No Winter Lasts forever…no spring skips it’s turn

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It has been a long winter… Cold crispy nights still linger across the Kalahari savannas and silently cover the landscape with frost. The evenings call for a blazing fireplace and special family dinners with candles burning deep into the night. Deep conversations about the times we live in, the challenges we are all facing and the unknown of a ‘new normal’. This is the time to warm our hearts with love and hope and live expectantly.

In winter, the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity.

John Burroughs

Few things spell out COMFORT like a bowl of risotto. It is my favorite one-dish meal. Risotto is a northern Italian rice dish that’s as warm, comforting, and rustic as it is elegant and complex. While it is a simple and classic preparation, do not be fooled, as it requires utmost attention and care to perfect. When done correctly, risotto is creamy and decadent with a bite, and its layers of flavors meld together perfectly.

This recipe can be modified to your linking. Substitute mushrooms with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, butternut or any vegetables you have on hand. And it’s also an amazing dish to embrace leftovers: fresh herbs, leftover meat, fish and cheese, or anything in the kitchen that inspires you to be innovative!

Lastly, be patient with your risotto and you will be rewarded tenfold.

It soothes the soul. It is warm. It is creamy. It is comfort.

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Some Italian Inspiration

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Our family LOVES everything about Italy. It is our number one vacation destination (if not traveling across the beautiful African continent).

The Italian people, the history, the quaint old walled towns, the strong espresso served on the square, the delectable cuisine using fresh ingredients, the gelato in every flavour and colour, the delectable pasta made by an Italian Nonna, char grilled vegetables soaked in olive oil, full bodied red wine, long family dinners around the dinner table…what is there not to like?

This beautiful fresh salad embodies all that Italy represents: al dente pasta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes bursting in your mouth, proudly fat olives, vibrant green basil leaves… all tossed together and served as a special side dish with a relaxed afternoon lunch.

The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again.

George Miller, Director

ITALIAN PASTA RICE SALAD

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 Cup uncooked pasta rice (orzo)

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp toasted pine nuts + more for serving (optional)

1 small red onion finely chopped

12 kalamata olives pitted and sliced

1 Cup Feta cheese, cut into small cubes

Handful of cherry tomatoes cut into quarters (I like the rainbow mix available in some supermarkets)

The juice of half a lemon

1/2 Cup basil pesto

Black pepper and sea salt to season

1 Fresh Avocado, chopped

A small handful of fresh basil chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook the pasta rice according to the packet. Once cooked, drain in a colander then rinse under the cold tap.Stir in half a tablespoon of the extra virgin olive oil and leave the pasta to cool fully.Transfer to a large bowl or serving dish.
  2. Add the pesto to a small bowl, pour in 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and the juice of half a large lemon, stir well.
  3. Once the pasta has cooled add the chopped onion, cherry tomatoes, feta and the kalamata olives to the pasta.Pour the pesto dressing into the bowl then add the basil and pine nuts and toss carefully.
  4. Season with cracked black pepper and sea salt to taste.
  5. Top with more basil leaves and fresh chopped avocado
  6. Serve at room temperature

Making ahead – This can be made a day ahead, just store it in the fridge in an airtight container. Add avocado before serving with fresh basil leaves.