April 2023 - Lowveld

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of Keep calm and have a picnic April means the long lazy days of Summer are coming to an end and Autumn’s spicy, warm colours and comfort food flavours are coming into their own. End-of-Summer Lowveld days are balmy and wonderful. Still warm, but not sweltering, and the nights have just a slight chill to the air, not enough to make you cold, but enough to enjoy a mug of steaming hot chocolate. It’s also time for school holidays, which means it’s the perfect occasion to gather a few friends, family, kids or dogs, pack a basket chock full of delicious (portable) goodies, spread a picnic blanket somewhere pretty and relax, soaking up the tail end of Summer and the glorious Lowveld weather. There’s no need to venture too far afield. Your own back garden - or living room if the weather’s bad - will do. The idea is to get into the spirit a laid-back lifestyle, stopping to enjoy the smell of the coffee, even if it is only few a day or two here and there. We have to eat, and with the bounty available to us, there is no reason why we can’t eat well, even on a tight budget. Tasty snacks, decadent choccies and refreshing, zesty drinks can be whipped up in almost no time using local, fresh produce and a little elbow grease. Get the kids involved. We’ve put together a few recipes that are easy and will make everyone ask when the next picnic day will be. Also, with it being Easter, it’s also time to indulge your inner child (and sweet tooth!) and hide a few chocolate eggs for an Easter egg hunt. Is there a better way to spend the day? We think not! So don your sun hat, put on comfy pants and haul out your picnic blanket. One of the most basic foods, both to eat and make, is bread. There is a huge variety of types, flavours, shapes and sizes, but home-made is always best. And not nearly as difficult or time-consuming as you may think. Make a loaf, wrap it in a tea towel and add it to the basket to snack on while watching the kids play or to Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY 22 Get It Lowveld April 2023
accompany a fine, crisp white. Flat bread is the ideal addition to any picnic basket. Every culture in the world has their own version of this versatile staple, which is perfect as a quick nibble, a small side, or a hearty main, depending on with what you pair it. Add whatever toppings you fancy, drizzle with a little olive oil or dressing and wrap it up into a little parcel. Or simply dip into a tasty bowl of fresh hummus, guacamole or baba ganoush. Perfect on the go food! If making your own isn’t an option, pita breads work in a pinch. Quarter, drizzle with a little oil, add salt and lightly toast, then wrap up and add to your basket. A few topping ideas include sundried tomatoes, olives, roast chicken slivers, rocket, radicchio (or any type of lettuce), cucumber, shaved carrot, radish, pickles, cottage cheese, feta, cherry tomatoes, or cold meats. Or you can add the previously mentioned spreads along with toppings of your choice. Other great options are potato salad, green salad, cheese, muffins, quiche, Scotch eggs, pastries, nuts and fruit. Turkish flat bread Ingredients • 2 cups all-purpose flour • A hefty pinch of salt • ½ tsp aniseed (optional) • 1 cup tepid water • 2 tbsp vegetable oil Method Whisk the salt and aniseed, if using, into the flour. Make a well in the middle and add the water and oil. Using a spatula, slowly stir the water into the flour, scraping the excess off the sides. Once it has started coming together, lightly oil your hands and knead until the flour and water are well combined. Pat the dough into a ball and place in a bowl, then cover with a tea towel. Leave to rest for around 20 minutes. Break the dough up into golf ball sized balls, rolling in your hands until smooth. Using a rolling pin, flatten until you have a circle with a diameter of roughly 12 to 15cm. Heat a non-stick frying pan and toss your flat bread into the dry pan. Leave for a few minutes until the bottom is starting to crisp up and turn golden brown, then flip over and do the same on the other side. Be careful, they burn quite quickly. Note: The aniseed can be replaced with dried herbs, chilli flakes, sesame or poppy seeds, ground pepper or cumin. The flat breads can also be left plain, the toppings make all the difference. If you want something a little more robust than flatbread, the ubiquitous sandwich is always a winner. From paninis and baguettes to dainty finger sandwiches, the choices are endless. You can opt for whole wheat, sourdough, ancient grain or rye bread, and be as simple or as over-the-top as you like. Topping ideas include avocado, cherry tomato, red onion, mayo, mustard, gherkins, rocket, sautéed mushrooms, sliced aged Cheddar or Gouda, cucumber, smoked chicken or ham. The much-loved old favourite of freshly sliced tomato, salt, pepper and a splash of olive oil on whole grain is always a winner, as is peanut butter, jam or Marmite for the less fussy.
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April 2023 - Lowveld

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