm thrilled to announce that Tandy over at Lavender and Lime has asked me to host October's challenge! 

Chicken & Sausage Cassoulet: The I Made It Challenge

This month I decided to participate in my first "I Made It" challenge which happens monthly over at Lavender and Lime. I think it's a fantastic idea, getting us foodies into the kitchen and challenging ourselves with dishes we may never have attempted or mastered before. No prizes, the main goal is to have fun! Each month a new dish is chosen, and September's challenge was hosted by my friend Joanne over at The Food Crew. 

When I heard that Jo had chosen cassoulet as the dish of the month I was very keen to participate. Partly because I love French food and partly because I was still in challenge mode earlier in the month!