Warm weather needs some sweet treats
It always feels like warm weather requires sweet treats. That’s certainly what it felt like growing up in the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
It was always about how many deliciously sweet things one could eat – from the ripe mangoes from a neighbour’s trees to vanilla ice cream in cones, and cakes baked by the neighbourhood moms.
We’ve been having some terrible weather lately, and I’ve been craving some sweetness just to celebrate the coming spring and to keep me holding on until the warmer days are here.
Lucky for me and you, dear reader, pastry chef Hendrik Pretorius, who is currently working at a top café in Lisbon, Portugal, has shared a sweet recipe from his upcoming book The Sweet Side of Life.
There’s also a recipe from Miss SA Top 10 finalist Moratwe Masima and from former dance teacher turned chef, Rufaro Chaniwa.
Pretorius, a Capsicum Culinary Studio alumnus, shared his recipes of a coconut treat, which absolutely make me think of beautiful tropical weather.
BEIJINHO DE COCO (COCONUT KISSES)
[Time: 45 Minutes. Makes 12]
The translation of Beijinho de Coco is “Coconut Kiss” and this sweet treat is a firm favourite in Portugal, especially at birthday parties!
INGREDIENTS
1 tin sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon butter
150g desiccated coconut
butter for greasing
METHOD
Bring the condensed milk and butter to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture has reduced by half and thickened (20 mins). Remove from heat and stir in the coconut and allow to cool before pouring into a pre-greased bowl.
Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
Rub a little oil into your hands and then, using a tablespoon, scoop out the coconut fudge and roll between your hands into little balls. Roll each ball in coconut and store in a cool place or in the fridge until serving.
Sweetness the doctor ordered
One of the Miss SA Top 10 finalists is an intern doctor at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Moratwe Masima.
The 24-year-old is an aspiring plastic and reconstructive surgeon and when she’s looking for a sweet fix she makes a delicious apricot pudding. Here is her recipe below so you can try this doctor’s sweet tooth fix.