Cox Yeats Attorneys have been loyal clients since Olive Twist first started.  They have stunning office premises on Umhlanga Ridge and do not just pay lip service to the notion of staff wellbeing.  We were delighted when Anne Hunt asked us to cater an informal staff braai at their new outside entertainment area. What a perfect way to end a Friday with the smell of sizzling steaks and the most picturesque Durban view.  Everybody raved about our Green Bean and Spinach Salad, which is so simple to make, we thought we would share it with you:

What you will need:

1. Green beans (blanched in cold water) – 500g

2.Cucumber (ribbons) – 2 whole cucumbers

3.Baby spinach – 4 punnets

4.Mint -1 bunch

5.Danish feta (crumbled)

6.Pumpkin and sunflower seeds (toasted)

7. Almond shavings (toasted)

8. Olive oil

9. Lemon vinaigrette

Toss all together for a delicious accompaniment to any braai.

Us Durbanites have a habit of leaving things to the last minute…so don’t forget the July is coming up and if you would like Olive Twist to take care of your catering give us a call and don’t delay.

The theme this year is “A Material World”

A MATERIAL WORLD?

Seven billion people, the latest count.
Concern for the planet, the energies mount.

This event is red, that’s for sure.
But support for green, is part of the cure.

Spare a thought, for Mother Earth.
Need to save her, for all we’re worth.

Sustainably harvested, natural, organic.
Alternative fibres, no time for panic.

All these words, what do they mean?
For a start, change your routine.

Reduce, respect, reconstruct, ‘My Dear’.
Recycle, repair, rethink, ‘Monsieur’.

Show support, through what you wear.
Or what it’s made of, concern with flair.

Glitz and sparkle, are definitely in.
The overall impression, is what will win.

So for this day – Love red! Think green.
Your earth-friendly ensemble, will steal the scene!

The Vodacom Durban July
Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event

Olive twist has just recently moved premises to 65 St Andrews Drive (Durban North), it is lot more spacious and we are really keen on using the large patio area to do client tastings and also some pop up dinners where we try out some new menu ideas (so watch this space!)

With all the spring cleaning that comes with moving I was particularly taken with this link on design sponge:http://www.designsponge.com/2012/05/small-measures-homemade-spring-cleaning-products.html

As I approach my last trimester of my pregnancy I am discovering a love for all things sweet! It was this time last year that my husband and I were in Italy and I have been feeling particularly nostalgic for these delicious pastries called “Cornetti” which I enjoyed every morning with my coffee.

This is a bit of a cheat recipe to make these little morsels of heaven when you are in a desperate need to get your chocolate fix.

What you will need:

1. Lindt Chocolate
2. Puff Pastry (store bought for convenience)
3. Apricot Jam
4. Chocolate Spread
5. Salted Butter (for glazing)

Method: Roll puff pastry, cut into squares and then cut them diagonally. Brush squares with choc spread and add choc pieces on the corners of the pastry squares. Roll point to point so that pastry looks like mini croissants. Brush with melted jam and butter . Chuck into oven for 15-20mins until golden brown (underneath) at 180c and eat with your big cup of café latte.

Olive Twist is a family-run business created by Ros Ivey and her brother Richard Hacker. Their passion for food has inspired them to do what they love and the company is known for going above and beyond in the creation of gourmet masterpieces. This blog allows the Olive Twist team to share what makes them tick, what’s seasonal, what’s happening in Durban and to get you as the reader inspired to cook and entertain more! We can’t all be chefs but entertaining friends and family is definitely one of the great joys in life.

Thank you for visiting.

Olive Twist is often asked to do dessert buffets at weddings to match the theme and colour scheme so I was thrilled to see Amy Atlas has a new book called “Sweet Designs” which you can buy from Kalahari.com for R277.95  Such inspiring visual delights really get my creative juices flowing.

http://www.kalahari.com/page_templates/searchresults.aspx?shop=home&navigationid=1&searchText=Amy+Atlas+sweet+designs