My sister recently got engaged (yay) and invited me along for a celebratory weekend in Hermanus with the parentals. I really needed the break away from my computer, been working way too hard lately, so off we went.
Now anyone who knows me will tell you that a family gathering is sure to mean enough food and drink to sort out all the attendees twice over.
We started off Friday eve with a good old braai, some nice pork loin chops and my dad pitched up with some of his own pork neck chops and boerewors. He has a smallholding of sorts where he farms with a couple of animals and produces meat and meat products for friends and family. His wors is really good, no pun intended! Haha
Saturday we had a kick-ass breakfast at the “new” deli in Hermanus called “The Daily Bread”. I enjoyed the vibe of the place and the food so much I actually forgot to take photos! Dad and I had a great farmhouse style breakfast, nicely presented on triangle shaped plates. One could see they used decent quality ingredients. Good coffee too! I really like the place and will be back!
Afterwards we went for a bit of a cruise, and ended up driving towards the harbour. Here they led me to a little gem, Lusitania Fisheries. We went in for a look and saw some nice looking fresh Yellowtail which I just had to buy. The ladies there sure know how to prep a fish, they had it done in no time and really knew what they were doing.
We rushed off home and flopped down on the couches for a bit. My mom is a total Rummikub addict, so we had to play a couple of rounds just to keep the peace. I even managed to win a few times! Score.
By now enough time has gone past in order for our stomaches to beginning to ask “Oi, what’s next?” Lucky for them sis and her fiancee already had that covered. He recently bought a Cobb and prides himself on being able to cook chicken. She really likes good bubbly, so Cobb Chicken on the beach (with plenty of bubbly) it was!
First off the man of the hour got his Cobb started, stuck a lemon up the chickens behind and rubbed it with olive oil. He then seasoned it with paprika and closed the lid.
Here is a pic of it sizzling away nicely, with some bubbly as company of course!
Like I said, bubbly was at the order of the day. Glasses were raised, silly songs were song, and even sillier remarks were made all round.
Ching Ching
And don’t forget the ring!
After about an hour the chicken was ready, I must admit I was quite impressed with this mini cooker thingy, very useful for situations like this!
I really like the taste of the lemon and paprika chicken, nice and light and full of flavour! Pity the ladies forgot to bring some salt with, would have raised it up a notch hahaha!
Anyway, back home we went for some more couch flopping. Believe it or not, it wasn’t long before our stomaches felt the need to debate the finer details of “What’s for dinner!?!” I was ready for that one with the fresh yellowtail on the braai. I made a quick basting with butter, garlic, parsley, chives and some lemon juice
Next we covered the bottom part of the grid with tin foil and put the fish skin side down on the foil. I seasoned it generously with salt and pepper and seared it, meat side down over medium high coals for 5 minutes. Next we turned it over, basted it with my sauce and returned it to the coals, foil side down for about 20 minutes.
Well to be honest it was supposed to be 20 minutes but the chicken man thought it was a good idea to do a double layer of foil on the grid which ended up blocking out too much heat, so our elapsed time was more like 40 minutes. Aaag by that time of the evening the drinks were flowing and no-one was really going to mind an extra 20 minutes or so.
In the mean time mom and sis was setting the stage inside. We got some nice wholewheat bread with some hanepoot (grape) jam and cheese!
Sis also slapped together a pretty interesting salad made with rocket, blueberries, avo and feta.
What a feast!
This was a truly great weekend, my batteries were recharged and I left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside! I wish all weekends could be like this!
Life is good!
