Pork chops is probably one of the most underrated dishes. It is easy to prepare and it is very versatile. This recipe is and nice and easy recipe for a spicy pork chops with some cabbage and raisins. Truly divine.

Recommended wine: I would serve the Arniston Bay Shiraz 2008. This is a full bodied wine with intense dark colour subtle smoky and pepper spice nose with strong full middle palate and good tannin structure. Good finish with hints of coffee and chocolate in the aftertaste

Serves 4

Total Time: 25min

Ingredients

• - 3 tablespoons olive oil
• - 4 bone-in pork rib chops (about 2.5cm thick; 500g total)
• - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• - salt and black pepper
• - 1 onion, sliced
• - ½ small head red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
• - ½ cup golden raisins
• - ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• - ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
• - bread (optional)

Directions

1- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the pork with the cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes per side.

2- Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a second large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cabbage, raisins, vinegar, ¼ cup water, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, covered, tossing occasionally, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes; stir in the dill. Serve with the pork and bread, if using.

Source: realsimple

If you like what I’ve done on the Arniston Bay  blog  please nominate us for the SA Blog awards.

It’s easy. Click on the banner on the right of the page.  Fill in your email (confirm) and you done.

Thank you!

Arniston Bay is always been associated with the unwinding in tranquillity and we are set to continue this chill vibe at the forthcoming Women’s Show.

Shows and exhibitions can take its toll and really tire you out and that is why laid back brand , Arniston Bay  Wines,  decided to be the ‘Unwind Haven’  for visitors at this year’s Jo’burg Women’s Show.

This year’s Women’s Show promises to be an exciting event with numerous interesting talks, make up tips and exhibitions focusing on the celebration of being a women. The Show  will run from 27-29 August at the Coca Cola dome.

Come and join us for an unwinding glass of wine and stand a chance to win pampering foot hampers to revive tired tootsies.

For more info please visit: thewomensshow.co.za

This week is one of South Africa’s premier wine events as the 32nd Mercury Wine Week is hosted at Suncoast in Durban from 25-26 August.

This event is seen as one of Durban’s most popular social gatherings and organisers expect more than  5000 visitors this year.

This is always a great event and please join us for a glass wine at the Arniston Bay  stall.

Looking forward to see you there

For more info visit: themercurywineweek.co.za

South Africa has won over many fans for the hosting a great World Cup in the middle of our winter. Now you can stand a chance to visit this amazing country in the summer for an unforgettable beach holiday

You will also have a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and head for the tranquillity of Arniston Bay- an unspoilt coastline that’s synonymous with care-free lifestyle- simply by filling your glass with the fresh, crisp wine.

For more details visit arniston-bay.com 

* This competition is open to UK residents only.

Britain’s love affair with wine continues on the web as online wine sales are deemed to be the fastest growing area of UK retail.

The UK wine market is seen as one of the most important wine markets in the world in a recent report by Drinks business it is estimated that online wine sales are  in the vicinity of £200m per year with an annual growth of 23%.

Arniston Bay Wines are one of the UK’s favourite South African wines and numerous online outlets selling our wines.

Source: thedrinksbusiness.com

Sometimes you need some colour in life. The winter can be so gloomy and colourless and that is  why I decided it’s time for a colourful sosatie. 

This is a great recipe and it serves 4 comfortably. 

Recommended wine: The Arniston Bay Shiraz will definitely complement this meal 

Grilled Lamb Sosatie Recipe 

Ingredients  

2 medium green bell peppers, cut into 2cm pieces Salt and pepper 700g boneless lamb leg, trimmed and cut into 2.5 cm cubes 1 medium onion, cut into 2cm pieces 4 slices bacon, each cut into 4 pieces 1/2 cup olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 3 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of 1 large lemon) 2 tablespoons brandy 1 teaspoon tomato sauce 1 clove garlic 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper Vegetable oil for brushing the kebabs 

Method In a medium saucepan place peppers in boiling water. Return water to a boil. Remove peppers from water; drain. 

Sprinkle salt and pepper on lamb cubes. On eight 25cm skewers alternately thread meat, pepper, and onion pieces. Thread bacon pieces on both ends of each skewer. Set aside. 

