• Father’s Day Gift Basket Idea: (Or one for the Gentle Baker): Heritage Baking Cookbook - with tips on raising a sourdough culture, and techniques for kneading in the flavours of classic rustic breads. Sourdough Starter Culture Bread Lame Knife for Scoring Decoratively Dough Banneton Basket - for proofing dough. Rice Flour - for coating Banneton White Bread Flour Ceramic filled with Za’atar - For mixing with olive oil to dip the warm bread into later. Beetroot Salt with Pink Peppercorns to both brighten and season the bread -Because Paul Hollywood said your bread needs to have flavour. I figure if a dad can raise a kid, he can raise a sourdough too. So Happy Father’s Day tomorrow! To both the dads and the moms who fulfill this role. #giftbasket #Fathersday #baker #banneton #food #deli #bread #sourdough #present #giftidea
    185 5
    Father’s Day Gift Basket Idea: (Or one for the Gentle Baker): Heritage Baking Cookbook - with tips on raising a sourdough culture, and techniques for kneading in the flavours of classic rustic breads. Sourdough Starter Culture Bread Lame Knife for Scoring Decoratively Dough Banneton Basket - for proofing dough. Rice Flour - for coating Banneton White Bread Flour Ceramic filled with Za’atar - For mixing with olive oil to dip the warm bread into later. Beetroot Salt with Pink Peppercorns to both brighten and season the bread -Because Paul Hollywood said your bread needs to have flavour. I figure if a dad can raise a kid, he can raise a sourdough too. So Happy Father’s Day tomorrow! To both the dads and the moms who fulfill this role. #giftbasket #Fathersday #baker #banneton #food #deli #bread #sourdough #present #giftidea
  • The Olive Branch Deli Team will be taking a day of rest on Monday 15 June and will reopen on Wednesday 17 June after the Public Holiday (Tuesday 16 June).
    248 9
    The Olive Branch Deli Team will be taking a day of rest on Monday 15 June and will reopen on Wednesday 17 June after the Public Holiday (Tuesday 16 June).
  • First thing’s first: We are open during lockdown! There’s this verse in Acts 2:46- “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart”. The spirit of freshly baked bread rises in the steam and strolls around the house, blessing each room with the warm smell of love. When you invest all the eggs of your time into one Banneton basket: growing a sourdough culture, kneading the dough, proofing it, waiting for it to bake, then letting it rest again. A feeling of gratitude for the simple things in life permeates through the flavour and seeps into your demeanor. Hands become caked with the labour of humility. Normally work over kneads us into something tensely dense, unable to roll out the gold carpet of dough. But never in my life have so many people been baking that I have to bodyguard yeast behind the counter like it’s Beyoncé. Flour too has become an illusive celebrity. If you see rye or cake flour, be sure to ask for its autograph. If you see bread flour or even whole wheat, take a selfie because that’s rare. And if you encounter Bi-Carb... don’t tell anyone because that’s on the endangered species list at the moment. But thankfully, with the exception of bicarbonate of soda, we have a gathering of these famous flours present in the deli. As well as sourdough starters. And rather fortuitously, a few weeks before the lockdown began, we received a small order of proofing baskets (Bannetons), some bread scorers (which are called Lame), and Dough Scrapers. However, we will only be permitted to sell these bread equipment tools after lockdown. Here’s a website to learn how to use proofing baskets in the meantime: https://www.weekendbakery.com/posts/baking-bread-the-use-of-proofing-baskets/ #bread #sourdough #banneton #proofing #baking #deli #capetown #food #tartine #lockdown
    317 42
    First thing’s first: We are open during lockdown! There’s this verse in Acts 2:46- “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart”. The spirit of freshly baked bread rises in the steam and strolls around the house, blessing each room with the warm smell of love. When you invest all the eggs of your time into one Banneton basket: growing a sourdough culture, kneading the dough, proofing it, waiting for it to bake, then letting it rest again. A feeling of gratitude for the simple things in life permeates through the flavour and seeps into your demeanor. Hands become caked with the labour of humility. Normally work over kneads us into something tensely dense, unable to roll out the gold carpet of dough. But never in my life have so many people been baking that I have to bodyguard yeast behind the counter like it’s Beyoncé. Flour too has become an illusive celebrity. If you see rye or cake flour, be sure to ask for its autograph. If you see bread flour or even whole wheat, take a selfie because that’s rare. And if you encounter Bi-Carb... don’t tell anyone because that’s on the endangered species list at the moment. But thankfully, with the exception of bicarbonate of soda, we have a gathering of these famous flours present in the deli. As well as sourdough starters. And rather fortuitously, a few weeks before the lockdown began, we received a small order of proofing baskets (Bannetons), some bread scorers (which are called Lame), and Dough Scrapers. However, we will only be permitted to sell these bread equipment tools after lockdown. Here’s a website to learn how to use proofing baskets in the meantime: https://www.weekendbakery.com/posts/baking-bread-the-use-of-proofing-baskets/ #bread #sourdough #banneton #proofing #baking #deli #capetown #food #tartine #lockdown
  • With fresh, soft, supple pinchable cheeks, Kleinsky’s Bagels are ridiculously hard to resist. Available at @olivebranchdeli. After today, they go in the freezer. #bagels #Kleinsky #food #deli #capetown #meal #breakfast #instafood #lunch
    90 6
    With fresh, soft, supple pinchable cheeks, Kleinsky’s Bagels are ridiculously hard to resist. Available at @olivebranchdeli. After today, they go in the freezer. #bagels #Kleinsky #food #deli #capetown #meal #breakfast #instafood #lunch
  • A poignant, contextual poem: This Little Piggie BY MOTHER GOOSE This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none. This little piggy went ... Wee, wee, wee, all the way home! Piggy Macarons filled with Hazelnut Buttercream from @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli. #macaron #piggy #poem #travel #capetown #deli #southafrica #food #instafood
    59 0
    A poignant, contextual poem: This Little Piggie BY MOTHER GOOSE This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none. This little piggy went ... Wee, wee, wee, all the way home! Piggy Macarons filled with Hazelnut Buttercream from @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli. #macaron #piggy #poem #travel #capetown #deli #southafrica #food #instafood
  • WALLY and WHIZ Winegums sounds like something popping out of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Shop. Thus playing with my foods seems like the right kind of a cheeky spell to cast light on them. Their peregrine flavour combinations mingled with their animated fruity perfumes are curious puzzles you want to solve with others. Familiar but extraordinary. There’s Apple & Yuzu, Blackcurrent & Strawberry, Mango & Passionfruit, and Elderflower & Ginger. And much more yet to come to South Africa. Finally a Rubik’s Cube we can solve: Just Eat It! Their ethos is ‘one world, one winegum’. Make something that everyone can enjoy. That’s why these are all vegan (dairy and gelatin-free), gluten-free, and contain no artificial colourants or flavours. This is a strong intention from their creator, Kristian Them Hansens. It came from his desire to honestly taste the fruit listed on winegum packaging. And it all started in a small apartment in Østerbro, Copenhagen. Armed with a bottle of blackcurrant juice, a bag of vegan starch, a bit of citrus, and endless experimentation (still to this day) to produce these Nordic Winegums. #wallyandwhiz #candy #confectionery #food #deli #rubikscube #rubix #capetoqn #travel #Denmark #copenhagen #vegan #glutenfree #vegetarian
    185 2
    WALLY and WHIZ Winegums sounds like something popping out of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Shop. Thus playing with my foods seems like the right kind of a cheeky spell to cast light on them. Their peregrine flavour combinations mingled with their animated fruity perfumes are curious puzzles you want to solve with others. Familiar but extraordinary. There’s Apple & Yuzu, Blackcurrent & Strawberry, Mango & Passionfruit, and Elderflower & Ginger. And much more yet to come to South Africa. Finally a Rubik’s Cube we can solve: Just Eat It! Their ethos is ‘one world, one winegum’. Make something that everyone can enjoy. That’s why these are all vegan (dairy and gelatin-free), gluten-free, and contain no artificial colourants or flavours. This is a strong intention from their creator, Kristian Them Hansens. It came from his desire to honestly taste the fruit listed on winegum packaging. And it all started in a small apartment in Østerbro, Copenhagen. Armed with a bottle of blackcurrant juice, a bag of vegan starch, a bit of citrus, and endless experimentation (still to this day) to produce these Nordic Winegums. #wallyandwhiz #candy #confectionery #food #deli #rubikscube #rubix #capetoqn #travel #Denmark #copenhagen #vegan #glutenfree #vegetarian
  • Blue Crab Macs filled with a Salty Butterscotch Buttercream from @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli. Did you know that the collective noun for these creatures is a ‘cast’ or ‘consortium’ of crabs? I didn’t know what the latter meant so that intrigued me. I thought it was something like a concert (consort-ium) because you get rock crabs. So it would it been a rock concert of crabs. But no. A consortium is just an association, typically of multiple companies. Who makes up these collective nouns? And where is their mind’s word consortiums to make the puns? I can just feel that I’m using the word wrong. Anyways. A male blue crab is called a Jimmy. They have a distinct brilliant blue shading on their shells and claws. The name Jimmy means a ‘surplanter’, which is someone who supersedes. And the female blue crabs are called “Sooks”, recognized by their rounded aprons on their undersides and red the tips on their claws- almost like a lady with red painted nails. ‘Sook’ means either a crybaby or a cowardly person, but in Korean (숙) it means ‘Pure’. So I guess that means we have a lot of Jimmies to supersede you! Lastly, the scientific name for a Blue Crab is a Callinectes sapdius, which means a “beautiful savory swimmer.” We coincidently stock Blue Soft Shelled Crabs at the deli. On order request. #bluecrabs #crab #macaron #chef #capetown #funfacts #deli #capetown #travel
    108 2
    Blue Crab Macs filled with a Salty Butterscotch Buttercream from @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli. Did you know that the collective noun for these creatures is a ‘cast’ or ‘consortium’ of crabs? I didn’t know what the latter meant so that intrigued me. I thought it was something like a concert (consort-ium) because you get rock crabs. So it would it been a rock concert of crabs. But no. A consortium is just an association, typically of multiple companies. Who makes up these collective nouns? And where is their mind’s word consortiums to make the puns? I can just feel that I’m using the word wrong. Anyways. A male blue crab is called a Jimmy. They have a distinct brilliant blue shading on their shells and claws. The name Jimmy means a ‘surplanter’, which is someone who supersedes. And the female blue crabs are called “Sooks”, recognized by their rounded aprons on their undersides and red the tips on their claws- almost like a lady with red painted nails. ‘Sook’ means either a crybaby or a cowardly person, but in Korean (숙) it means ‘Pure’. So I guess that means we have a lot of Jimmies to supersede you! Lastly, the scientific name for a Blue Crab is a Callinectes sapdius, which means a “beautiful savory swimmer.” We coincidently stock Blue Soft Shelled Crabs at the deli. On order request. #bluecrabs #crab #macaron #chef #capetown #funfacts #deli #capetown #travel
  • Hannam & Co. Seeded Buckwheat Bread, melted farm butter, and an entire population of fish. And a house plant because this is instagram. Ingredients available at @olivebranchdeli. #caviar #deli #houseplant #toast #breakfast #lunch
    30 0
    Hannam & Co. Seeded Buckwheat Bread, melted farm butter, and an entire population of fish. And a house plant because this is instagram. Ingredients available at @olivebranchdeli. #caviar #deli #houseplant #toast #breakfast #lunch
  • A herd of sheep’s milk goods shepherded into the deli. There’s Pet’s Milk, Kefir, Yoghurt, Halloumi and Hard Cheeses available. It has almost double the amount of milk solids than cow’s milk, making it ideal for cheese makers because it allows for a greater yield. It also coagulates faster and produces firmer curd than cow’s milk. And it can froth for cappuccino lovers. In terms of other health benefits: Great for the skin! Rich in extra fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, sheep’s milk helps to: Moisturize, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It contains 3 times the amount of alpha linolenic acid than cow’s milk. This provides moisture and plumpness to the skin. And fortifies the skin barrier, lending protection from harmful UV rays and air pollutants (like smoke) that result in wrinkles. Brighten the skin because lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, which is a gentle exfoliant. As well as folic acid, which not only promotes hair growth but gives the skin a healthy, natural glow. Reduce redness and breakouts because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It contains something called Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which has the anti-inflammatory properties. Protect and repair skin, as it contains a high concentration of nutrients like Vitamin E. Possibly treat people with eczema or allergies due to its uniquely high levels of zinc, peptides and nucleosides. #sheep #sheepmilk #health #healthy #beauty #healthtip #food #deli
    63 0
    A herd of sheep’s milk goods shepherded into the deli. There’s Pet’s Milk, Kefir, Yoghurt, Halloumi and Hard Cheeses available. It has almost double the amount of milk solids than cow’s milk, making it ideal for cheese makers because it allows for a greater yield. It also coagulates faster and produces firmer curd than cow’s milk. And it can froth for cappuccino lovers. In terms of other health benefits: Great for the skin! Rich in extra fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, sheep’s milk helps to: Moisturize, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It contains 3 times the amount of alpha linolenic acid than cow’s milk. This provides moisture and plumpness to the skin. And fortifies the skin barrier, lending protection from harmful UV rays and air pollutants (like smoke) that result in wrinkles. Brighten the skin because lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, which is a gentle exfoliant. As well as folic acid, which not only promotes hair growth but gives the skin a healthy, natural glow. Reduce redness and breakouts because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It contains something called Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which has the anti-inflammatory properties. Protect and repair skin, as it contains a high concentration of nutrients like Vitamin E. Possibly treat people with eczema or allergies due to its uniquely high levels of zinc, peptides and nucleosides. #sheep #sheepmilk #health #healthy #beauty #healthtip #food #deli
  • A herd of sheep’s milk goods shepherded into the deli from All About Sheep. There’s Pet’s Milk, Kefir, Yoghurt, Halloumi and Hard Cheeses available. Milk is the original comfort food. So what does it taste like? It’s a lot like cow’s milk. It’s mildly sweet and wonderfully creamy with no strong aroma, saltiness or the gamey flavour you’d expect from goat’s milk. Sheep’s and Camel’s milk (which we also stock) are renowned for their health advantages. It’s a High Energy Protein Drink! Sheep’s milk is wealthy in Medium Chain Fatty Acids or Triglycerides (MCT). Roughly 25% of MCT is found in sheep’s milk fat. This quality facilitates weight control by promoting fullness, lessening fat deposits, and increasing energy expenditure. MCT is special because it doesn’t follow the normal lipid route through the lymph system, but rather travels to where it will be oxidized into fast available energy for the body. For this reason as well as its high protein levels, makes it an asset to sportspeople (like those doing the Argus Cycle Tour). However, as it is so high in protein, it is NOT recommended to babies. * “That’s great and all, but I’m lactose intolerant!” The fat globules in sheep milk are smaller than that of a goat or a cow, allowing for a more homogenous digest. As for its yoghurt, the lactose is converted into lactic acid. And in the cheese production, the lactose is set free in the whey. It’s also A2-type milk, the easier one to break down. The A1 type is the usual suspect for bloating and stomach cramping. In comparison to goat and cow’s milk, it exceeds (doubling and tripling at times) in values of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, thiamine, riboflavin, Vitamins B6, B12, C, D. Riboflavin is a vitamin needed for growth. It helps to break down carbs, proteins and fats to produce energy and it allows for oxygen to be used in the body, increasing blood circulation too. It contains almost a third more energy than cow’s milk. Because it has 2 times the amount of fat than the latter, particularly the mono-unsaturated kind, it helps to absorb more vitamins and nutrients and transport them around the body. It can also help lower LDL cholesterol.
