Tuesday, September 28, 2010

This Week I...

…made butter chicken.

Because my mom is from Durban, curry is in my blood. Sunday lunch in our family is never complete without chicken, some sort of pasta dish and a huge-ass pot of curry. Out of all the curries and curry-like dishes I’ve tasted butter chicken has to be my favourite.

Butter chicken is something my mom won’t make though. It’s a little more difficult than most curries and lots of recipes differ. I’ve had a look at some of the recipes and it seemed a lot harder than pouring curry powder over chicken, potatoes and peas. But as it felt like this week had flown by and I hadn’t done anything new, I though “why not” and went for a recipe search.

I was browsing over on Food24 and I found a recipe which sounded relatively easy and something even I could not mess up. I quickly printed and got to work.

My ingredients consisted of cubed chicken, turmeric (which stains everything beware), garlic, butter, salt and cream. I also needed some red chili which I didn’t have enough of and would later notice what a difference it makes.


I started by combining all the above ingredients except the cream and chicken. Then I poured the mixture over the chicken to marinade.


An hour late and the chicken was ready to be cooked. Once it was cooked, I added the cream and some coriander for flavour. Then I let it simmer for a bit while I made some rice.





Here is the result:


If I’m 100% honest, the dish was good but it seemed to be missing something. According to curry extraordinaire aka my mom I really needed those chilis that I overlooked. Also some naan bread or a roti would have made it even better.

But I’m fairly confident I can make this again and make it even better.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Monday, September 27, 2010

In My Dreams

Every now and again I like to torture myself by going to Net-a-Porter and browsing the "What's New" pages.

I can't afford the items, yet. But I'm practising for the day when I'm Oprah rich.

This is one item I would very much like to afford. I'm not sure if I can pull it off but I cannot stop looking at it.

It's called the Notte and it's by Marchesa. It's also what female wet dreams are made of ;)


Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Monday's Mantra


This week Princess Sarah arrives!
I believe work is taking its toll on my immune system.
I’m addicted to KFC’s cream cheese and sweet chili wrap, 8 Out of Ten Cats and Geraldine by Glasvegas.
I wish being sick didn't affect my skin. Isn't feeling terrible bad enough.
It’s sucky that the weekend seemed to disappear and it’s Monday again.
Soundtrack/Mantra for the week Get on up when you're down.

Image from here.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

This Week I...

...tried karaoke.


This new thing has been a long time coming. Firstly I love to sing and dance. The only problem is I'm not very good at it. The singing part, on the dancing front, I am a genius ;)

I think my fear of singing in front of people started when I played SingStar and the stupid avatar told me I was tone deaf. Therefore it was more out of consideration for others that I didn't sing out loud rather than I was afraid.

This year for Blue Eyes' birthday she decided to do some karaoke. It was the perfect time to try singing in public. So aimed with some of my best friends, a whole lot of pre-drinks and a rested voice we ventured out to find a karaoke bar.

The problem with finding a good (read classy) karaoke bar that's available on a specific night is tricky. So if you're willing to forgo a few things and get drunk, any bar becomes a good one.

The night started off with Blue Eyes' rendition of Kiss by Prince. Myself and my brother were next. I thought working with someone would diminish the shame and pain of peoples ears bleeding. After a roaring version of Thong Song though, I was a karaoke addict.

Other great highlights included my solo of We Belong by Pat Benetar, a crowd pleaser of Gay Bar with Samma Designs, friends doing a Rammestein song that was not in english and the Glee fans singing Don't Stop Believin'.

It was a fabulous night followed by some serious headaches the next morning.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Image from here.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday's 'late' Mantra

Sorry folks for this one being late, but here it is...Enjoy


This week I need to focus on getting the alcohol out of my system
I believe sometimes you have the most fun when things are unplanned
I’m addicted to Karaoke
I wish you could get drunk without having to suffer the consequences of a hang-over
It’s sucky that Green Eyes is not feeling too well
Soundtrack/Mantra for the Week All I Wanna Do (is have some fun)

Friday, September 17, 2010

End of the Week Notes

*My new favourite show is Modern Family. It’s the perfect fill-in while I wait for the new seasons of 30 Rock and Glee. My favourite characters are Cam and Manny.



*Starting the day with a bacon and cheese crossiant from Jardine Bakery is awesome. My brother and I headed over for an early breakfast. They also serve Deluxe coffee which I love so it was a double score.

*It’s Blue Eyes’ birthday today. Happy Birthday to an awesome roomie and friend!

*This picture from The Sartorialist makes me want to buy lots of dresses and count down the days to summer.



*Peanut butter on toast is the bomb diggidy and my new favourite snack.

*Have found the motivation for gym. Stop going for four months and discover that you’ve gone from an hourglass figure to a blob. Then look at yourself in the mirror. Result? I’ve been to gym all week.

*Alphabeat is the happiest music you’ll ever hear. It’s even happier than ABBA.

