Christmas in winter
CHARCOAL SALT- CRUSTED FILLET WITH CHILLI OIL
Serves: 6 – 8
INGREDIENTS
• 1 whole beef fillet
• 2 cups coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon activated charcoal powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the chilli oil:
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 200 ° C.
2. Mix salt, charcoal and pepper.
3. Rub the fillet with olive oil and pack the salt crust around it.
4. Bake 10 – 20 minutes( depending on how big the fillet is).
5. Allow to rest for 5 – 10 minutes before cracking open the crust and slicing.
6. While the meat’ s resting, warm the chilli oil ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat until fragrant. Drizzle over the sliced fillet.
TOP TIP:
Alternatively, use a good-quality store-bought chilli oil or chilli crunch.
PEPPERMINT crisp MALVA PUDDING CUPCAKES
INGREDIENTS
For the cupcakes:
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup castor sugar
• 3 tablespoons smooth apricot jam
• 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 4 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 cup cake flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• ½ cup milk
• 1 crushed Peppermint Crisp Chocolate, to sprinkle
For the sauce:
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup cream
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
For the icing:
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup plain cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup Caramel Treat
• 2 cups icing sugar, sifted
• 4 teaspoons peppermint essence
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 180 ° C and line a 12-hole muffin tin.
2. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric beater to beat the eggs and castor sugar until pale, thick, and ribbon-like. Whisk in apricot jam, then stir in the vinegar and melted butter.
3. Gently incorporate the flour, cocoa and bicarb. Once combined, add the milk and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Fill the lined muffin tin ⅔ full and bake at 180 ° C for 20-25 minutes.
5. Add all the sauce ingredients
28 | Winter 2026 • essentialflavours. co. za