    53 1
    A herd of sheep’s milk goods shepherded into the deli from All About Sheep. There’s Pet’s Milk, Kefir, Yoghurt, Halloumi and Hard Cheeses available. Milk is the original comfort food. So what does it taste like? It’s a lot like cow’s milk. It’s mildly sweet and wonderfully creamy with no strong aroma, saltiness or the gamey flavour you’d expect from goat’s milk. Sheep’s and Camel’s milk (which we also stock) are renowned for their health advantages. It’s a High Energy Protein Drink! Sheep’s milk is wealthy in Medium Chain Fatty Acids or Triglycerides (MCT). Roughly 25% of MCT is found in sheep’s milk fat. This quality facilitates weight control by promoting fullness, lessening fat deposits, and increasing energy expenditure. MCT is special because it doesn’t follow the normal lipid route through the lymph system, but rather travels to where it will be oxidized into fast available energy for the body. For this reason as well as its high protein levels, makes it an asset to sportspeople (like those doing the Argus Cycle Tour). However, as it is so high in protein, it is NOT recommended to babies. * “That’s great and all, but I’m lactose intolerant!” The fat globules in sheep milk are smaller than that of a goat or a cow, allowing for a more homogenous digest. As for its yoghurt, the lactose is converted into lactic acid. And in the cheese production, the lactose is set free in the whey. It’s also A2-type milk, the easier one to break down. The A1 type is the usual suspect for bloating and stomach cramping. In comparison to goat and cow’s milk, it exceeds (doubling and tripling at times) in values of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, thiamine, riboflavin, Vitamins B6, B12, C, D. Riboflavin is a vitamin needed for growth. It helps to break down carbs, proteins and fats to produce energy and it allows for oxygen to be used in the body, increasing blood circulation too. It contains almost a third more energy than cow’s milk. Because it has 2 times the amount of fat than the latter, particularly the mono-unsaturated kind, it helps to absorb more vitamins and nutrients and transport them around the body. It can also help lower LDL cholesterol.
  • Certified Organic Summer Orange Pumpkins available at @olivebranchdeli. This morning’s sunrise lightsabered rays of shimmering orange hues powerful enough to stop anyone in their tracks. I think there’s something about this bright colour that makes a person feel stilled. Which is probably why these pumpkins are so darn captivating. Can you imagine using these as Cinnamon Pumpkin Soup Bowls? And dunking a thick buttered wedge of Toasted Sourdough Bread into this orange lava with melted pecorino cheese cobwebbing it as you remove the slice? Heavenly heaven. #soup #pumpkin #summerorange #deli #chef #food #antiquebasket
    51 1
    Certified Organic Summer Orange Pumpkins available at @olivebranchdeli. This morning’s sunrise lightsabered rays of shimmering orange hues powerful enough to stop anyone in their tracks. I think there’s something about this bright colour that makes a person feel stilled. Which is probably why these pumpkins are so darn captivating. Can you imagine using these as Cinnamon Pumpkin Soup Bowls? And dunking a thick buttered wedge of Toasted Sourdough Bread into this orange lava with melted pecorino cheese cobwebbing it as you remove the slice? Heavenly heaven. #soup #pumpkin #summerorange #deli #chef #food #antiquebasket
  • Stocktaking month means we’re here way earlier than usual. Thus we see this man lumped on the bench outside, waiting patiently for a whole 30 minutes until we open at 9am. Normally we see customers tapping on the glass maybe 7 minutes before we open, impatiently signing with their hand and their invisible watch as to when they will be granted access. So half an hour is a bit much. We go check up on this man and he explains that when he googled our opening times, it was listed as 08:30. That’s 30 minutes of confusion. It turned out that when he searched for us online, a deli in Australia came up called the Olive Branch Grove. “That’s my favourite Deli,” the gentleman joked, “they’re much more ahead than you guys...” “Yeah, they’re 9 hours ahead,” I respond. “They’re closed now actually. That’s why I came here instead.” * It’s always amusing when our customers are on the phone, trying to describe where they are to their friends on the other line. But they don’t remember our name so they make up new ones. I’ve heard ones such as: The Health Shop, The Children’s Deli, The Greek Deli, The Olive Something, That Place Next To Woolworths, and etc. It’s funny because by the end of October we’ll be half a decade old. Anyhoo, Koala Macs filled with Hazelnut Buttercream from @bythewhisk available at The Healthy Greek Olive Something Children Shop Next To Woolworths etc. As well as Bamboo Straws! #koalas #Australia #macarons #deli #food #bamboo #straws
    85 15
    Stocktaking month means we’re here way earlier than usual. Thus we see this man lumped on the bench outside, waiting patiently for a whole 30 minutes until we open at 9am. Normally we see customers tapping on the glass maybe 7 minutes before we open, impatiently signing with their hand and their invisible watch as to when they will be granted access. So half an hour is a bit much. We go check up on this man and he explains that when he googled our opening times, it was listed as 08:30. That’s 30 minutes of confusion. It turned out that when he searched for us online, a deli in Australia came up called the Olive Branch Grove. “That’s my favourite Deli,” the gentleman joked, “they’re much more ahead than you guys...” “Yeah, they’re 9 hours ahead,” I respond. “They’re closed now actually. That’s why I came here instead.” * It’s always amusing when our customers are on the phone, trying to describe where they are to their friends on the other line. But they don’t remember our name so they make up new ones. I’ve heard ones such as: The Health Shop, The Children’s Deli, The Greek Deli, The Olive Something, That Place Next To Woolworths, and etc. It’s funny because by the end of October we’ll be half a decade old. Anyhoo, Koala Macs filled with Hazelnut Buttercream from @bythewhisk available at The Healthy Greek Olive Something Children Shop Next To Woolworths etc. As well as Bamboo Straws! #koalas #Australia #macarons #deli #food #bamboo #straws
  • Coconut Buttercream Macarons at @olivebranchdeli from @bythewhisk. Now all gone.
    65 3
    Coconut Buttercream Macarons at @olivebranchdeli from @bythewhisk. Now all gone.
  • 1 Bunny + 1 Bunny = 12. Offspring available at @olivebranchdeli. #macarons #bunny
    45 2
    1 Bunny + 1 Bunny = 12. Offspring available at @olivebranchdeli. #macarons #bunny
  • Wheels and Peels of fallen Autumn leaves in the form of dried Bergamot. You cannot imagine how powerful the aroma is being exuded out. It’s as if a lemon decided to wear the spicy perfume of an orange blossom mixed with the warming smell of roasted orange and yuzu peel. There’s something of an Angelica Flake too. Health-wise, its intense natural oil treats coughs. Its also known in aromatherapy to soothe anxiety. You can infuse it into both savory and dessert courses. Like Tomato Sauces, Roasted Fish drizzled with Bergamot Butter, or infuse it into Salad Dressings. On the sweet side there’s: Panna Cottas, Cakes, Brûlée’s, and Meringues. Or even prepare your own tea blends. For mixologists particularly, I think this is the next big ingredient of the season. Bergamot has this look-you-straight-in-the-eye kind of confidence that peaks anyone’s attention. Available at @olivebranchdeli #bergamot #mixologist #dessert #chef #capetown #fruit #health
    64 2
    Wheels and Peels of fallen Autumn leaves in the form of dried Bergamot. You cannot imagine how powerful the aroma is being exuded out. It’s as if a lemon decided to wear the spicy perfume of an orange blossom mixed with the warming smell of roasted orange and yuzu peel. There’s something of an Angelica Flake too. Health-wise, its intense natural oil treats coughs. Its also known in aromatherapy to soothe anxiety. You can infuse it into both savory and dessert courses. Like Tomato Sauces, Roasted Fish drizzled with Bergamot Butter, or infuse it into Salad Dressings. On the sweet side there’s: Panna Cottas, Cakes, Brûlée’s, and Meringues. Or even prepare your own tea blends. For mixologists particularly, I think this is the next big ingredient of the season. Bergamot has this look-you-straight-in-the-eye kind of confidence that peaks anyone’s attention. Available at @olivebranchdeli #bergamot #mixologist #dessert #chef #capetown #fruit #health
  • Figs are so beautiful to capture. I know because as a child we used to ‘reappropriate’ them from stranger’s gardens. Now we sell them. We’ve come a long way. A new batch of figs available at @olivebranchdeli. #figs #fig #health #healthy #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #vegetarian #fruit
    106 1
    Figs are so beautiful to capture. I know because as a child we used to ‘reappropriate’ them from stranger’s gardens. Now we sell them. We’ve come a long way. A new batch of figs available at @olivebranchdeli. #figs #fig #health #healthy #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #vegetarian #fruit
  • Rose Harissa No.6 includes: Pure Rose Water from Lebanon Natural Honey Perfumed Rosebuds from Iran Roasted Whole Garlic Heads, Chilli and Bell Peppers Smokey Sweet Chilies Toasted Black Caraway and Cumin Seeds Refined Sherry Vinegar Preserved Lemons Intenso Olive Oil Turkish Pul Biber Fleur De Sel Available at @olivebranchdeli. I love using it as a base for Lahmacun (a Turkish type of Pizza without cheese. The Lebanese call it Lahm B’ajeen). Or dipping grilled halloumi sticks in its red coating. But often Rose Harissa is used as a spicy, slightly smokey sweet marinade for chicken or fish (like Panfried Sea Bass). Ottolenghi though made a Rose Harissa Papardelle with Black Olives and Capers. Jamie Oliver’s vegan option was grilling a giant head of cauliflower lathered with Rose Harissa in the oven. Or tossing potatoes in the marinade and baking them in the oven. There’s also Roasted Rose Harissa Carrots with Tahini and fresh Pomegranate Nibs. If it’s too spicy, then mixing it with labneh (strained yoghurt) makes for a memorable dip on the side or a moisturizer for food if being baked. Happy Eating! #Roseharissa #Deli #Capetown #rose #rosebuds #chef #ottolenghi #ottolenghirecipe #ottolenghisimple #recipe #vegetarian #vegan #instaeats
    86 10
    Rose Harissa No.6 includes: Pure Rose Water from Lebanon Natural Honey Perfumed Rosebuds from Iran Roasted Whole Garlic Heads, Chilli and Bell Peppers Smokey Sweet Chilies Toasted Black Caraway and Cumin Seeds Refined Sherry Vinegar Preserved Lemons Intenso Olive Oil Turkish Pul Biber Fleur De Sel Available at @olivebranchdeli. I love using it as a base for Lahmacun (a Turkish type of Pizza without cheese. The Lebanese call it Lahm B’ajeen). Or dipping grilled halloumi sticks in its red coating. But often Rose Harissa is used as a spicy, slightly smokey sweet marinade for chicken or fish (like Panfried Sea Bass). Ottolenghi though made a Rose Harissa Papardelle with Black Olives and Capers. Jamie Oliver’s vegan option was grilling a giant head of cauliflower lathered with Rose Harissa in the oven. Or tossing potatoes in the marinade and baking them in the oven. There’s also Roasted Rose Harissa Carrots with Tahini and fresh Pomegranate Nibs. If it’s too spicy, then mixing it with labneh (strained yoghurt) makes for a memorable dip on the side or a moisturizer for food if being baked. Happy Eating! #Roseharissa #Deli #Capetown #rose #rosebuds #chef #ottolenghi #ottolenghirecipe #ottolenghisimple #recipe #vegetarian #vegan #instaeats
  • Four years ago customers would constantly always ask us who makes all these treats. Now they see them - still with no branding whatsoever - and immediately recognize it’s Thankgoodnessfoods. That takes hard work. On top of the already difficult task of making something gluten, dairy and refined-sugar free taste better than the original. Baked Cinnamon Apple and Gingered Dates Muffins available at @olivebranchdeli. #deli #capetown #travel #food #instaeats #muffins #health #healthy #vegan #HarryPotter
    105 6
    Four years ago customers would constantly always ask us who makes all these treats. Now they see them - still with no branding whatsoever - and immediately recognize it’s Thankgoodnessfoods. That takes hard work. On top of the already difficult task of making something gluten, dairy and refined-sugar free taste better than the original. Baked Cinnamon Apple and Gingered Dates Muffins available at @olivebranchdeli. #deli #capetown #travel #food #instaeats #muffins #health #healthy #vegan #HarryPotter
  • Doughnut Macarons ringing in with a Chocolate Buttercream from @bythewhisk. To be Michael Jordon dunked into an expresso because it’s Saturday. Available at @olivebranchdeli. #macaron #doughnut #donut #food #deli #instaeats #travel
    56 1
    Doughnut Macarons ringing in with a Chocolate Buttercream from @bythewhisk. To be Michael Jordon dunked into an expresso because it’s Saturday. Available at @olivebranchdeli. #macaron #doughnut #donut #food #deli #instaeats #travel
  • Crates of purple figs available again @olivebranchdeli! #figs #deli #capetown #food #chef
    152 4
    Crates of purple figs available again @olivebranchdeli! #figs #deli #capetown #food #chef
  • I call these, “Mommy can I have one” Lollies. Bonbons Barnier available @olivebranchdeli. #french #lolly #deli #capetown
    48 1
    I call these, “Mommy can I have one” Lollies. Bonbons Barnier available @olivebranchdeli. #french #lolly #deli #capetown
  • Avocado Macarons jollied with Pistachio Buttercream and a Dark Chocolate Heart Centre by @bythewhisk available @olivebranchdeli. #avocado #glutenfree #macaron #avocadomacaron
    58 3
    Avocado Macarons jollied with Pistachio Buttercream and a Dark Chocolate Heart Centre by @bythewhisk available @olivebranchdeli. #avocado #glutenfree #macaron #avocadomacaron
  • Cooking is magic. In just one section of our dry spice apothecary, we have: Angel Root Bay Leaves Basil Buckwheat Herb Borage Leaves Comfrey Curry Leaves Cat’s Claw Cinnamon Leaf Dandelion Dillweed Eyebright Elecampane Golden Rod Herb Geranium (Cranesbill Herb) Ginko Biloba (Maidenhair) Guarana Horsetail Herb Hops Holy Thistle Harpagophytum (wood spider, grapple plant) Kasuri Menthi Parsley Lemon Verbena Lemonbush Lemongrass Lemon Balm Lime Leaves Mexican Epazote De Comer Myrrh Gum Milk Thistle Herb Cut Mistletoe Meadowsweet Herb Marjoram Origanum Orange Peel Pennywort (Gota Kola) Quinine Cinchona Bark Rosemary Sage Saw Palmetto Berries Stinging Nettle Leaf St. John’s Wort Siberian Ginseng Slippery Elm Spearmint Tarragon Witch Hazel Leaves Wormwood Wild Basil Flowers: Dried Mix Flowers Borage Echium Elderflower Orange Flower African Geranium Pelargonium Chrysanthemum Marigold (Calendula flower) Pink and Red Rosebuds Jasmine Lime Blossom Red Cover Flower Spice Blend: Za’atar Tea: Darjeeling Rooibos (long & short cut) English Breakfast Tea From Russia With Love Sir Blue Earl Grey White Peony Tea Masala Chai English Breakfast #spices #deli #mixology #food #health #healthy #fitness #chef #capetown #herbs
    85 1
    Cooking is magic. In just one section of our dry spice apothecary, we have: Angel Root Bay Leaves Basil Buckwheat Herb Borage Leaves Comfrey Curry Leaves Cat’s Claw Cinnamon Leaf Dandelion Dillweed Eyebright Elecampane Golden Rod Herb Geranium (Cranesbill Herb) Ginko Biloba (Maidenhair) Guarana Horsetail Herb Hops Holy Thistle Harpagophytum (wood spider, grapple plant) Kasuri Menthi Parsley Lemon Verbena Lemonbush Lemongrass Lemon Balm Lime Leaves Mexican Epazote De Comer Myrrh Gum Milk Thistle Herb Cut Mistletoe Meadowsweet Herb Marjoram Origanum Orange Peel Pennywort (Gota Kola) Quinine Cinchona Bark Rosemary Sage Saw Palmetto Berries Stinging Nettle Leaf St. John’s Wort Siberian Ginseng Slippery Elm Spearmint Tarragon Witch Hazel Leaves Wormwood Wild Basil Flowers: Dried Mix Flowers Borage Echium Elderflower Orange Flower African Geranium Pelargonium Chrysanthemum Marigold (Calendula flower) Pink and Red Rosebuds Jasmine Lime Blossom Red Cover Flower Spice Blend: Za’atar Tea: Darjeeling Rooibos (long & short cut) English Breakfast Tea From Russia With Love Sir Blue Earl Grey White Peony Tea Masala Chai English Breakfast #spices #deli #mixology #food #health #healthy #fitness #chef #capetown #herbs
  • @that.doughnut.guy is the Friday Easter Bunny of Doughnuts. Their yolks include Melktart, Coffee Cream, Jam, Custard, and Chocolate. And there’s Vegan Cinnamon Sugar or Royal Vanilla rings too! But at the moment, there’s Coffee Cream, Melktart and Cinnamon Sugar Rings left. #sourdough #doughnut
    93 1
    @that.doughnut.guy is the Friday Easter Bunny of Doughnuts. Their yolks include Melktart, Coffee Cream, Jam, Custard, and Chocolate. And there’s Vegan Cinnamon Sugar or Royal Vanilla rings too! But at the moment, there’s Coffee Cream, Melktart and Cinnamon Sugar Rings left. #sourdough #doughnut
  • So I hear you’re looking for an alternative power source. #cookbook #plant #health
    58 4
    So I hear you’re looking for an alternative power source. #cookbook #plant #health
  • The figs look gorgeous today, even in the dark of Load Shedding. #figs #food #health #chef
    156 0
    The figs look gorgeous today, even in the dark of Load Shedding. #figs #food #health #chef