Have a fabulous weekend bitches!

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

This Week I...

…went back to 1989.

Unfortunately not literally. Imagine how much fun that would have been though.

In 1989 Seinfeld started (can you believe it?), FW de Klerk becomes president in SA and abolishes a couple of apartheid laws, Joe Jonas is born and Ferrymans opens.


Ferrymans is a bar and restaurant at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. It is also the reason we did a little time-travelling.

To celebrate their 21st birthday, selected items on the menu and drinks are priced at prices from 1989. Which meant meals went for R9.50 and drinks ranged from R4 glass of wine to R5.50 draft beer.

Never one to pass up wine at cheap prices, I got together with some of my besties and we headed over to try out the special.

First thing that awaited us was the massive queue. Luckily we did plan ahead and made a reservation. Unfortunately when there is a deal like this, it doesn’t matter. The place was absolutely packed and the poor waitresses looked harassed. There seemed to be massive delays on food coming out so we ordered everything together. It still took ages for our drinks and food to arrive though but when you’re paying under R20 for a meal, it’s okay. It also helps if you have some interesting friends for make-shift entertainment.

When the food did arrive it was delicious and disappeared fast. Luckily the drinks lasted a little bit longer.

Le friends


Le wine


Le drunk


If you’re in Cape Town, the special is on Monday to Friday from 15h00 to 19h00 until the 21st of September. Booking is like way important. You can visit their website for more info.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Classic Movie, Classic Quote


"Look Heather left behind one of her Swatches. She'd want you to have it Veronica. She always said you couldn't accessorize for shit."

The Heathers

Image from here.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

For Everyone Who Loved Up!

I got this adorable picture from my brother. Doesn't it just make you smile.


Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

This Week I...


….played Bitchy Bingo at Beefcakes.


Beefcakes is this awesome restaurant and bar on Cape Town’s pink strip. The décor is similar to a 50s style diner with booths and old school menu designs. There is also a lot of pink flamingos and sequined cowboy hats.

Along with Blue Eyes and Samma Designs, we headed over for some dinner and a game of bingo.

Beefcakes is famous for their burgers and some of the kinds include Buffy the Hamburger Slayer, Chilly on the Willy Burger, Slimmer Sue and the Greek God Burger. What’s even great is that you can have them in beef, chicken, lamb or ostrich. Other fabulous items on the menu include the Machos Nachos (which I completely devoured) and the Love-Me-Long-Time wrap.

Their cocktails were also amazing. I opted for my old faithful cosmopolitan which they made the way I like it, not too sweet and not too sour either. Other items I definitely want to try in the future are both the Nora Walker and Karen Walker cocktails.

Bitchy Bingo was hosted by Miss Lola Fine, a faboosh drag queen who did a roaring version of River Deep Mountain High.

For R20 you get to play four games with prizes including drinks hampers and meal vouchers. Sadly we did not win anything but we did have a fabulous time. And trust me bingo is much more entertaining when you have a female impersonator with a quick tongue and legs I’d kill for calling out the numbers.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Things I Heart...



I’ve always wondered what my favourite food is and then I stop. I don’t like to play favourites and being a Fat Kid inside means I love all food equally. One of my top five dishes however has to be nachos. No matter what, I am always in the mood for some nachos. There is the moment when the tortilla chip meets the cheese and salsa and then they bump into sour cream and guacamole and just when you think the party is complete the chicken pieces gate crash. That moment is known as perfection. In my opinion, the best nachos in Cape Town can be found at Neighbourhood, Buena Vista and Beefcakes.

Hipster Hipter. Think the name says it all.

Ugly Betty. I never stopped loving this show. But when I left mommy and daddy’s place to live in the real world i.e. my own flat I had to give up a lot of things. Satellite TV was just not conducive to my grownup budget so I’ve missed a lot of this show. Luckily thanks to some connections I’m watching again and don’t ever want to stop. I’m just about to start the final season and I am already getting saddened by the fact I won’t have Marc and Amanda in my life. Think they’re the main reason I watch the show.

My family. Even though they are crazy, loud and drink too much. If you had to compare us to anyone it’ll be the Walkers from Brothers and Sisters. Seriously, there’s drama, wine, family dinners where someone gets offended and adorable grandkids. The majority of the time they drive me crazy but once we start with the wine, everything calms down.

Bradley Cooper. Not that this one needs an explanation either. We recently watched the A-Team and my love for Mr Cooper has just been magnified. Wowza! He is definitely on my Lust Have list!

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Monday's Mantra


This week I hope work pays my expense claim.
I believe everyone should watch Mean Girls at least once in their lifetime.
I’m addicted to Adelita's Way.
I wish thinking about the gym counts as going to the gym.
It’s sucky that it's the beginning of the month and I'm broke.
Soundtrack/Mantra for the Week Like it or Not: This is Who I Am

Image from here.