I love everything about Christmas morning! So much in fact that Christmas morning for me starts the night before. Whether I’m making my pastry for my incredible Stilton Quiche that I only bake on Christmas morning, or getting pure cocoa from Jamaica prepped for Coco Tea (made from the actual cocoa bean in raw form).

This Christmas breakfast I added side bacon to the Stilton quiche and made home made scones. They were so good!
What made them priceless was that they were home made. Not from-a-box home made, from-scratch home made. As with all hand made products it’s the flaws that make it endearing. I used heavy cream and tripled the required butter (a slight mistake from misreading the line on the butter marker), however the result was heaven. They were little dollops of heaven. Steaming from the oven, we devoured them with double English cream and raspberry plum jam.

Truffles. Yum. When you have a full untouched box, the world is yours.  A parking ticket isn’t as bad.  The parents don’t seem to be screaming as loudly.  Hell, even your homework seems exciting.

Yes, the truffle is the ultimate comfort food.  It makes everything better.  It’s chocolate, French and comes in a fancy box you’ll keep around for a few months to remind you of how great the contents were.  What’s not to love?

They may be hard to share but I recommend sharing them. You will reap benefits. Friends, parents, teachers.

That special someone not that i would know anything about that, being 16+,(not to worry mom)

In 1993, I wrote a research paper with the opening statement: “This paper comes on the eve of profound political change in South Africa…” Advance 15 years and there are tremendous political changes here — good, bad and indifferent. However, my quest this time is not to investigate F.W. de Klerk’s government and the Apartheid regime…it’s to discover fabulous foods from South Africa — what has been opened to our side of the world since sanctions lifted.This is my first visit to South Africa. Now that I’ve tasted the exotic African culinary delights…in the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger…I’ll be back.Thus far the perfect sunny days ends with “sundowners,”(indulging in an array of delicious cocktails)while watching the sun set. Words cannot express the stunning Cape Town vistas so I’ve attached a picture.

South African wines have garnered much world respect over the last ten years. Why is that so? It’s the same reason that delicious South African items like our Chaloner fruit preserves are so remarkable. There is something, some intangible spiritual ingredient in the South African soil that lends itself to a deep, intense flavour in all its fruits. This makes the South African food items outstanding and different from the other varieties we source from China and even though I am patriotic to Canada –my home — the flavours are more intense than the anything we find in the Great White North.

This week I will be writing on Fabulous Finds in Cape Town, sharing this incredible and delicious journey.

Indulgent Food. Life. Style. “A foodie is not just looking for expensive items, it’s the adventure, tasting, sharing…the entire culinary experience”. “I love what I do! I am passionate about food.

It is so much more than the way I make a living. More accurately, it’s about the extraordinary people — the chefs, critics, artisans and dreamers – as well as the less fortunate and the most fortunate. I am grateful that you allow me to share my passion with you and that I have a job like this, that involves making people happy through food.” Nadine Spencer, Indulgent Foodie

It delights my heart to entertain. It’s how I got in the food business. I love guests. Especially ones that cook!

Recently, my dear friend and Q Gourmet executive chef Ray Bear came to town for a business trip. My eagerness to host him had ulterior motives. I envisioned daily meals prepared by Ray, and I even planned a little party of 20.

To my dismay Ray was busy every moment with meetings. On the last day while driving back home so he could pack and leave, I commented how sad I was that he had not even boiled water during his stay. Looking at my sad face with the single tear rolling down my cheek (slight exaggeration) he said “ok Nadine I have two hours I will make you dinner before leaving for the airport, what do you feel for?” Well I said, it would be nice to have some risotto, maybe just a mushroom one as you don’t have the time, but you know lobster risotto is my favourite….and you do such a great sea bass…”

The quality I adore about Ray, he loves to please and does not disappoint(in the kitchen).

Not content to simply cook up a ‘mortal’ meal, he created a decadent masterpiece.

The Michelin star worthy meal comprised of a lobster risotto, bursting with flavour, he then he placed on top of the risotto a grilled tender, light melt-in-your- mouth Sea Bass, sprawled across the sea bass was a layer of baked spaghetti squash mixed with butter, and the finish, crispy delicious bacon.

It was outstanding, decadent, and delicious!

So if you ever find yourself invited to my house. Just know that you better bring your A game to the kitchen.