  • The Figgy Coconutty Vanilla Cinnamoney Pecan Nutty Breakfast Bowl Station with a Honey Railway Line running through. Made with ingredients from the @olivebranchdeli. Figs from the Figgary. Spiced, Coconut Sugar Pecan Nuts from Antonia’s. Honey from Nick’s Bee Choice. Coco Joe’s Coconut Yoghurt, which you can create clean white petals with its viscosity and then layer them delicately around a bowl for design. The word ‘breakfast’ came about from being the meal one breaks their fast with after sleeping. Nowadays, though, morning eating has turned a flashing arcade game. Shoot as many balls of food you can down through the hoop of your mouth. While a timer beats against you. Ultimately, you throw sloppily in a rush, just hoping to score any nutrient points. But it’s often the panic that hinders the points. The nerves that hinder the proper food intake. After already running late and then hitting EVERY red light on the way to work today, the thought occurs to me that I totally could have boiled that egg and toasted that Hannam bread. But the words, “we’re late”, have bad juju on them. Today a customer profounded me with something so simple in passing. I asked him if he had time to look around the deli. He said that he had lots and lots of it. I replied with, “what a blessing”. And then he pauses. “Actually, we all have the same amount of time, if you think about it.” While our total days of life are numbered differently, we do all have 24 hours worth of time to choose how we spend it each day. There’s agency in that perspective. #breakfast #figs #health #healthy #meal #vegan #pecan
    50 3
    The Figgy Coconutty Vanilla Cinnamoney Pecan Nutty Breakfast Bowl Station with a Honey Railway Line running through. Made with ingredients from the @olivebranchdeli. Figs from the Figgary. Spiced, Coconut Sugar Pecan Nuts from Antonia’s. Honey from Nick’s Bee Choice. Coco Joe’s Coconut Yoghurt, which you can create clean white petals with its viscosity and then layer them delicately around a bowl for design. The word ‘breakfast’ came about from being the meal one breaks their fast with after sleeping. Nowadays, though, morning eating has turned a flashing arcade game. Shoot as many balls of food you can down through the hoop of your mouth. While a timer beats against you. Ultimately, you throw sloppily in a rush, just hoping to score any nutrient points. But it’s often the panic that hinders the points. The nerves that hinder the proper food intake. After already running late and then hitting EVERY red light on the way to work today, the thought occurs to me that I totally could have boiled that egg and toasted that Hannam bread. But the words, “we’re late”, have bad juju on them. Today a customer profounded me with something so simple in passing. I asked him if he had time to look around the deli. He said that he had lots and lots of it. I replied with, “what a blessing”. And then he pauses. “Actually, we all have the same amount of time, if you think about it.” While our total days of life are numbered differently, we do all have 24 hours worth of time to choose how we spend it each day. There’s agency in that perspective. #breakfast #figs #health #healthy #meal #vegan #pecan
  • Four Sigmatic Mushroom Elixirs available at @olivebranchdeli. Targeting challenges like low concentration and energy levels. As well as something for your immune system and nervous days. To be brewed as you would a cup of tea or coffee - a little stir into boiled water to get you out of your own hot water. Or add it to a smoothie to make you feel groovy. But if I’m honest, I would do some research of your own for their health benefits. Some customers swear by them, collecting them in the dozens, while others remain unaffected. It depends on the person. But either way, their warming flavour comforts you. They don’t actually taste mushroom-ey. And I enjoyed the Cacao Reishi Mix (with some Okja Oat Milk) even if it was just a placebo affect of the claimed calming effect. #foursigmatic #elixir #health #mushrooms
    40 0
    Four Sigmatic Mushroom Elixirs available at @olivebranchdeli. Targeting challenges like low concentration and energy levels. As well as something for your immune system and nervous days. To be brewed as you would a cup of tea or coffee - a little stir into boiled water to get you out of your own hot water. Or add it to a smoothie to make you feel groovy. But if I’m honest, I would do some research of your own for their health benefits. Some customers swear by them, collecting them in the dozens, while others remain unaffected. It depends on the person. But either way, their warming flavour comforts you. They don’t actually taste mushroom-ey. And I enjoyed the Cacao Reishi Mix (with some Okja Oat Milk) even if it was just a placebo affect of the claimed calming effect. #foursigmatic #elixir #health #mushrooms
  • The figs arrived with plump cheeks you just want to pinch. Ottolenghi, when he’s actually feeling simple, recipes a Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potato Salad with igloos of Goat’s Cheese, bandanas of red chili slices, spirals of Green Onion, and wedges with red bottoms of Purple Figs. And that’s all very well, but now I’m hungry. Crates of gigs available at @olivebranchdeli. #figs #ottolenghi #recipe #food #deli #fig #Southafrica #chef #Capetown #health #fit #fitness
    187 13
    The figs arrived with plump cheeks you just want to pinch. Ottolenghi, when he’s actually feeling simple, recipes a Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potato Salad with igloos of Goat’s Cheese, bandanas of red chili slices, spirals of Green Onion, and wedges with red bottoms of Purple Figs. And that’s all very well, but now I’m hungry. Crates of gigs available at @olivebranchdeli. #figs #ottolenghi #recipe #food #deli #fig #Southafrica #chef #Capetown #health #fit #fitness
  • Every Saturday, we await our professional Macaron Connoisseur to roll in with his family of 5. In 2020 he’ll be, in his proud words, ‘a decade years old’. The moment I write this, I can hear the running feet of him and his energy-blessed brother racing around the Deli. And while always polite with his ‘hi’s’ and ‘how are you’s’, I actually get nervous for his concise Macarons reviews each week. But upon gazing these today, his eyes could have glowed in the dark. It’s an immediate, “Dad can I get one?”, “Can I eat it now?” scenario. And a parental surrendering ensues. We of course select the biggest and best one with the most sprinkles. He holds it up to the light. “This is the first time I’m gonna have to eat my ice cream instead of licking it,” he analyses. Completely fair and valid point. There’s this worrying moment of silence. A slow dripping down of the chocolate buttercream. “What do you think?” I ask, risking the truth. “No, it’s awesome!” A chain reaction dominoes. His young brother peeps over his shoulder, asking “what is that?” Proceeded by another, “Dad, can I have one? Can I eat it now?” moment. A pram secured firmly behind her, their kind mommy searches from the one child’s empty hand to the other’s for any leftovers. Knowing the window of opportunity is disappearing rapidly, she asks if she could have a bite. And gets one. Every family is a bit of a Neapolitan ice cream, each tub a collection of drastically contrasting flavour personalities squished together. You wouldn’t necessarily think to choose such a combo. But there’s something about food, no matter how big or small or weird the piece offered, it can make any blend of people work. Melting them into their own unique colorful definition of family or friend group. @bythewhisk Ice-Cream Macarons filled with Chocolate Swirl Buttercream available at @olivebranchdeli. #food #deli #macaron #capetown #icecream
    81 4
    Every Saturday, we await our professional Macaron Connoisseur to roll in with his family of 5. In 2020 he’ll be, in his proud words, ‘a decade years old’. The moment I write this, I can hear the running feet of him and his energy-blessed brother racing around the Deli. And while always polite with his ‘hi’s’ and ‘how are you’s’, I actually get nervous for his concise Macarons reviews each week. But upon gazing these today, his eyes could have glowed in the dark. It’s an immediate, “Dad can I get one?”, “Can I eat it now?” scenario. And a parental surrendering ensues. We of course select the biggest and best one with the most sprinkles. He holds it up to the light. “This is the first time I’m gonna have to eat my ice cream instead of licking it,” he analyses. Completely fair and valid point. There’s this worrying moment of silence. A slow dripping down of the chocolate buttercream. “What do you think?” I ask, risking the truth. “No, it’s awesome!” A chain reaction dominoes. His young brother peeps over his shoulder, asking “what is that?” Proceeded by another, “Dad, can I have one? Can I eat it now?” moment. A pram secured firmly behind her, their kind mommy searches from the one child’s empty hand to the other’s for any leftovers. Knowing the window of opportunity is disappearing rapidly, she asks if she could have a bite. And gets one. Every family is a bit of a Neapolitan ice cream, each tub a collection of drastically contrasting flavour personalities squished together. You wouldn’t necessarily think to choose such a combo. But there’s something about food, no matter how big or small or weird the piece offered, it can make any blend of people work. Melting them into their own unique colorful definition of family or friend group. @bythewhisk Ice-Cream Macarons filled with Chocolate Swirl Buttercream available at @olivebranchdeli. #food #deli #macaron #capetown #icecream
  • I’ll never forget that scene in the Chef’s Table where Dan Barber, in the drama of Netflix cinematics, audaciously serves his customers a line of raw miniature veggies hooked on bed of nails along a wooden plank. How does someone so massively chutzpah-flex that he can offer his high-paying guests something uncooked? Well, it’s because the work came before the plate. He is the Michelin Star chef of soil. Cultivating it to a point that it resembles an ecosystem. In the words of Michael Pollan, “You are what you eat eats.” So to produce food, Barber had to feed the soil, which meant he had to get chickens to best fertilize it and so on and so on until the foundation was oil-empire rich. And in the rarity of growing produce like this in modern times, he knew that most folks wouldn’t have experienced a veggie in such an unadulterated format. And thus, there’d be magic in the moment of tasting something so pure. Almost as if you were really trying it for the first time. That’s how I feel when I try @meusefarm produce. I picked three tomatoes from what was delivered. And it’s like I’ve never had a tomato before until these moments. The one with the green stripes surprises you with herbaceous juice, perfect for a Bloody Mary. The pink tiger stripes jumps up on you with sourness, calling to be made into a tomato sorbet or be jewelled amongst docile rice. And the yellow sapphire, despite it’s lack of red hue, is the most tomato-ey flavour yet. Almost buttery in its texture. They’re popping candies of flavour, happily snacked upon just as is. Or starring in a plate of Peach and Burrata Salad. So in conclusion, the farmer totally nailed it. @meusefarm available at @Olive branchdeli. #chef #tomato #food #healthy #deli #capetown #burrata #vegan
    153 14
    I’ll never forget that scene in the Chef’s Table where Dan Barber, in the drama of Netflix cinematics, audaciously serves his customers a line of raw miniature veggies hooked on bed of nails along a wooden plank. How does someone so massively chutzpah-flex that he can offer his high-paying guests something uncooked? Well, it’s because the work came before the plate. He is the Michelin Star chef of soil. Cultivating it to a point that it resembles an ecosystem. In the words of Michael Pollan, “You are what you eat eats.” So to produce food, Barber had to feed the soil, which meant he had to get chickens to best fertilize it and so on and so on until the foundation was oil-empire rich. And in the rarity of growing produce like this in modern times, he knew that most folks wouldn’t have experienced a veggie in such an unadulterated format. And thus, there’d be magic in the moment of tasting something so pure. Almost as if you were really trying it for the first time. That’s how I feel when I try @meusefarm produce. I picked three tomatoes from what was delivered. And it’s like I’ve never had a tomato before until these moments. The one with the green stripes surprises you with herbaceous juice, perfect for a Bloody Mary. The pink tiger stripes jumps up on you with sourness, calling to be made into a tomato sorbet or be jewelled amongst docile rice. And the yellow sapphire, despite it’s lack of red hue, is the most tomato-ey flavour yet. Almost buttery in its texture. They’re popping candies of flavour, happily snacked upon just as is. Or starring in a plate of Peach and Burrata Salad. So in conclusion, the farmer totally nailed it. @meusefarm available at @Olive branchdeli. #chef #tomato #food #healthy #deli #capetown #burrata #vegan
  • The Hungry Hippo Macaron- despite a belly full of blueberry buttercream, this creature persists to devour or be devoured. Available at @olivebranchdeli. From @bythewhisk. Did you know that one of this animal’s collective nouns is a Bloat of Hippos? However, undeterred by their weight and short stumpy legs, a hippo can actually outrun most people. #macaron #hippo #blueberry #glutenfree
    60 5
    The Hungry Hippo Macaron- despite a belly full of blueberry buttercream, this creature persists to devour or be devoured. Available at @olivebranchdeli. From @bythewhisk. Did you know that one of this animal’s collective nouns is a Bloat of Hippos? However, undeterred by their weight and short stumpy legs, a hippo can actually outrun most people. #macaron #hippo #blueberry #glutenfree
  • It’s odd to see a cucumber in the nude without needy plastic vacuumed desperately around it. I suspect its packaging evolved from hygiene concerns as well as their skins becoming more susceptible to bruising after being pumped with water to increase their size and price. But this one is more cucumber than water and is completely plastic-free. With a slightly thicker skin, exciting for tzanziki making! It has soft and white seeds tucked uniformly down the centre line, similar to a melon‘s, and they’re delicately tasty, almost like sugar water. For all these reasons, they’re actually really satiating on their own with just olive oil, lemon, and salt. Available at @olivebranchdeli from @meusefarm. #cucumber #farm #food #health #health #vegan #fitness #packagingfree #plasticfree
    91 4
    It’s odd to see a cucumber in the nude without needy plastic vacuumed desperately around it. I suspect its packaging evolved from hygiene concerns as well as their skins becoming more susceptible to bruising after being pumped with water to increase their size and price. But this one is more cucumber than water and is completely plastic-free. With a slightly thicker skin, exciting for tzanziki making! It has soft and white seeds tucked uniformly down the centre line, similar to a melon‘s, and they’re delicately tasty, almost like sugar water. For all these reasons, they’re actually really satiating on their own with just olive oil, lemon, and salt. Available at @olivebranchdeli from @meusefarm. #cucumber #farm #food #health #health #vegan #fitness #packagingfree #plasticfree
  • German Johnson Tomatoes making a scene at @olivebranchdeli! #germanjohnson #tomatoes #food #chef #health #healthy #fit #fitness
    51 1
    German Johnson Tomatoes making a scene at @olivebranchdeli! #germanjohnson #tomatoes #food #chef #health #healthy #fit #fitness
  • A tomato is the jewel of the salad, and the anointing of the olive oil coronates it as king. And if there isn’t one in the bowl, the label of salad is up for harsh opposition. It is what separates the dish from rabbit food. You know you calculate your serving portions to ensure there is such and such tomatoes per group of lettuce. It is essential. Therefore, based on this information, you should definitely add to your crown of leaves, the jewels that make them royalty. We have a variety from @meusefarm. Namely: Belle Cuore, Pink Tiger, De Milpa Tomatillo, and Favorita. #tomatoes #chef #food #meal #salad #vegan #health #healthy #fitness
    48 3
    A tomato is the jewel of the salad, and the anointing of the olive oil coronates it as king. And if there isn’t one in the bowl, the label of salad is up for harsh opposition. It is what separates the dish from rabbit food. You know you calculate your serving portions to ensure there is such and such tomatoes per group of lettuce. It is essential. Therefore, based on this information, you should definitely add to your crown of leaves, the jewels that make them royalty. We have a variety from @meusefarm. Namely: Belle Cuore, Pink Tiger, De Milpa Tomatillo, and Favorita. #tomatoes #chef #food #meal #salad #vegan #health #healthy #fitness
  • Cinnamon and Apple Macarons from the wands for hands of @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli. It’s the past, maybe 10-15 years ago. Family time was un-infected by the mind dermatitis of Instagram. Breakfast meals were buffets of bacon and eggs boogie-woogying in the sizzle of heated oil. In the evening, there was suppers of strawberries and watermelon backstroking in icy pools of Rose Water and Honey. The salt water had barely dried from your cozzie before you would recoat it in the ocean. And the scent of the sea never receded from the shoreline of your hair. You would earn your holiday stripes through all sorts of awkward swimsuit/t-shirt/goggle tans. And every scrap piece of abandoned wood or equipment would call for the imagination repair of play. Shoes were foreigners to feet, and feet were foreigners to chores. And a constant reminder that you were free from class, admin, schedules, and extra school curriculars would waft in like a cooling summer’s breeze. But the sun would eventually exhaust near the end of the holiday, retiring to bed earlier and earlier behind the mountain. It would go from “we have this many days off” to “we have this many days left”. And the nightlight of the tv would turn on. And a too smiley kid, presumedly brainwashed, would jungle onto screen. Uniformly dressed in classic grey pant shorts, a white button shirt, and black leather shoes. Images of all the new stationery would leave you stationary, as if glued to the screen with the giant Pritt stick being advertised. And that song, the one that beat on eardrums a heavy, anxious tune, would play out: “Back to school, back to reality...” As much as I love the holidays, you have to move forward to the receive the hidden blessings that the weeks ahead hold. So back to school, yes back to work, but not back to the old reality. This is 20-Plenty after all.
