RECIPES
Gourmet comfort food with a local twist
Winter in South Africa is the perfect time to embrace bold, comforting flavours that turn every meal into a remarkable experience. These gourmet yet effortless recipes bring a touch of indulgence to your table. Whether it is the savoury combination of biltong and blue cheese in crispy phyllo tartlets or the tender ostrich fillet with a rich dark chocolate and red wine sauce, these dishes bring warmth and flavour to your winter table. Simple to make yet full of depth, they are perfect for a special meal.
BILTONG AND BLUE CHEESE TARTLETS
These crispy phyllo tartlets combine the familiar taste of biltong with the bold creaminess of blue cheese, creating an indulgent yet easy-to-make appetizer. Perfect for a sophisticated winter gathering!
INGREDIENTS
For the tartlet shells:
• 6 sheets of phyllo pastry
• 3 tbsp melted butter
For the filling:
• 100g finely shaved or grated biltong
• 100g blue cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup fresh cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped( optional, for garnish)
• Honey, for drizzling( optional, for garnish)
METHOD
The shells Preheat the oven to 180 ° C. Brush a sheet of phyllo pastry lightly with melted butter. Layer another sheet on top and repeat until all six sheets are stacked. Cut the stacked sheets into 12 equal squares. Press each square into a greased muffin tin, gently shaping them into cups. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove and let them cool.
The filling In a mixing bowl, combine blue cheese, cream cheese and cream. Mash together until smooth. Stir in biltong, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chives and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Spoon the biltong and blue cheese mixture into each cooled phyllo cup. Garnish with toasted walnuts and a light drizzle of honey, if using. Serve immediately.
Vegetarian option: Substitute the biltong with mushrooms.
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