ost of us are old enough to remember the retro ‘Cheese and Wine’ party! And although the canapés were usually not exclusive to cheese and rather included all kinds of eatables on a cocktail stick, the term ‘Cheese and Wine’ more than suggested that cheese and wine should be a good combination.

According to the cookbook, Ukutya Kwasekhaya: Tastes from Nelson Mandela’s Kitchen by Xoliswa Ndoyiya, the personal chef of Nelson Mandela, the late president had a preference for simple, traditional food. One of his favourites was oxtail and in celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July, Chef Christiaan Visser suggests this recipe for Oxtail with samp and recommends you enjoy it with a refreshing carrot and pineapple salsa. 

Who does not like a proper Cheese Burger? Our Cheese Burgers on the Braai are easy to make with only a few pantry staples, a generous slice of Cheddar and of course, a glass of Leopard’s Leap Natura De-alcolised Classic Red!

Lasagne are rectangular sheets of pasta, layered with a choice of saucy meat recipes for the popular dish Lasagna. Lasagne is the plural referring to a number of sheets, while Lasagna refers to a singular sheet or the dish itself.

Diversity is something South Africans know all about, but perhaps we don’t know as much about the diversity of pasta! How do you decide whether you want to cook long limbed linguine or charming farfalle? What is the difference between penne and fusilli? What is the meaning of lovely sounding names like orecchiette or tortellini? And have you ever heard about garganelli or cappelletti?

Pardus is the Latin for panther or leopard and of course a fitting name for a new addition to the Leopard’s Leap collection of wines. For me, though, this red blend is more than a new option in our range. Not only was it born from a desire to make my own wine again, but it also acknowledges a lifelong commitment to the protection of our natural treasures – especially through our support of the Cape Leopard Trust and the plight of the vulnerable Cape Mountain Leopard.

Going to a restaurant is not your best option in these crazy times. A picnic in the park is a much better alternative.

Homemade chicken nuggets are much healthier and tastier than the frozen versions you find at the store. They are also super easy to make. Serve as part of a picnic or as a delightful bight on its own, perhaps with a glass of 2020 Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc!       

With a long weekend ahead, most of us are looking forward to quality time with family, friends and loved ones. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time around the table with our easy to prepare breakfast and brunch ideas for a relaxed weekend morning.

A shimmering wine with a subtle pink undertone, Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Brut MCC pairs perfectly with the marigold-hued richness of egg yolk.