    55 6
    Cinnamon and Apple Macarons from the wands for hands of @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli. It’s the past, maybe 10-15 years ago. Family time was un-infected by the mind dermatitis of Instagram. Breakfast meals were buffets of bacon and eggs boogie-woogying in the sizzle of heated oil. In the evening, there was suppers of strawberries and watermelon backstroking in icy pools of Rose Water and Honey. The salt water had barely dried from your cozzie before you would recoat it in the ocean. And the scent of the sea never receded from the shoreline of your hair. You would earn your holiday stripes through all sorts of awkward swimsuit/t-shirt/goggle tans. And every scrap piece of abandoned wood or equipment would call for the imagination repair of play. Shoes were foreigners to feet, and feet were foreigners to chores. And a constant reminder that you were free from class, admin, schedules, and extra school curriculars would waft in like a cooling summer’s breeze. But the sun would eventually exhaust near the end of the holiday, retiring to bed earlier and earlier behind the mountain. It would go from “we have this many days off” to “we have this many days left”. And the nightlight of the tv would turn on. And a too smiley kid, presumedly brainwashed, would jungle onto screen. Uniformly dressed in classic grey pant shorts, a white button shirt, and black leather shoes. Images of all the new stationery would leave you stationary, as if glued to the screen with the giant Pritt stick being advertised. And that song, the one that beat on eardrums a heavy, anxious tune, would play out: “Back to school, back to reality...” As much as I love the holidays, you have to move forward to the receive the hidden blessings that the weeks ahead hold. So back to school, yes back to work, but not back to the old reality. This is 20-Plenty after all.
  • Come lay in the floating Lilo’s of our sourdough doughnuts, soaking up the heat of a steamy cup of coffee whilst resting on an breathtaking inflation of either Custard, Jam, Melktart, Coffee Cream, or Chocolate. Let the rings of our Vegan Doughnuts hold you up as you glide through the day like a duck to water. #vegan #sourdough #donut #food #deli #travel
    165 18
    Come lay in the floating Lilo’s of our sourdough doughnuts, soaking up the heat of a steamy cup of coffee whilst resting on an breathtaking inflation of either Custard, Jam, Melktart, Coffee Cream, or Chocolate. Let the rings of our Vegan Doughnuts hold you up as you glide through the day like a duck to water. #vegan #sourdough #donut #food #deli #travel
  • Japanese Gift Basket Idea! Shoyu Sauce aged through a year of seasons. Sancho Pepper Berries Instant Dashi Gomashio (Furikake: a dried seasoning meant for rice, vegetables and fish) Wasabi Oil Brown Short Grain Japanese Rice Kombu White Shoyu Sauce Sesame Oil Soba Noodles White Miso Kukicha Tea (Roasted Japanese Twig Tea) Black Ornate Tea Cup. #Japan #Tea #Shoyu #Wazabi #chef #whiteshoyu #miso #food #deli #giftbasket
    74 2
    Japanese Gift Basket Idea! Shoyu Sauce aged through a year of seasons. Sancho Pepper Berries Instant Dashi Gomashio (Furikake: a dried seasoning meant for rice, vegetables and fish) Wasabi Oil Brown Short Grain Japanese Rice Kombu White Shoyu Sauce Sesame Oil Soba Noodles White Miso Kukicha Tea (Roasted Japanese Twig Tea) Black Ornate Tea Cup. #Japan #Tea #Shoyu #Wazabi #chef #whiteshoyu #miso #food #deli #giftbasket
  • Open. #deli #antique #capetown #travel
    147 6
    Open. #deli #antique #capetown #travel
  • We’re open today on Sunday! #Deli #Presentideas #giftideas #flowers
    57 1
    We’re open today on Sunday! #Deli #Presentideas #giftideas #flowers
  • The Ottolenghi Gift Basket! Includes: Pomegranate Molasses Orange Blossom Water Tunisian Harissa (or Rose Harissa) Preserved Lemons Black Garlic Salt Lebanese Roasted Tahini Tincture Bottles of: Sumac Barberries Nigella Seeds Pistachios Za’atar Cardamom Powder #ottolenghi #zaatar #sumac #chef #blackgarlic #deli #ingredients #foodie #capetown #travel #giftbasket #gift #Lebanese
    91 4
    The Ottolenghi Gift Basket! Includes: Pomegranate Molasses Orange Blossom Water Tunisian Harissa (or Rose Harissa) Preserved Lemons Black Garlic Salt Lebanese Roasted Tahini Tincture Bottles of: Sumac Barberries Nigella Seeds Pistachios Za’atar Cardamom Powder #ottolenghi #zaatar #sumac #chef #blackgarlic #deli #ingredients #foodie #capetown #travel #giftbasket #gift #Lebanese
  • Festive Season Operating Days: Olive Branch Deli, i.e. the Room of Requirements, will be open the 21st (Saturday), 22nd (Sunday), 23rd (Monday), and the 24th (Tuesday) of December. After which we will be closed from the 25th of December until the 6th of January. #deli
    46 2
    Festive Season Operating Days: Olive Branch Deli, i.e. the Room of Requirements, will be open the 21st (Saturday), 22nd (Sunday), 23rd (Monday), and the 24th (Tuesday) of December. After which we will be closed from the 25th of December until the 6th of January. #deli
  • Christmas Tree Macs filled with Amarula Buttercream available at @Olivebranchdeli from the @bythewhisk! This will be our last Macarons for the year. We’ll be open everyday (Sunday included) until the 24th. Then we’ll be closed from the 25th until the 6th of January. #macarons #deli #chef #art
    56 1
    Christmas Tree Macs filled with Amarula Buttercream available at @Olivebranchdeli from the @bythewhisk! This will be our last Macarons for the year. We’ll be open everyday (Sunday included) until the 24th. Then we’ll be closed from the 25th until the 6th of January. #macarons #deli #chef #art
  • Harry Potter Gift Basket Idea! Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Jelly Beans. Jelly Forbidden Forrest Slugs. Chocolate Frog with Holographic Card. Chocolate Creature with Collectable stickers. Harry Potter Chocolate Wand. Hark and Heart Christmas Gingerbread (the one reminds me of Hagrid’s house in the forest). And lastly a mini Merry Christmas Panettone (that looks like a red and golden owl cage). Complete with a Golden Raspberry Chocolate covered Licorice Snitch. #HarryPotter #giftbasket #food #deli #bertiebotts
    52 5
    Harry Potter Gift Basket Idea! Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Jelly Beans. Jelly Forbidden Forrest Slugs. Chocolate Frog with Holographic Card. Chocolate Creature with Collectable stickers. Harry Potter Chocolate Wand. Hark and Heart Christmas Gingerbread (the one reminds me of Hagrid’s house in the forest). And lastly a mini Merry Christmas Panettone (that looks like a red and golden owl cage). Complete with a Golden Raspberry Chocolate covered Licorice Snitch. #HarryPotter #giftbasket #food #deli #bertiebotts
  • Last night I dreamt of compiling a Vegan Christmas Basket. When I awoke, I couldn’t wait to comb through the shop searching for a more friendly Christmas arrangement. Today’s gift idea: Marrons Glacés (Candied Chestnuts). Pasticcini al Cacao e Mandorle (Chocolate Almond Cookies). Tali’s Reusable Shopping Bag with African Print. Reusable Rainbow Stainless Steel Straw. Smoked Flavours Mesquite Liquid Smoke. Nielsen-Massey Rose Water. Leone Candy Pastille Box. Funky Ouma Beetroot Salt. Belnoir fruit farms Elderflower and Rose Cordial. Honest 70% Dark Chocolate with Coconut Blossom Sugar. Ps. Pink is for everyone. #pink #chestnut #goftbasket #food #deli #vegan #vegetarian
    69 8
    Last night I dreamt of compiling a Vegan Christmas Basket. When I awoke, I couldn’t wait to comb through the shop searching for a more friendly Christmas arrangement. Today’s gift idea: Marrons Glacés (Candied Chestnuts). Pasticcini al Cacao e Mandorle (Chocolate Almond Cookies). Tali’s Reusable Shopping Bag with African Print. Reusable Rainbow Stainless Steel Straw. Smoked Flavours Mesquite Liquid Smoke. Nielsen-Massey Rose Water. Leone Candy Pastille Box. Funky Ouma Beetroot Salt. Belnoir fruit farms Elderflower and Rose Cordial. Honest 70% Dark Chocolate with Coconut Blossom Sugar. Ps. Pink is for everyone. #pink #chestnut #goftbasket #food #deli #vegan #vegetarian
  • We have over 25000 different products in our store so it’s a bit difficult to have sampled everything. And to top it off, this year we have a multitude of Panettone brands. But when someone buys something that’s pricey in fours, I take it as a good sign of its quality. Especially when that same customer ordered them back as early as August, and tried all the other ones in the meantime until this one arrived. And she firmly stated, “Have you tried it? You have to try it. It’s the best one. The other ones aren’t the same.” Then when an Italian literally picks up the same brand, smiles at us, and says “You got the best”. It sells me my own product. I had to take one home. Milano Panettone blew me away. Its outside cake is perfectly caramelized and juicy. It’s as if someone poured over it the lightest, most delicate syrup you’ve ever tasted. While the inner fluffy core tastes like a croissant that was freshly baked today. You tear into it with your hands like the cake crust is the Christmas wrapping and you can’t wait to devour what’s inside. I forgot to share it. Whoops. #panettone #Food #dessert #Milano #milanopanettone #dinner
    78 5
    We have over 25000 different products in our store so it’s a bit difficult to have sampled everything. And to top it off, this year we have a multitude of Panettone brands. But when someone buys something that’s pricey in fours, I take it as a good sign of its quality. Especially when that same customer ordered them back as early as August, and tried all the other ones in the meantime until this one arrived. And she firmly stated, “Have you tried it? You have to try it. It’s the best one. The other ones aren’t the same.” Then when an Italian literally picks up the same brand, smiles at us, and says “You got the best”. It sells me my own product. I had to take one home. Milano Panettone blew me away. Its outside cake is perfectly caramelized and juicy. It’s as if someone poured over it the lightest, most delicate syrup you’ve ever tasted. While the inner fluffy core tastes like a croissant that was freshly baked today. You tear into it with your hands like the cake crust is the Christmas wrapping and you can’t wait to devour what’s inside. I forgot to share it. Whoops. #panettone #Food #dessert #Milano #milanopanettone #dinner
  • Mellow Yellow Gift Basket Idea: Citrus Geometric Tonic Essence for cocktails. Babylonstoren White Chocolate with Almonds. Morgenster Lemon Enhanced Olive Oil. Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemonade with English Elderflower and crushed Juniper. Virginia Amaretti Soffici al Limone. Pure Citrus Bergamot Jam. Royal-looking Dr. Trouble Lemon and Chili Sauce. White Chocolate, Vanilla, Olive Oil, and Roasted Almond Ma Mere Nougat. And lastly, Virginia Panettone filled with Lemon Cream and Lemon Syrup. The basket itself is enchanted with Lemon Essential oil to perfume the yellow mood. Lemon Olive Oil and White Chocolate is a delicious, yet often unthought of combination (thank you Morgenster for this recommendation). #giftbasket #deli #Capetown #travel #lemons #Greek
    45 0
    Mellow Yellow Gift Basket Idea: Citrus Geometric Tonic Essence for cocktails. Babylonstoren White Chocolate with Almonds. Morgenster Lemon Enhanced Olive Oil. Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemonade with English Elderflower and crushed Juniper. Virginia Amaretti Soffici al Limone. Pure Citrus Bergamot Jam. Royal-looking Dr. Trouble Lemon and Chili Sauce. White Chocolate, Vanilla, Olive Oil, and Roasted Almond Ma Mere Nougat. And lastly, Virginia Panettone filled with Lemon Cream and Lemon Syrup. The basket itself is enchanted with Lemon Essential oil to perfume the yellow mood. Lemon Olive Oil and White Chocolate is a delicious, yet often unthought of combination (thank you Morgenster for this recommendation). #giftbasket #deli #Capetown #travel #lemons #Greek
