Alida creates the most amazing recipes and the way she presents it on her blog is so appetising and looks extremely delicious.

Alida’s blog (simply-delicious.co.za ) is also nominated for a SA Blog award in the Food and Wine category and we wish her the best of luck as she definitely deserves to be a finalist.

Recommended wine:

The Arniston Bay Chardonnay will pair perfectly with this creamy, chilly spicy calamari  dish.

Here is the recipe

Chili Risotto with Crispy Calamari

Serves 4

Ingredients

- 2 leeks, finely chopped

- 2 tbsn butter

- 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced

- 2 cups Risotto rice

- 250ml white wine

- 1-1.5l chicken stock

- 1/2 cup cream

- 2 fresh chillies, finely chopped or use as much crushed chillies as you can handle.

- 1 cup grated parmesan/pecorino

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 500g baby squid and calamari steak cut into strips

- 15ml cajun spice mixed with 4tbsn flour

- oil for deep frying

Directions

• - In a large pot/pan,  fry the leeks in the butter until soft. Add the garlic and fry for another minute or two.
• - Add the rice and stir, coating the rice with the oil. Add the wine and allow to reduce
• - Now, add the stock ladle by ladle. Stirring in between and allowing the rice to absorb the stock. The rice shouldn’t be completely dry before you add more, it should always be moist. Take care not to stir too much as you don’t want it to go stodgy.
• - Meanwhile, coat the squid and calamari with the seasoned flour.  Try to get the squid as dry as possible before coating with the flour, otherwise it will go a bit gloopy.
• - Heat the oil in a pot/wok and fry the squid and calamari until crisp. Set aside.
• - Finish the risotto by adding the cream, chillies and cheese.
• - Serve in bowls topped with a handful of the squid and calamari and some extra chillies and cheese.

Source: simply-delicious.co.za

Alida Ryder

This blog has been nominated for SA Blog Awards in two categories, namely Best food and wine blog and the best company blog.

Thanks to everyone who nominated this blog. If you haven’t already voted, please do vote for us. It’s easy. Click on the banner on the right of the page. Scroll down.  Fill in your email (confirm) and you’re done.

Thanks!

The Arniston Bay UK competition is now closed. Thanks to all the people who entered.

We will be announcing the winner within the next few days so be sure to hold thumbs and keep checking the website.

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!

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 32^nd 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