In a blender or food processor purée oil, onion, lemon juice, brandy, tomato sauce, garlic, mustard, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper until smooth. 

Lightly oil sosaties and place in center of cooking grate. Grill 7 to 9 minutes for rare (140°F/60°C), 10 to 13 minutes for medium (160°F/71°C), or 14 to 17 minutes for medium-well (170°F/77°C), turning once halfway through grilling time. Brush sosaties with purée occasionally during last half of grilling time. 

Note: If using wooden skewers, soak in water thirty minutes before using so ends won’t burn during grilling time. 

Source: barbecue-party.com

Life is rushing by and we really don’t have the time to treat ourselves. But this Women’s day is probably the right day to get the batteries recharged,  relax and untwined. Do it,  you deserve it.

A few tips to relax and unwind, and to spoil yourself a bit this Women’s Day.

• Take a bubble bath

Light some candles. Play some of your favourite relaxing music. Run a warm bubble bath, and let your troubles soak away. Taking a warm bubble bath will relax your muscles, and put you in a more focused state. A glass of wine can also help to set the relaxing mood.

• Go to the spa

Getting a spa treatment is relaxing, and should help to get you in the right frame of mind to chill and relax

• Buy something for yourself

Treat yourself with something that you really like but never get the time to convince yourself to buy it.

• Get some rest

Take a timeout, rent a movie and relax at home. Me time is necessary and you never make time to spend with your best friend … you.

• Open a bottle of Arniston Bay bubbly

This wine has been described as an elegant wine with fresh bubbles and a crispy finish. This is just what you need to spoil and yourself.

Arniston Bay Wines salute all women who make a difference and we hope you enjoy your Women’s Day.

Source: essortment.com

Robyn MacLarty’s amazing salad recipe got the nod for recipe of the month. She is the our first SA food blogger winner with this stunning dish and post.

This recipe looks so delicious and the way she presents it on her blog ( KOEK! ) makes your mouth water.

Recommended wine: This salad will be perfectly complemented by the Arniston Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

Here is Robyn’s recipe:

 Chickpea and cauliflower salad with olive-anchovy dressing

1 head cauliflower, broken into florets Half a loaf of ciabatta (sourdough/bread made with olive oil), crust removed and torn into chunks Extra virgin olive oil, to taste 3 anchovy fillets 1 clove garlic 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 cup black olives, drained and finely chopped Juice and zest of 1 lemon 2 handfuls rocket

1. Lightly steam the cauliflower until just cooked (but still very firm), then plunge into icy water to prevent further cooking. 2. Arrange the bread chunks on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Roast until golden. 3. In a pestle and mortar, mash the anchovy and garlic until you have a paste. Add the lemon juice, zest and a good glug olive oil, and whisk to create a dressing. Season to taste. 4. In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, chickpeas, olives and dressing, and stir so everything’s nicely coated. 5. Arrange the rocket on a platter and top with the cauliflower and chickpeas. Sprinkle with the croutons, drizzle over any remaining dressing and serve.

Robyn MacLarty:

Source: maclarty.blogspot.com

 We are giving away monthly wine prizes to South African food bloggers.

The best recipe or food blog post of the month will win wine prizes from Arniston Bay Wines.

How do you enter?

-          Post the URL  link of your recipe on our Facebook page

-          Use Twitter  – send URL links to @arnistonbay  

-          All entries on South African Food Blogger Showcase’s Facebook group are automatically reviewed

I’ll keep you posted

Flyers all over the world have their own way of adding a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring journey. Some people make their in-flight food choice such a big event that they debate their opinions (“Chicken or beef?”) for more than half an hour. Others try to make friends and talk to everyone around them. Not my cup of tea.

I like to read a book and enjoy a wine that complements my chicken of beef. I love to try a new wine or to see what wines the airline has on offer.

I’m not the only one.  I came across the blogpost   of a guy named Terry, who writes about his recent Delta Airlines flight from Seattle and the great wine (Arniston Bay Chardonnay / Chenin Blanc) he had on flight.

Then I followed the link via Linkedin and I ‘know’ what this complete stranger looks like and what his are interests. It appears that we share the same taste in wine and have the same ways of killing time on an plane. The technological era which were are living in is simply amazing!

Source: winetrailtraveler.com