  • My family has a tradition, we take home a Panettone each year and then we never eat it. At night, you can hear the haunting of year’s past Panettones, banging against their tin packaging like innocent but abandoned prisoners. But this year, this year was different, we withheld a birthday cake for my mom and gave her a chestnut filled Panettone instead to ensure we would finally try this foreign cake. It was touch and go for a moment as two days had lapsed. But last night, clouds of spongy delight soared out of Pandora’s box, and the curse was broken. It tastes and feels like Greek Tzourekia, which is a cross between a cake and a croissant texture. But It was worth the wait, especially with a drizzle of cream. We have a Christmas amount of Panettone and Pandoro at @olivebranchdeli. Like panettoncino and Pandorino (minis). 1kg bags of traditional Panettone with candied peel and sultanas. Ones filled Pistachio and Cacao. And others with Chocolate and Ginger fillings or Lemon Cream. Even minis ones with Sour Candied Black Cherries. But should you forget to eat them within the appointed time, a customer told me you could even dry them into Rusks. Otherwise, French Toast them! #panettone #deli
    68 9
    My family has a tradition, we take home a Panettone each year and then we never eat it. At night, you can hear the haunting of year’s past Panettones, banging against their tin packaging like innocent but abandoned prisoners. But this year, this year was different, we withheld a birthday cake for my mom and gave her a chestnut filled Panettone instead to ensure we would finally try this foreign cake. It was touch and go for a moment as two days had lapsed. But last night, clouds of spongy delight soared out of Pandora’s box, and the curse was broken. It tastes and feels like Greek Tzourekia, which is a cross between a cake and a croissant texture. But It was worth the wait, especially with a drizzle of cream. We have a Christmas amount of Panettone and Pandoro at @olivebranchdeli. Like panettoncino and Pandorino (minis). 1kg bags of traditional Panettone with candied peel and sultanas. Ones filled Pistachio and Cacao. And others with Chocolate and Ginger fillings or Lemon Cream. Even minis ones with Sour Candied Black Cherries. But should you forget to eat them within the appointed time, a customer told me you could even dry them into Rusks. Otherwise, French Toast them! #panettone #deli
  • I heard they made another one of those Elsa movies and they called it Frozen II - instead of evoking a clever pun on the former title. In protest of this missed opportunity, I’ve made my own film called Refrozen (after Defrost). And it involves a zombie snowmen outbreak, as a result of the refreezing process - a snowball effect from Elsa trying to save her snow friends from the Global Warming melting phenomenon. The Snowmen give people frostbite and that’s how they turn them. And Anna, jealous of her sister’s fame, has been manifesting the power of flames as a result of her harboring inner animosity. But it’s only when they reunite as a family do they melt hearts and snowmen. @bythewhisk made Snow People Macarons this week. Available at @olivebranchdeli. #Frozen #macarons #story #deli
    52 2
    I heard they made another one of those Elsa movies and they called it Frozen II - instead of evoking a clever pun on the former title. In protest of this missed opportunity, I’ve made my own film called Refrozen (after Defrost). And it involves a zombie snowmen outbreak, as a result of the refreezing process - a snowball effect from Elsa trying to save her snow friends from the Global Warming melting phenomenon. The Snowmen give people frostbite and that’s how they turn them. And Anna, jealous of her sister’s fame, has been manifesting the power of flames as a result of her harboring inner animosity. But it’s only when they reunite as a family do they melt hearts and snowmen. @bythewhisk made Snow People Macarons this week. Available at @olivebranchdeli. #Frozen #macarons #story #deli
  • It’s my literal jam. This is practically a bubble tea jam with its tiny balloon purple berries ready to be popped in the palate. Grown from the wild black nightshade plant that only thrills the Highveld of Mpumalanga, part of Kwazulu Natal and the Freestate. It’s called Umsoba or Msoba in Zulu. And it’s the best. And we’re very grateful to @stephenfinnemore for gifting us one so we could be aware of such an amazing, proudly South African product. #SouthAfrica #jam #deli #CapeTown
    40 5
    It’s my literal jam. This is practically a bubble tea jam with its tiny balloon purple berries ready to be popped in the palate. Grown from the wild black nightshade plant that only thrills the Highveld of Mpumalanga, part of Kwazulu Natal and the Freestate. It’s called Umsoba or Msoba in Zulu. And it’s the best. And we’re very grateful to @stephenfinnemore for gifting us one so we could be aware of such an amazing, proudly South African product. #SouthAfrica #jam #deli #CapeTown
  • “Hi, can you help me? I don’t know what to get my friend as a gift. I want something South African. But it can’t be too heavy or big because I don’t have a lot of space left in my suitcase. What do you suggest?” Well probably one of my favourite ranges. The Fynbos Experience encapsulates that feeling of foraging within a petite and lightweight packaging. The botanical bouquets include: Buchu, Rhinobush, Mint Pelargonium, Rooibos, Honeybush, and Snowbush. A brew of the last one mentioned reminds me of walking through a forest of pine trees. The dewy woodiness and slight smokiness taking you by hand like a little woodland fairy. They’re available as loose leaf teas, salt infusions, as well as botanical shortbread cookies. To find a biscuit that tastes like the memory of dunking a cookie in tea is so powerful and unexpected that nostalgia cries from within a warmed heart every time you savour one. It comes in Rose Pelargonium infusion too. And for me, it’s an extra bonus to support the lovely and bubbly people behind it. #giftidea #botanicals #mixology #SouthAfrica #tea #health #salt #chef
    63 2
    “Hi, can you help me? I don’t know what to get my friend as a gift. I want something South African. But it can’t be too heavy or big because I don’t have a lot of space left in my suitcase. What do you suggest?” Well probably one of my favourite ranges. The Fynbos Experience encapsulates that feeling of foraging within a petite and lightweight packaging. The botanical bouquets include: Buchu, Rhinobush, Mint Pelargonium, Rooibos, Honeybush, and Snowbush. A brew of the last one mentioned reminds me of walking through a forest of pine trees. The dewy woodiness and slight smokiness taking you by hand like a little woodland fairy. They’re available as loose leaf teas, salt infusions, as well as botanical shortbread cookies. To find a biscuit that tastes like the memory of dunking a cookie in tea is so powerful and unexpected that nostalgia cries from within a warmed heart every time you savour one. It comes in Rose Pelargonium infusion too. And for me, it’s an extra bonus to support the lovely and bubbly people behind it. #giftidea #botanicals #mixology #SouthAfrica #tea #health #salt #chef
  • Christmas Corner filled to the brim with mini and big Panettone, Pandoro, soft and crunchy Amaretti, Biscottis, Gingerbread Biscuits, Dolcetti Ripieni di Crema Pistacchio, and Chocolates! Available at @olivebranchdeli. #gingerbread #amaretti #display #deli
    113 4
    Christmas Corner filled to the brim with mini and big Panettone, Pandoro, soft and crunchy Amaretti, Biscottis, Gingerbread Biscuits, Dolcetti Ripieni di Crema Pistacchio, and Chocolates! Available at @olivebranchdeli. #gingerbread #amaretti #display #deli
  • The official collective noun for a group of these glorious animals is a Dazzle or Zebras, inspired from the motion effect that they generate when they run together. I couldn’t think of better collective noun for these creations than calling them a Dazzle of Zebra Macarons. Available at @olivebranchdeli From @bythewhisk. #Africa #Deli #Macarons
    48 2
    The official collective noun for a group of these glorious animals is a Dazzle or Zebras, inspired from the motion effect that they generate when they run together. I couldn’t think of better collective noun for these creations than calling them a Dazzle of Zebra Macarons. Available at @olivebranchdeli From @bythewhisk. #Africa #Deli #Macarons
  • Weekend Porcini with pasta target in sight. Available today only @olivebranchdeli! #porcini #deli
    42 0
    Weekend Porcini with pasta target in sight. Available today only @olivebranchdeli! #porcini #deli
  • Bel Fiore Radicchio available at @olivebranchdeli. Splatterings of red & purple decorate each leaf so visually they’re a bit like a murder mystery in a salad bowl. I suspect they targeted the tomatoes. Cook this to take off the bitter edge of the leaf. Best in omelettes or with caramelized onions. #chicory #BelFioreRadicchio #health #healthy #salad #chef
    35 1
    Bel Fiore Radicchio available at @olivebranchdeli. Splatterings of red & purple decorate each leaf so visually they’re a bit like a murder mystery in a salad bowl. I suspect they targeted the tomatoes. Cook this to take off the bitter edge of the leaf. Best in omelettes or with caramelized onions. #chicory #BelFioreRadicchio #health #healthy #salad #chef
  • Shiso Leaves available at @olivebranchdeli. This is a phenomenal green! Infuse it into soya sauce or tamari and you’ll have an incredible dressing on your hands, though preferably in your salad instead. Its flavour is so complex it’s like a cauldron mixture of spearmint, basil, anise and cinnamon. Or take the leaf and wrap it around a white fish and steam them together. I can practically see the dish before me. Opening the leafy parcel like a sealed envelope, letting puffs of warmth trail out in swirls of fragrance binding the flaky fish with all the flavours of the shiso leaves. #shiso #chef #capetpwn #travel #food #healthy
    25 1
    Shiso Leaves available at @olivebranchdeli. This is a phenomenal green! Infuse it into soya sauce or tamari and you’ll have an incredible dressing on your hands, though preferably in your salad instead. Its flavour is so complex it’s like a cauldron mixture of spearmint, basil, anise and cinnamon. Or take the leaf and wrap it around a white fish and steam them together. I can practically see the dish before me. Opening the leafy parcel like a sealed envelope, letting puffs of warmth trail out in swirls of fragrance binding the flaky fish with all the flavours of the shiso leaves. #shiso #chef #capetpwn #travel #food #healthy
  • Relish Cross Daikon Radish available @olivebranchdeli! The greens have this slight nettle quality about them. So when you cook them it makes for a such a delicious texture. And of course the vegetable bulb is crisp, sweet and spicy. #daikon #chef #food #deli #healthy #health
    38 1
    Relish Cross Daikon Radish available @olivebranchdeli! The greens have this slight nettle quality about them. So when you cook them it makes for a such a delicious texture. And of course the vegetable bulb is crisp, sweet and spicy. #daikon #chef #food #deli #healthy #health
  • Hinona Kabu Turnips available at @olivebranchdeli. Amongst other uses, the Japanese Hinona Kabu turnips are harvested to make sakurazuke, or 'cherry blossom' pickle, named for the colour released once they are pickled. As always, eat the greens on top too! Sauté them like spinach with olive oil and butter and some lemon and salt. #hinonakabu #vegetables #vegetarian #health #chef
    63 1
    Hinona Kabu Turnips available at @olivebranchdeli. Amongst other uses, the Japanese Hinona Kabu turnips are harvested to make sakurazuke, or 'cherry blossom' pickle, named for the colour released once they are pickled. As always, eat the greens on top too! Sauté them like spinach with olive oil and butter and some lemon and salt. #hinonakabu #vegetables #vegetarian #health #chef
  • Spring Tower Lettuce available at @olivebranchdeli!
    64 3
    Spring Tower Lettuce available at @olivebranchdeli!
