Ricardo Whittaker – ICA 3rd-year student, specialising in Professional Wine Studies & Event Coördination
Mellasat White Pinotage 2019
CONFETTI BUSH CROUTONS
CAPE MALAY ACHAR DRESSING
TO SERVE
TIP: For extra crispy croutons, bake the Naan squares at 100°C for 45 minutes.
WINE PAIRING: Mellasat White Pinotage 2019
Confetti bush (coleonema pulschellum) is also known as “false buchu”. It is an aromatic, evergreen shrub, covered with masses of starry pink flowers in winter and spring. It is found growing along coastal regions from Knysna to Gqeberha (PE). The plant has a delicate herbal fragrance and notes of lemon and pepper on the tongue. Commonly found in flower bouquets across the country, this plant reminded me of the famous Adderley Street flower market, generally managed by Malay women selling their beautiful blooms to the greater Cape Town population.
I love using local ingredients and celebrating the beautiful and diverse cuisines South Africa has to offer. This salad was heavily inspired by the spices and dishes of the Cape Malay culture and consists of spiced trout fishcakes made from sustainably farmed trout, a variety of spices like coriander, fennel, curry and fresh herbs like dill, chives and spring onion. The dressing consists of yoghurt, mild mango achar and Cape Fynbos honey. The croutons are made from naan bread with indigenous confetti bush.
By not peeling any of the vegetables in the recipe, I maintained the fibre content and reduced wastage. By growing your own herbs, the nutrient content may increase.