  • My dad informed me this morning, as I was late for work, “You guys need to get more organized.” I can’t think of a better way of being ‘more organized’ than using chocolate as a reminder of how many days left until Christmas. I was reviewing the history of the advent calendar and found something innocently devious. Traditionally, they’d put a Bible verse or an iconic biblical picture behind the windows of the original advent calendars. So each day towards Christmas, as you’d traditionally fast during, you’d learn more about the Lord in your humbled bodily format. But then they started dispersing chocolate in random windows to keep the children interested. And I can just imagine being a kid, hyped on the excitement of possibly finding chocolate, and then receiving a verse from Leviticus. The Bible is meaty and delicious but to a kid who just wants chocolate, I’m sure it must have left a bitter taste. But it does make me laugh to think of their reaction. That being said, I think that’s why advent calendars these days just have chocolate in them. But how funny, and also good for their souls, would it be to take out (eat) the chocolate from some of the windows and replace them with what originally would have been in them? Your kids learn and you get to eat chocolate and laugh and laugh. It would literally be a merry Christmas for days. Advent Calenders of ‘possiblilites’ available at @olivebranchdeli. #advent #chocolate #deli
    49 4
    My dad informed me this morning, as I was late for work, “You guys need to get more organized.” I can’t think of a better way of being ‘more organized’ than using chocolate as a reminder of how many days left until Christmas. I was reviewing the history of the advent calendar and found something innocently devious. Traditionally, they’d put a Bible verse or an iconic biblical picture behind the windows of the original advent calendars. So each day towards Christmas, as you’d traditionally fast during, you’d learn more about the Lord in your humbled bodily format. But then they started dispersing chocolate in random windows to keep the children interested. And I can just imagine being a kid, hyped on the excitement of possibly finding chocolate, and then receiving a verse from Leviticus. The Bible is meaty and delicious but to a kid who just wants chocolate, I’m sure it must have left a bitter taste. But it does make me laugh to think of their reaction. That being said, I think that’s why advent calendars these days just have chocolate in them. But how funny, and also good for their souls, would it be to take out (eat) the chocolate from some of the windows and replace them with what originally would have been in them? Your kids learn and you get to eat chocolate and laugh and laugh. It would literally be a merry Christmas for days. Advent Calenders of ‘possiblilites’ available at @olivebranchdeli. #advent #chocolate #deli
  • Where Elliot sits, she recommends. You may know her from her debut doughnut commercial, but today she represents the other half of the sweetheart @thatdoughnutguyct. Namely, the next level in creative thought and execution @crumbcakessa! And do you know how hard it is to find good meringues in Cape Town?! Elliot knows and that’s why she’s guarding them with her tokhes. #Elliot #meringue #dessert #capetown #baking
    37 2
    Where Elliot sits, she recommends. You may know her from her debut doughnut commercial, but today she represents the other half of the sweetheart @thatdoughnutguyct. Namely, the next level in creative thought and execution @crumbcakessa! And do you know how hard it is to find good meringues in Cape Town?! Elliot knows and that’s why she’s guarding them with her tokhes. #Elliot #meringue #dessert #capetown #baking
  • My brother always said he could have been a hand model. Product: @thatdoughnutguyct (Sourdough doughnut) Photographer: me Model: Omi #model #doughnut #spurdough #food #deli #capetown #travel
    92 8
    My brother always said he could have been a hand model. Product: @thatdoughnutguyct (Sourdough doughnut) Photographer: me Model: Omi #model #doughnut #spurdough #food #deli #capetown #travel
  • I close my eyes and it’s snowy Europe. Golden Christmas lights melting the crisp air like strings of tiny floating flames. Clicking of hard boots powdering the pavement of crunchy snow. Little gumdrop snow-hats pulling their parents by the tail of their scarves to come see the shop window display. It’s expansive glass pane an artwork on both sides what with the elaborate display on the one side and the foggy breath and handprints on the other. There’s a buzz in the atmosphere that would make a bee feel at home. I open my sight, close enough. And filling an entire towering pillar with Gingerbread Jars from @harckandheart just painted the Christmas into the shop. They’re so charming I kind of don’t want you to ruin the display by taking any. #shopdisplay #deli #gingerbread
    157 16
    I close my eyes and it’s snowy Europe. Golden Christmas lights melting the crisp air like strings of tiny floating flames. Clicking of hard boots powdering the pavement of crunchy snow. Little gumdrop snow-hats pulling their parents by the tail of their scarves to come see the shop window display. It’s expansive glass pane an artwork on both sides what with the elaborate display on the one side and the foggy breath and handprints on the other. There’s a buzz in the atmosphere that would make a bee feel at home. I open my sight, close enough. And filling an entire towering pillar with Gingerbread Jars from @harckandheart just painted the Christmas into the shop. They’re so charming I kind of don’t want you to ruin the display by taking any. #shopdisplay #deli #gingerbread
  • It’s a Greek and Russian quirk to eat starch with starch like paring stripes with stripes or going all denim. Call it a food fashion statement. One that will read, “Bread with everything. Including pasta.” So Youvetsi, a Greek dish of Cinnamon Spiced Tomato Ovenbaked Pasta Rice with Lamb Chops, paired with Bulgar Wheat Salad is just the right amount of being offensively gluten filled. The traditional icing on the cake in this case is grated matured goats milk cheese, pertaining more complex flavours of deeper creamy and sour notes. And when baked it’s like the polar ice-caps cracking sound as you cut through the crispy cheese shell with the spatula. And the coolness and texture of the bulgar wheat, paired with the freshness of the spring onion and tomato entertains every morsel on the fork with a full performance. Made with ingredients sourced from @olivebranchdeli. #youvetsi #pasta #chef #capetown #food #instafood #Greek
    40 1
    It’s a Greek and Russian quirk to eat starch with starch like paring stripes with stripes or going all denim. Call it a food fashion statement. One that will read, “Bread with everything. Including pasta.” So Youvetsi, a Greek dish of Cinnamon Spiced Tomato Ovenbaked Pasta Rice with Lamb Chops, paired with Bulgar Wheat Salad is just the right amount of being offensively gluten filled. The traditional icing on the cake in this case is grated matured goats milk cheese, pertaining more complex flavours of deeper creamy and sour notes. And when baked it’s like the polar ice-caps cracking sound as you cut through the crispy cheese shell with the spatula. And the coolness and texture of the bulgar wheat, paired with the freshness of the spring onion and tomato entertains every morsel on the fork with a full performance. Made with ingredients sourced from @olivebranchdeli. #youvetsi #pasta #chef #capetown #food #instafood #Greek
  • I love the idea of minimalism. In fact, I try to be a minimalist. But tins... Beautiful, beautiful Panettone tins. #tins #shopdisplay #panettone #deli #travel #Italian
    71 1
    I love the idea of minimalism. In fact, I try to be a minimalist. But tins... Beautiful, beautiful Panettone tins. #tins #shopdisplay #panettone #deli #travel #Italian
  • Dear Santa, It’s been years. I’ll never forget questioning your existence to my parents. It was in the kitchen. Morning, I think. And I was toying with finding out the truth because you didn’t get me a real toy to play with that year. I investigated my parents. They looked at each other the same way they did when I came out of the pescatarian closet. My dad stalks towards me, lowers himself to my height, bullseyes my gaze with his own and shoots: “You know there’s no Santa, right?” My mom probably scolded him and I’m sure my dad replied with something like, “I buy the gifts, why does the fat man get all the credit?” Who knows what they said when life is shattering all around you. But here’s the thing, I’ve witnessed heavenly generosity in this life. So I’ve come to this conclusion: You do exist. It’s just not in the way we think. Instead, you live in the actions of others who give without seeking reciprocity. Why else do so many people dress up as you? You’re smart, considering the population is over seven billion now. That’s a lot of chimneys that don’t exist anymore and if you come through the window that’s breaking an entry, punishable by law. And with all the global warming, I’m not sure flying rain deers is eco-friendly anymore. Who knows how much more magical methane gas could affect the environment? Plus I’m sure you’re being hunted by hipsters who intend to make a beard weave out of your silky smooth, silver mane. So you’ve outsourced the job, providing employment to thousands of people around the globe. Plus you’ve significantly helped boost businesses around this time of year, helping to propagate them forwards. So you’ve actually been more of a Santa Clause to adults this entire time than to children. They just couldn’t see it. But I see you Santa. Thank you. Love from the elves at @olivebranchdeli. #dearsanta #presents #giftideas #deli #travel
    53 5
    Dear Santa, It’s been years. I’ll never forget questioning your existence to my parents. It was in the kitchen. Morning, I think. And I was toying with finding out the truth because you didn’t get me a real toy to play with that year. I investigated my parents. They looked at each other the same way they did when I came out of the pescatarian closet. My dad stalks towards me, lowers himself to my height, bullseyes my gaze with his own and shoots: “You know there’s no Santa, right?” My mom probably scolded him and I’m sure my dad replied with something like, “I buy the gifts, why does the fat man get all the credit?” Who knows what they said when life is shattering all around you. But here’s the thing, I’ve witnessed heavenly generosity in this life. So I’ve come to this conclusion: You do exist. It’s just not in the way we think. Instead, you live in the actions of others who give without seeking reciprocity. Why else do so many people dress up as you? You’re smart, considering the population is over seven billion now. That’s a lot of chimneys that don’t exist anymore and if you come through the window that’s breaking an entry, punishable by law. And with all the global warming, I’m not sure flying rain deers is eco-friendly anymore. Who knows how much more magical methane gas could affect the environment? Plus I’m sure you’re being hunted by hipsters who intend to make a beard weave out of your silky smooth, silver mane. So you’ve outsourced the job, providing employment to thousands of people around the globe. Plus you’ve significantly helped boost businesses around this time of year, helping to propagate them forwards. So you’ve actually been more of a Santa Clause to adults this entire time than to children. They just couldn’t see it. But I see you Santa. Thank you. Love from the elves at @olivebranchdeli. #dearsanta #presents #giftideas #deli #travel
  • Good evening from the spaceship.
    49 0
    Good evening from the spaceship.
  • For those immune to the Game Changer Documentary: Mom’s take on Jamie Oliver’s Jewish Artichokes stuffed with herbaceous Lamb Mince and spicy tomato onion. Flour Fried and braised later in homemade thick & juicy tomato sauce. #chef #jamieoliver #artichoke #food #dinner #recipe
    26 0
    For those immune to the Game Changer Documentary: Mom’s take on Jamie Oliver’s Jewish Artichokes stuffed with herbaceous Lamb Mince and spicy tomato onion. Flour Fried and braised later in homemade thick & juicy tomato sauce. #chef #jamieoliver #artichoke #food #dinner #recipe
  • This is a 10 out of 10 dish. It is the most flavoursome when someone else cooks it for you. As I was informed it took 2 people, 5 hours of trial and error, one cut finger, stained hands, and a hefty headache in order to conjure this up. But here it is, my mom’s (and friend’s) adaptation of a Jamie Oliver recipe for dinner last night: Jewish Artichokes Packed with Tuna Mince Onion, Chili and Parsley, Flour Fried and Braised in Tomato Sauce. You slice the artichokes into 4 quadrants, but use only 3 sections, before reassembling them, using the minced meat mixture as a binding glue. A flour dusting, an egg yolk-ing, and a quick deep fry. Before arranging them in an oven tray and submerging them into a homemade tomato sauce. Snowing them in with some grated parmesan and baking them until the red of the tomatoes bubbles your excitement! #jamieoliver #food #artichoke #recipe #deli #dinner #chef
    29 0
    This is a 10 out of 10 dish. It is the most flavoursome when someone else cooks it for you. As I was informed it took 2 people, 5 hours of trial and error, one cut finger, stained hands, and a hefty headache in order to conjure this up. But here it is, my mom’s (and friend’s) adaptation of a Jamie Oliver recipe for dinner last night: Jewish Artichokes Packed with Tuna Mince Onion, Chili and Parsley, Flour Fried and Braised in Tomato Sauce. You slice the artichokes into 4 quadrants, but use only 3 sections, before reassembling them, using the minced meat mixture as a binding glue. A flour dusting, an egg yolk-ing, and a quick deep fry. Before arranging them in an oven tray and submerging them into a homemade tomato sauce. Snowing them in with some grated parmesan and baking them until the red of the tomatoes bubbles your excitement! #jamieoliver #food #artichoke #recipe #deli #dinner #chef
  • A conjuring of Ghost Macs from @bythewhisk filled with a spirit of Butterscotch Buttercream available at @Olivebranchdeli. Perfect for today, as we both know it’s going to be a ghost town until after the game. #macarons #deli #Bokke #Springboks
    43 0
    A conjuring of Ghost Macs from @bythewhisk filled with a spirit of Butterscotch Buttercream available at @Olivebranchdeli. Perfect for today, as we both know it’s going to be a ghost town until after the game. #macarons #deli #Bokke #Springboks
  • Tony Schocolonely Salted Caramel Slabs from Amsterdam. Also available in Plain Milk and Hazelnut (or Hazelnoot in Dutch) They don’t neatly line the chocolate into breakable squares. Oh no, they create a rock climbing pattern so it feels like an accomplishment when you get to the end. Every bite has the comfort of Horlicks in its Malty Flavour. And the pieces are so thick, you really only need one or two blocks... (lol). @tonyschocolonely_nl #chocolate #Amsterdam #CapeTown #travel
    47 7
    Tony Schocolonely Salted Caramel Slabs from Amsterdam. Also available in Plain Milk and Hazelnut (or Hazelnoot in Dutch) They don’t neatly line the chocolate into breakable squares. Oh no, they create a rock climbing pattern so it feels like an accomplishment when you get to the end. Every bite has the comfort of Horlicks in its Malty Flavour. And the pieces are so thick, you really only need one or two blocks... (lol). @tonyschocolonely_nl #chocolate #Amsterdam #CapeTown #travel
  • Asparagus Data Bundles redeemable at @olivebranchdeli. Select: (1) for Green Asparagus (2) for White Asparagus. This offer will literally expire in 7 days. #asparagus #chef #vegan #deli #capetown #local
    61 5
    Asparagus Data Bundles redeemable at @olivebranchdeli. Select: (1) for Green Asparagus (2) for White Asparagus. This offer will literally expire in 7 days. #asparagus #chef #vegan #deli #capetown #local
  • Last night’s dinner, this morning’s chilled breakfast. I don’t know about you, but plans can be found soaring out my window. You get those who follow recipes and those that write them. And then you get those that don’t follow recipes and forget to write them all down. If there’s a pantry of amazing ingredients, the dish is going to be everything. But growing up is learning to use less and trust more in what you have. Still figuring that out. But when you have fresh produce it motivates you to be more simple. So this is a comprise. A Mohawk Dish of sorts; party on top business on the bottom: Smokey Sweet Chili, Ginger Orange, Teriyaki Grilled Diamond’ed Tofu. Enticing you to consume a giant Miso’ed bowl of Daikon and KN Bravo Radish, Badger Flame And Avalanche Beet Soup. Cracking off the crisp almost nettled leafy stems into pieces that were then sautéed in olive oil and butter. Seasoned with pepper infused salt (Mom’s idea. It’s SUCH a different experience than just grinding salt and pepper separately). And added later to the serving bowl. The simmered seaweed dashi should warm the vegetables rather than cook out their goodness. It should be a pleasantly crunchy soup with soft leaves and crisp and chewy tofu. Tip: Red Jujubes have a profound warming effect on the body and can be added to soup to heat you up on chilly days. Made using @olivebranchdeli Ingredients. Except for the carrots. #soup #Daikon #deli #tofu #miso
    55 2
    Last night’s dinner, this morning’s chilled breakfast. I don’t know about you, but plans can be found soaring out my window. You get those who follow recipes and those that write them. And then you get those that don’t follow recipes and forget to write them all down. If there’s a pantry of amazing ingredients, the dish is going to be everything. But growing up is learning to use less and trust more in what you have. Still figuring that out. But when you have fresh produce it motivates you to be more simple. So this is a comprise. A Mohawk Dish of sorts; party on top business on the bottom: Smokey Sweet Chili, Ginger Orange, Teriyaki Grilled Diamond’ed Tofu. Enticing you to consume a giant Miso’ed bowl of Daikon and KN Bravo Radish, Badger Flame And Avalanche Beet Soup. Cracking off the crisp almost nettled leafy stems into pieces that were then sautéed in olive oil and butter. Seasoned with pepper infused salt (Mom’s idea. It’s SUCH a different experience than just grinding salt and pepper separately). And added later to the serving bowl. The simmered seaweed dashi should warm the vegetables rather than cook out their goodness. It should be a pleasantly crunchy soup with soft leaves and crisp and chewy tofu. Tip: Red Jujubes have a profound warming effect on the body and can be added to soup to heat you up on chilly days. Made using @olivebranchdeli Ingredients. Except for the carrots. #soup #Daikon #deli #tofu #miso
  • Butterscotch Buttercream Bat Macs by the Bruce Wayne of Macarons @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli! The batsignal has been cast, but who will come to the rescue? #Macaron #Bat #Deli
    41 2
    Butterscotch Buttercream Bat Macs by the Bruce Wayne of Macarons @bythewhisk available at @olivebranchdeli! The batsignal has been cast, but who will come to the rescue? #Macaron #Bat #Deli
  • Elliot, the Lost-and-found Doll, has discovered something that has been missing from our Friday counter for a looong time... #reveal #sourdough
    65 10
    Elliot, the Lost-and-found Doll, has discovered something that has been missing from our Friday counter for a looong time... #reveal #sourdough
  • “Is this a new shop?” “No, we’re actually 4-years-old.” “But I walk past here all the time?” “What can I tell you? We opened in 2015.” *customer thinks they’ve gone crazy* We can’t remember what day exactly we opened but it was sometime before 22 October 2015. #food #deli #instafood
    268 43
    “Is this a new shop?” “No, we’re actually 4-years-old.” “But I walk past here all the time?” “What can I tell you? We opened in 2015.” *customer thinks they’ve gone crazy* We can’t remember what day exactly we opened but it was sometime before 22 October 2015. #food #deli #instafood
  • KN Bravo Radish is the Johnny Bravo of vegetables. So good-looking it’s almost vain. I remember women stubbing the toe of Johnny Bravo when his bravado got too fresh. Bruising it to almost as purple as these Radishes. Which when sliced through, have either a pale purple to white colour with tie-dye streaks vibrating out. But don’t worry, the fresher the better with these Beets. #fitness #health #food #chef #radish #capetown #healthy #vegetarian #vegan
    34 2
    KN Bravo Radish is the Johnny Bravo of vegetables. So good-looking it’s almost vain. I remember women stubbing the toe of Johnny Bravo when his bravado got too fresh. Bruising it to almost as purple as these Radishes. Which when sliced through, have either a pale purple to white colour with tie-dye streaks vibrating out. But don’t worry, the fresher the better with these Beets. #fitness #health #food #chef #radish #capetown #healthy #vegetarian #vegan
  • Badger Flame (Red) and Avalanche (White) Beets! When you slice open a Badger Flame Beet, a pattern of tangerine fire lights across the vegetable. A carpaccio is the way to go with this beet to really highlight its impressive aesthetic and sweet vulnerability. Some balsamic, sea salt, roasted pumpkin seeds and cut fennel leaves. That’s all you need. The Avalanche beet is the Catechism of vegetables in its clean white colour and innocently sweet flavour. Absolved of any bitterness. Can be grated over salads or roasted into crisp heaven. #beet #avalanchebeet #badgerflamebeet #flame #chef #vegetarian #vegan #health #fitness #CapeTown #travel
    28 1
    Badger Flame (Red) and Avalanche (White) Beets! When you slice open a Badger Flame Beet, a pattern of tangerine fire lights across the vegetable. A carpaccio is the way to go with this beet to really highlight its impressive aesthetic and sweet vulnerability. Some balsamic, sea salt, roasted pumpkin seeds and cut fennel leaves. That’s all you need. The Avalanche beet is the Catechism of vegetables in its clean white colour and innocently sweet flavour. Absolved of any bitterness. Can be grated over salads or roasted into crisp heaven. #beet #avalanchebeet #badgerflamebeet #flame #chef #vegetarian #vegan #health #fitness #CapeTown #travel
  • Daikon Radish available at @olivebranchdeli. The thing about this radish is that you can add them thickly to soups and they’ll absorb all the juices whilst not compromising on their texture. Traditionally, you’d add them to a clear broth with another vegetable or protein. Or even turn them into Kimchi as @sepialskitchen does for us. They have a subtle sweet nectar about them. But even down to their leaves, they’re lush nutrition. The daikon greens are soft melodies of tender flavour and yet have powerful chords of Vitamin C and A, and mineral notes of iron, magnesium, and manganese. They are also known for their cancer-fighting compounds, called glucosinolates. #daikon #kimchi #food #deli #chef #vegan
    51 1
    Daikon Radish available at @olivebranchdeli. The thing about this radish is that you can add them thickly to soups and they’ll absorb all the juices whilst not compromising on their texture. Traditionally, you’d add them to a clear broth with another vegetable or protein. Or even turn them into Kimchi as @sepialskitchen does for us. They have a subtle sweet nectar about them. But even down to their leaves, they’re lush nutrition. The daikon greens are soft melodies of tender flavour and yet have powerful chords of Vitamin C and A, and mineral notes of iron, magnesium, and manganese. They are also known for their cancer-fighting compounds, called glucosinolates. #daikon #kimchi #food #deli #chef #vegan
  • Orazio Fennel in a crisp uniform with anise perfume and flavour. Available at @olivebranchdeli. #fennel #chef #deli #oraziofennel #food #vegan
    45 3
    Orazio Fennel in a crisp uniform with anise perfume and flavour. Available at @olivebranchdeli. #fennel #chef #deli #oraziofennel #food #vegan
  • What was Saturday’s Pumpkin Pie Spiced Jack O’Lantern Macarons from the whisky wand of @bythewhisk. Unfortunately, they’ve all gone trick-or-treating by now. Pumpkin stems from ‘Pepon’, which means ‘melon’ in the Hellenic language. See! Everything comes from the Greek! 😉 Jack O’Lanterns, on the other hand, sprouted from Ireland. Pumpkins didn’t exist there at the time so Ancient Celtics would carve Turnips, Potatoes, Gourds, and Rutabagas on All Hallow’s Eve. Lit with an ember believed to deter evil spirits whilst guiding the way for good ones. And it all began with the legend of Stingy Jack. He was tight with money but loose with mean liquor. He beckoned hell’s king to drink with him, but rejected the bill when it was laid. His solution: convince the devil to transform into a coin to foot it. The devil obliged, but Jack was a crafty beerhead. He slotted the coin into his pocket beside a silver cross, barring the devil from changing back. When Jack sobered his ‘compassion’, he offered freedom on a condition: if the devil swore to leave him be for a year, he could claim his soul should he die. The year passed and the evil one came for his bounty bar infused with Jack’s soul. But have you ever dealt with a stubborn drunk? You’ll do anything to convince them to just walk. And so when he pestered the devil to pick for him some apples from a nearby tree, that’s what he did. The second he climbed up, Jack carved crosses around the tree, blocking his downward climb. But Jack promised to undo it if the devil agreed to never harvest his soul. And that was that. When Jack eventually did die, Saint Peter at the pearly gates was like ‘uh-uh, nope nope nope nope, you are the gluten of hell”. Not being able to enter heaven, he wondered down into hell. Of course now the devil couldn’t accept him due to their deal. So instead he gifted him an ember that Jack homed inside a Turnip that he carved out. And he was left to wonder the earth for all eternity. It just goes to show what James wrote in 2:26 “faith without works is dead” no matter if you carry a cross or not.
    29 1
    What was Saturday’s Pumpkin Pie Spiced Jack O’Lantern Macarons from the whisky wand of @bythewhisk. Unfortunately, they’ve all gone trick-or-treating by now. Pumpkin stems from ‘Pepon’, which means ‘melon’ in the Hellenic language. See! Everything comes from the Greek! 😉 Jack O’Lanterns, on the other hand, sprouted from Ireland. Pumpkins didn’t exist there at the time so Ancient Celtics would carve Turnips, Potatoes, Gourds, and Rutabagas on All Hallow’s Eve. Lit with an ember believed to deter evil spirits whilst guiding the way for good ones. And it all began with the legend of Stingy Jack. He was tight with money but loose with mean liquor. He beckoned hell’s king to drink with him, but rejected the bill when it was laid. His solution: convince the devil to transform into a coin to foot it. The devil obliged, but Jack was a crafty beerhead. He slotted the coin into his pocket beside a silver cross, barring the devil from changing back. When Jack sobered his ‘compassion’, he offered freedom on a condition: if the devil swore to leave him be for a year, he could claim his soul should he die. The year passed and the evil one came for his bounty bar infused with Jack’s soul. But have you ever dealt with a stubborn drunk? You’ll do anything to convince them to just walk. And so when he pestered the devil to pick for him some apples from a nearby tree, that’s what he did. The second he climbed up, Jack carved crosses around the tree, blocking his downward climb. But Jack promised to undo it if the devil agreed to never harvest his soul. And that was that. When Jack eventually did die, Saint Peter at the pearly gates was like ‘uh-uh, nope nope nope nope, you are the gluten of hell”. Not being able to enter heaven, he wondered down into hell. Of course now the devil couldn’t accept him due to their deal. So instead he gifted him an ember that Jack homed inside a Turnip that he carved out. And he was left to wonder the earth for all eternity. It just goes to show what James wrote in 2:26 “faith without works is dead” no matter if you carry a cross or not.
  • Do you know what this is? If you zoom right under the yellow brand name, Pastificio G. Di Martini, you won’t believe your eyes at something so monumental condensed into such humbly small font. You might then notice a distinct pattern on the bag’s packaging design. Yes, it is what you think it is - both spiritually for the world and physically. You might also observe that that is not Tortiglioni in the bag, nor is it a mistake on the company’s part. Instead, I had emptied the tortiglioni in the pot. But I needed more so I cut open a different pasta to bulk it up. I didn’t have a container for the remainder contents. But I did notice for ONCE in my life, a pasta bag with a sticky seal flap on top that actually works. And was not there to literally lull you into a false sense of security. It’s half the reason to experience this brand! The other reason: it’s the marine-trained Supermodel of pasta that struts her firm hips down the sleek catwalk of a sauced baking tin. No matter the heat, she is unaffected. I boiled her, I baked her, I grilled her, and she still wouldn’t crack into vulnerability. She nonchalantly tossed her curly crispy locks my way and I cracked at her feet. Because I had told my brother beforehand not to be ridiculous and order these. I leave you with what is written on their website, as apparently this pasta pairs best with ragout. “Let’’s pay tribute to the great Eduardo De Filippo by quoting the poem he dedicated to Neapolitan ragout in his play Sabato, domenica e lunedì: 'O 'rraù / 'O 'rraù ca me piace a me / m' 'o ffaceva sulo mamma. / A che m'aggio spusato a te, / ne parlammo pè ne parlà (The ragout / the ragout that I like / only mother made. / Since I married you, / we can only speak about it).” It makes you reconsider those friendly smiles on the family illustration. Like why is the husband’s one so much bigger than everyone else’s? And doesn’t the grandma look pretty darn smug? And why is the the wife the only one both clutching onto her wine glass & holding onto the table? Is it for emotional support? How sweet though that there’s an empty seat & plate of pasta at the head for you. Becareful, that’s how they get you. #dolcegabbana
    56 5
    Do you know what this is? If you zoom right under the yellow brand name, Pastificio G. Di Martini, you won’t believe your eyes at something so monumental condensed into such humbly small font. You might then notice a distinct pattern on the bag’s packaging design. Yes, it is what you think it is - both spiritually for the world and physically. You might also observe that that is not Tortiglioni in the bag, nor is it a mistake on the company’s part. Instead, I had emptied the tortiglioni in the pot. But I needed more so I cut open a different pasta to bulk it up. I didn’t have a container for the remainder contents. But I did notice for ONCE in my life, a pasta bag with a sticky seal flap on top that actually works. And was not there to literally lull you into a false sense of security. It’s half the reason to experience this brand! The other reason: it’s the marine-trained Supermodel of pasta that struts her firm hips down the sleek catwalk of a sauced baking tin. No matter the heat, she is unaffected. I boiled her, I baked her, I grilled her, and she still wouldn’t crack into vulnerability. She nonchalantly tossed her curly crispy locks my way and I cracked at her feet. Because I had told my brother beforehand not to be ridiculous and order these. I leave you with what is written on their website, as apparently this pasta pairs best with ragout. “Let’’s pay tribute to the great Eduardo De Filippo by quoting the poem he dedicated to Neapolitan ragout in his play Sabato, domenica e lunedì: 'O 'rraù / 'O 'rraù ca me piace a me / m' 'o ffaceva sulo mamma. / A che m'aggio spusato a te, / ne parlammo pè ne parlà (The ragout / the ragout that I like / only mother made. / Since I married you, / we can only speak about it).” It makes you reconsider those friendly smiles on the family illustration. Like why is the husband’s one so much bigger than everyone else’s? And doesn’t the grandma look pretty darn smug? And why is the the wife the only one both clutching onto her wine glass & holding onto the table? Is it for emotional support? How sweet though that there’s an empty seat & plate of pasta at the head for you. Becareful, that’s how they get you. #dolcegabbana
  • 5 hours. 3 women. Half a bottle of brandy- which I’m not entirely sure was used as an ingredient. And a couple hundred years worth of tradition later... The result is: handmade Kypriaka Ravioles prepped like Greek Fortune Cookies, predicting fillings of grated Halloumi, Anari (aged Ricota), fresh Mint and bound together with egg yolk. Cooked in the broth of a whole boiled chicken - a flavour you just can’t replicate with anything else. They puff up like giant angel wings, which makes sense because they taste heavenly. A squeeze of lemon later and Cyprus embraces you back. There’s this song by The Lovin’ Spoonful, which sums up the meal beyond their name: “Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart? How the music can free her, whenever it starts And it's magic, if the music is groovy It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie I'll tell you about the magic, and it'll free your soul But it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock and roll” To a Cypriot diaspora this is like a road trip down memory lane. The food is a radio that pipes up a golden oldie melody that you burst out singing along to merrily- each bite a revisit to its warming lyrics. My mom used Eureka cake flour, Farmer Angus and Usuna eggs, Son of a Butcher Chicken, and Halloumi from our deli to make these. Along with our dearest friend’s labour. #Cypriot #halloumi #pasta #chef
    149 24
    5 hours. 3 women. Half a bottle of brandy- which I’m not entirely sure was used as an ingredient. And a couple hundred years worth of tradition later... The result is: handmade Kypriaka Ravioles prepped like Greek Fortune Cookies, predicting fillings of grated Halloumi, Anari (aged Ricota), fresh Mint and bound together with egg yolk. Cooked in the broth of a whole boiled chicken - a flavour you just can’t replicate with anything else. They puff up like giant angel wings, which makes sense because they taste heavenly. A squeeze of lemon later and Cyprus embraces you back. There’s this song by The Lovin’ Spoonful, which sums up the meal beyond their name: “Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart? How the music can free her, whenever it starts And it's magic, if the music is groovy It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie I'll tell you about the magic, and it'll free your soul But it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock and roll” To a Cypriot diaspora this is like a road trip down memory lane. The food is a radio that pipes up a golden oldie melody that you burst out singing along to merrily- each bite a revisit to its warming lyrics. My mom used Eureka cake flour, Farmer Angus and Usuna eggs, Son of a Butcher Chicken, and Halloumi from our deli to make these. Along with our dearest friend’s labour. #Cypriot #halloumi #pasta #chef
  • Antique Cypriot culture would have the men recline after a long hard day’s work while women labour after working. The men, in their exclusively male tables, would debate serious politics whilst not realizing that the women in the kitchen were the real politicians that govern them. After all, controlling food supply is a powerful military tactic used to take down stubborn villages. I’m not saying that Cypriot men are obstinate, I’m just saying that I hear a lot of nikokiras (housewives) declaring sieges. With all the gender stereotypes of a woman’s place being in a kitchen, how little they knew that it was control hub central. Walking into that kitchen as a young girl required the same qualities that a wizard needs to step through the wall on Platform 9 & 3/4. You had to be magical. And you had to be determined. From the quiet of the rest of the house, the kitchen buzzed with activity. Even the clanking sounds emanating were like the warming hums of a beehive, deterring (male) predators from going in for early pickings. This brilliant production line explained why women were used to assemble weapons during war time. Everyone knew their lane and you would fall in wherever needed. Flour like gun shot residue speckling everything. There’d be this recipe book that everyone seemed to have, wounded from overuse, front cover amputated, and lacking pictures to ensure that you paid attention when your mother, the commander in chief, showed you how to make each thing. Every house had more aprons than female inhabitants because traditional Cypriot food was a team effort, lasting over 5 hours if not a whole day. These aprons would be fastened on with such ease & tightness you’d think they’d cast a spell of compliance over the bows- and you. I loved the feeling in the kitchen because each lesson felt like you were receiving an inheritance; these precious heirlooms of knowledge passed down the generations. Every household made it a little different so when a guest came over to help it was conflict of cross contamination. Blenders were snatched away. Red cards of criticism were thrown in the mix. I think they inspired the Lieutenant’s insults from Full Metal Jacket.
    118 11
    Antique Cypriot culture would have the men recline after a long hard day’s work while women labour after working. The men, in their exclusively male tables, would debate serious politics whilst not realizing that the women in the kitchen were the real politicians that govern them. After all, controlling food supply is a powerful military tactic used to take down stubborn villages. I’m not saying that Cypriot men are obstinate, I’m just saying that I hear a lot of nikokiras (housewives) declaring sieges. With all the gender stereotypes of a woman’s place being in a kitchen, how little they knew that it was control hub central. Walking into that kitchen as a young girl required the same qualities that a wizard needs to step through the wall on Platform 9 & 3/4. You had to be magical. And you had to be determined. From the quiet of the rest of the house, the kitchen buzzed with activity. Even the clanking sounds emanating were like the warming hums of a beehive, deterring (male) predators from going in for early pickings. This brilliant production line explained why women were used to assemble weapons during war time. Everyone knew their lane and you would fall in wherever needed. Flour like gun shot residue speckling everything. There’d be this recipe book that everyone seemed to have, wounded from overuse, front cover amputated, and lacking pictures to ensure that you paid attention when your mother, the commander in chief, showed you how to make each thing. Every house had more aprons than female inhabitants because traditional Cypriot food was a team effort, lasting over 5 hours if not a whole day. These aprons would be fastened on with such ease & tightness you’d think they’d cast a spell of compliance over the bows- and you. I loved the feeling in the kitchen because each lesson felt like you were receiving an inheritance; these precious heirlooms of knowledge passed down the generations. Every household made it a little different so when a guest came over to help it was conflict of cross contamination. Blenders were snatched away. Red cards of criticism were thrown in the mix. I think they inspired the Lieutenant’s insults from Full Metal Jacket.
  • Good day Rabbits, Today your menu of veggies at the @olivebranchdeli include the exotique but locally grown: From left to right- Cylindra Beetroot Hinona Kaba Turnip Shunkyo Semi-Long Radish Niseko Turnip Extra Dwarf Pak Choi From @meusefarm. RECIPE On Global Growers Website. Crispy Wonton Wrapper Crackers nested with wilted rocket and pink pickled mandolin slices of Shunkyo Radish on a sour cream Turnip Purée. But I think the Bak Choi with its blessing of a baby spinach flavour would work just as well in lieu of the the rocket. And you could also do a sour cream Cylindra beetroot purée. So clever to take the dumpling wrappers and, instead of frying them, putting them on an oiled brushed baking sheet and oven toasting them until golden suns. Create the summer that won’t seem to come and serve it on a tray. #chef #vegetarian #veggie #recipe #deli #Japan #CapeTown #travel
    48 0
    Good day Rabbits, Today your menu of veggies at the @olivebranchdeli include the exotique but locally grown: From left to right- Cylindra Beetroot Hinona Kaba Turnip Shunkyo Semi-Long Radish Niseko Turnip Extra Dwarf Pak Choi From @meusefarm. RECIPE On Global Growers Website. Crispy Wonton Wrapper Crackers nested with wilted rocket and pink pickled mandolin slices of Shunkyo Radish on a sour cream Turnip Purée. But I think the Bak Choi with its blessing of a baby spinach flavour would work just as well in lieu of the the rocket. And you could also do a sour cream Cylindra beetroot purée. So clever to take the dumpling wrappers and, instead of frying them, putting them on an oiled brushed baking sheet and oven toasting them until golden suns. Create the summer that won’t seem to come and serve it on a tray. #chef #vegetarian #veggie #recipe #deli #Japan #CapeTown #travel
  • You can’t see it with the naked eye, but there’s this abundance of light knighting you from above.
    99 1
    You can’t see it with the naked eye, but there’s this abundance of light knighting you from above.
  • A Rainbow of Peppercorns are available at the @olivebranchdeli. From Pink to White, from Thai Long Peppers to Chinese Sichuan. Changing something as small as a peppercorn powerfully impacts the flavour profile of an otherwise simple dish. I love to do Cacio e Pepe with the winey notes of a Thai Long Pepper. A boiled egg with white pepper- life changing! Or grinding lemony roasted Sancho Pepper Salt to add zing to flakey fish. Or dropping crushed pink peppercorns into a yoghurt dip so there’s polka dots of citrus flavour. Or making a pepper sauce with the intensity of a Voatsiperifery pepper. There is bursting magic in the small dynamite of pepper. #peppercorns #chef #sichuan #deli #capetown #travel
    44 0
    A Rainbow of Peppercorns are available at the @olivebranchdeli. From Pink to White, from Thai Long Peppers to Chinese Sichuan. Changing something as small as a peppercorn powerfully impacts the flavour profile of an otherwise simple dish. I love to do Cacio e Pepe with the winey notes of a Thai Long Pepper. A boiled egg with white pepper- life changing! Or grinding lemony roasted Sancho Pepper Salt to add zing to flakey fish. Or dropping crushed pink peppercorns into a yoghurt dip so there’s polka dots of citrus flavour. Or making a pepper sauce with the intensity of a Voatsiperifery pepper. There is bursting magic in the small dynamite of pepper. #peppercorns #chef #sichuan #deli #capetown #travel
  • Harry Potter never ended, it just opened a new chapter in the Deli. #HarryPotter #deli #architecture #food #chef
    42 0
    Harry Potter never ended, it just opened a new chapter in the Deli. #HarryPotter #deli #architecture #food #chef
  • November 2nd 2019 is Cookie Monster’s 50th Birthday! Though technically drafted in 1966, he pretends he’s younger like the rest of us. Especially when the Uber driver refers to me as ‘Mama’ before my time. Fun fact: A sample in Afrikaans is a ‘monster’ so a Cookie Monster is actually a Cookie Sample. Sid was his real name before his sweet treat habit kicked in. Then he became what he ate. And everyone forgot to call him by his given name. Sesame Street may have been his home, but he certainly wondered down some dark bakery alleys. Apparently he’s cleaned up his act. Having referred himself on the Stephen Colbert show as being the “Robert Downey Jnr. of Cookies” in the wild 70s & 80s, his bio now lists him as representing children with speech difficulties. He recently taught both younglings and adults how to spell ‘Subpoena” on the Late Show in wake of a certain president. It’s amazing what one can do with their voice when they’re aren’t busy stuffing their mouths. Anyhoo, Cookie Monster Macarons available at @olivebranchdeli. And just this once, for aesthetic reasons, he has a cookie in his mouth that’s he’s offering to you. #macaron #Cookiemonster #deli
    73 5
    November 2nd 2019 is Cookie Monster’s 50th Birthday! Though technically drafted in 1966, he pretends he’s younger like the rest of us. Especially when the Uber driver refers to me as ‘Mama’ before my time. Fun fact: A sample in Afrikaans is a ‘monster’ so a Cookie Monster is actually a Cookie Sample. Sid was his real name before his sweet treat habit kicked in. Then he became what he ate. And everyone forgot to call him by his given name. Sesame Street may have been his home, but he certainly wondered down some dark bakery alleys. Apparently he’s cleaned up his act. Having referred himself on the Stephen Colbert show as being the “Robert Downey Jnr. of Cookies” in the wild 70s & 80s, his bio now lists him as representing children with speech difficulties. He recently taught both younglings and adults how to spell ‘Subpoena” on the Late Show in wake of a certain president. It’s amazing what one can do with their voice when they’re aren’t busy stuffing their mouths. Anyhoo, Cookie Monster Macarons available at @olivebranchdeli. And just this once, for aesthetic reasons, he has a cookie in his mouth that’s he’s offering to you. #macaron #Cookiemonster #deli
  • ‘Braai Me’ Olives available @olivebranchdeli. My favourite olives in the whole world, aside from my dad’s famous Tsakistes, are at @lovethyneighbour_ct in Bree Street. They serve delicately crisp kalamata olives, swollen with juice from being roasted on the fire with rosemary and orange. Their warm tempting aroma tosses caution to the wind, which you catch in an inhale. You simply do not wait for them to adequately cool down for safer consumption temperature. Instead you swallow the fire like savoury, popping candy. It got me thinking, why not not make a South African Braai Spice Marinade for our olives? And so that’s what we did. All you have to do is cover them in foil and toast them on the grill or oven. You can even add your own citrus squeeze later. I’m telling you, Olives are totally the new meat. #braai #olives #deli #capetown #vegetarian #vegan
    58 7
    ‘Braai Me’ Olives available @olivebranchdeli. My favourite olives in the whole world, aside from my dad’s famous Tsakistes, are at @lovethyneighbour_ct in Bree Street. They serve delicately crisp kalamata olives, swollen with juice from being roasted on the fire with rosemary and orange. Their warm tempting aroma tosses caution to the wind, which you catch in an inhale. You simply do not wait for them to adequately cool down for safer consumption temperature. Instead you swallow the fire like savoury, popping candy. It got me thinking, why not not make a South African Braai Spice Marinade for our olives? And so that’s what we did. All you have to do is cover them in foil and toast them on the grill or oven. You can even add your own citrus squeeze later. I’m telling you, Olives are totally the new meat. #braai #olives #deli #capetown #vegetarian #vegan
  • Hubba Bubba and Double Bubble Chewing Gum available at @olivebranchdeli! I don’t remember seeing anything sugar-free until I turned 24. The thing about Hubba Bubba... Its brightly pink perfume huffs through the packaging, calling you by your childhood nickname. The ghost of the powdery coating haunting the tangible memories of your fingertips and palate. You can smell the bubbles on your past lips as if in future present. You can practically feel its Mr. Fantastic elasticity capabilities. To unwind the bubblegum strip now is to rewind time on the VCR tape of life. Right back to the good ol’ memories. As for Double Bubble, oh the Instagram boomerang recordings you can make, you youngings. #doublebubble #hubbabubba #bubble #candy #CapeTown
    32 1
    Hubba Bubba and Double Bubble Chewing Gum available at @olivebranchdeli! I don’t remember seeing anything sugar-free until I turned 24. The thing about Hubba Bubba... Its brightly pink perfume huffs through the packaging, calling you by your childhood nickname. The ghost of the powdery coating haunting the tangible memories of your fingertips and palate. You can smell the bubbles on your past lips as if in future present. You can practically feel its Mr. Fantastic elasticity capabilities. To unwind the bubblegum strip now is to rewind time on the VCR tape of life. Right back to the good ol’ memories. As for Double Bubble, oh the Instagram boomerang recordings you can make, you youngings. #doublebubble #hubbabubba #bubble #candy #CapeTown
  • Today we have 4 new sandwiches available! Pesto, Two Cheeses, Avocado and Pickled Red Peppers. Salami, Feta and Olives. Smoked Chicken, Cheese and Salad. Pecorino, Anchovy, Fish Paste and Salad. #sandwiches #food #deli #capetown
    46 3
    Today we have 4 new sandwiches available! Pesto, Two Cheeses, Avocado and Pickled Red Peppers. Salami, Feta and Olives. Smoked Chicken, Cheese and Salad. Pecorino, Anchovy, Fish Paste and Salad. #sandwiches #food #deli #capetown
  • Peanut Butter Buttercream Cactus Macs from the amazing, the incredible, and the wonderful @bythewhisk! People speak of the feeling after eating her Macarons. There’s this prompt biting into. A deep pause. And Boom! A green light go flashes in their eyes. But to sum it up from a happy muncher today, “Man, you can feel the love”. #cacti #cactus #macaron #peanutbutter #deli
    72 2
    Peanut Butter Buttercream Cactus Macs from the amazing, the incredible, and the wonderful @bythewhisk! People speak of the feeling after eating her Macarons. There’s this prompt biting into. A deep pause. And Boom! A green light go flashes in their eyes. But to sum it up from a happy muncher today, “Man, you can feel the love”. #cacti #cactus #macaron #peanutbutter #deli
  • Durban kindness in the form of @stonelodgefoods granola in Cape Town @olivebranchdeli. Probably my favourite at the moment. Golden roasted until the nutty, buttery, coconut richness can trench-coats your palate in warmth. Served with Buffalo Yoghurt from @buffaloridgemozzarella and @farmerstableza Honey. Buffalo Yoghurt is actually higher in fat than cow’s milk based yoghurts so you feel more satiated. Otherwise light breakfasts just feel like an appetizer if I’m being real. #breakfast #granola
    68 2
    Durban kindness in the form of @stonelodgefoods granola in Cape Town @olivebranchdeli. Probably my favourite at the moment. Golden roasted until the nutty, buttery, coconut richness can trench-coats your palate in warmth. Served with Buffalo Yoghurt from @buffaloridgemozzarella and @farmerstableza Honey. Buffalo Yoghurt is actually higher in fat than cow’s milk based yoghurts so you feel more satiated. Otherwise light breakfasts just feel like an appetizer if I’m being real. #breakfast #granola
  • A trail into the garden of the deli will reveal a range of worldly seedlings: Dragon Lettuce Red Cloud Tat Soi Extra Dwarf Pak Choi Shunkyo Semi-Long Radishes Tuscan Hard Neck Garlic. There is something about @meusefarm where all their vegetables and herbs taste deeply of their nature, having not been watered down to enlarge their size for the bigger resale value. If you ever wanted to truly taste the colour green, come be a rabbit by us and nibble on these wondrous plants. Preferable after purchasing them. #herbs #green #deli #garden
    61 5
    A trail into the garden of the deli will reveal a range of worldly seedlings: Dragon Lettuce Red Cloud Tat Soi Extra Dwarf Pak Choi Shunkyo Semi-Long Radishes Tuscan Hard Neck Garlic. There is something about @meusefarm where all their vegetables and herbs taste deeply of their nature, having not been watered down to enlarge their size for the bigger resale value. If you ever wanted to truly taste the colour green, come be a rabbit by us and nibble on these wondrous plants. Preferable after purchasing them. #herbs #green #deli #garden
  • A certain room of requirements will be open today. It’s been said that only when a person truly needs it shall they be granted access. For at times it is there, and at others, it is absent. But when it becomes visible, it is most well equipped for the aspirant’s needs. #deli
    166 5
    A certain room of requirements will be open today. It’s been said that only when a person truly needs it shall they be granted access. For at times it is there, and at others, it is absent. But when it becomes visible, it is most well equipped for the aspirant’s needs. #deli
  • So you’re serious about Swedish Fish? But are you 2.5kg serious? Available at @olivebranchdeli. #Swedishfish #candy #Deli #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #travel
    81 8
    So you’re serious about Swedish Fish? But are you 2.5kg serious? Available at @olivebranchdeli. #Swedishfish #candy #Deli #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #travel
  • @bythewhisk is back!!! And she has brought Adorable Koalas filled with caramelized white chocolate buttercream. Available at @olivebranchdeli.
    120 12
    @bythewhisk is back!!! And she has brought Adorable Koalas filled with caramelized white chocolate buttercream. Available at @olivebranchdeli.
  • A is for Avalanche Beets! B is for Breakfast Radishes! C is for Cylindra Beets! Available at @olivebranchdeli! #chef #vegan #vegetarian #deli #capetown #health #fitness
    50 0
    A is for Avalanche Beets! B is for Breakfast Radishes! C is for Cylindra Beets! Available at @olivebranchdeli! #chef #vegan #vegetarian #deli #capetown #health #fitness
  • Available at @olivebranchdeli , Xtremes Sourfuis Rainbow Berry Airheads- as seen by your children on YouTube. It both feels and tastes like Childhood Sour Cherry Chewing Gum that unexpectedly dissolves in your mouth. I love how the minute someone opens a bag of them, they know they’re not gonna stop at one. And they have that distinct smell of Sweets from Heaven. #airheads #candy #deli
    32 0
    Available at @olivebranchdeli , Xtremes Sourfuis Rainbow Berry Airheads- as seen by your children on YouTube. It both feels and tastes like Childhood Sour Cherry Chewing Gum that unexpectedly dissolves in your mouth. I love how the minute someone opens a bag of them, they know they’re not gonna stop at one. And they have that distinct smell of Sweets from Heaven. #airheads #candy #deli