Served with grilled mushrooms and a Béarnaise sauce. The meat can either be roasted quickly in the oven, or over a hot braai. Serve with mashed, roasted or baked potatoes.

±2,2kg beef sirloin
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2T olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 240°C.
2. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and rub with oil.
3. Heat a large nonstick frying pan over a high heat. When very hot, sear the beef on all sides until browned.
4. Transfer the beef to a roasting tin. Roast, allowing 7 minutes per 500g for rare (internal temp. – 45 to 50°C), and 10 minutes per 500g for medium beef (internal temp. – 55 to 60°C).
5. Remove from the oven and allow to rest in a warm place, for at least ±10 minutes. (Or roast over hot coals on the braai for about 10 minutes on each side.)
6. Cut the meat into thick slices and serve with the grilled vegetables. Drizzle with the pan juices and serve with Béarnaise sauce.

To serve
Béarnaise sauce

Wickedfood Cooking School

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built Johannesburg cooking studios. Cookery classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our cooking lessons are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.

This Austrian specialty has a long and illustrious history. Traditionally it is made with thin slices of veal, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. It is very important to use plain breadcrumbs and not flavoured ones. If however veal is unavailable, you could use pork fillets, chicken breasts fillets or even thin slices of rump or sirloin.

6 veal schnitzels
Salt and pepper

300g flour
3 eggs, beaten
300g plain breadcrumbs

Pork fat or oil
2 lemons, cut into wedges
Parsley for garnish

1. Take the schnitzels, and with a sharp knife, cut gently across the grain, ensuring that you do not cut all the way through the meat. Lightly pound with a meat mallet to flatten evenly, then prick with a point of a knife all over and season.
2. Place the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs in three separate flat bowls.
3. When ready to fry, dip the schnitzels in batches, first into the flour, then the eggs, and last into the breadcrumbs, shaking off the excess each time.
4. Heat approximately 2cm of oil in a large pan, and once very hot, fry the schnitzels in batches, in one layer until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towel and then place on a warmed serving dish, while you fry the remainder.
5. Serve with wedges of lemon, a potato salad, creamed spinach, spicy cabbage and/or a green salad.

Serves 6

Wickedfood Cooking School

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built Johannesburg cooking studios. Cooking lessons are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our cookery classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.

Chemicals, pesticides, hormones and antibiotics are just a few of the nasty toxins we make our bodies ingest everyday through the consumption of certain meat and dairy products, vegetables and fruits. While awareness of the harmful chemicals used in the growing process of fruits and vegetables is increasing, many people remain unaware about the use of antibiotics and hormones used commonly in the production of grain fed, or feedlot meat. CADAC, Braeside Meat Market, and Wickedfood Cooking School recently joined forces with the common purpose of educating people about the truth of grain fed meat. Wickedfood Chef put together the following notes which will broaden your understanding of grain fed meat:

• Grain fed meat products have lower nutritional value than their pasture fed counterparts. Studies have in fact shown that feedlot meat often contains more total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories and less vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids than its natural grass fed counterpart.
• You may think that steak or mince looks fresh, but quite often the colour and juiciness of the meat has been enhanced with gases, water, salt, preservatives as well as other additives.
• Antibiotics are used in the growing of grain fed meat in order to prevent sickness caused by the unnatural feeding of excess amounts of grain. Unfortunately these drugs are stored in the animal’s system and are subsequently ingested into our systems when we eat the meat. This can in turn cause people to experience a resistance to common human antibiotics such as Tetracyclines.
• Hormones are commonly used in the feeding of grain fed meat as they ensure faster growth and weight gain, thus the animal can be slaughtered at a younger age which allows for a faster and more effective production line all year round.

Courtesy of Wickedfood Cooking School here are a few hints for you to follow so you can avoid grain fed beef should you wish:

• Opt for organic. The use of growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics is not allowed in certified organic meat production. Nor is feed made from animal byproducts, including meat, blood and bone meal from chickens, pigs and ruminants.
• Go for the grass. Choose beef from cattle that were 100 percent “grass-fed” or “grass-finished.” These animals are raised on their natural diet of grass from birth to market, and are not routinely given antibiotics and hormones. Look for a comprehensive grass-fed label.
• Look at labels. Check for phrases like “Naturally Raised,” “No Hormones Added,” “Raised Without Antibiotics” and “Never Fed Animal Byproducts.” Don’t be afraid to do a little detective work; these kinds of labels rely primarily on the integrity of the producers, rather than independent certifying agencies.
• Poke the package. Look for thin, flexible plastic wrap that clings to the meat. Modified atmospheric packaging, or MAP, requires meat to be wrapped in thick, gas-impervious plastic with enough head room to trap the gases that keep the meat looking fresh for an unnaturally long time.
• Deduce the date. Meat must have a “Sell by” or “Use by” date that states how long the meat is likely to remain safe to eat. But producers are not required to tell consumers when the meat was packed. Processors who use MAP avoid listing the packing date, as it would spoil the illusion of freshness. Look for meat that tells you exactly when the meat was packaged for sale.
• Buy beef and not water. It’s easy to avoid injected beef. The large print usually boasts “Extra Tender and Moist” or “Marinated for Flavour.” But the fine print of the label reveals injections of up to 30 percent of a mysterious water-and-chemical concoction.

Braeside Meat Market is a speciality butchery which focuses on quality and service.  The main stream business consists of supplying the finest quality meat to some of the leading restaurants, hotels, conference venues and caterers. Cuts of meat are prepared as needed by chefs in whatever portion size they require.  In addition to this Braeside has a small retail shop which foodies in Joburg love coming to as everything from beef, lamb and chicken to certified veal, quails, rabbits, ducks and other exotic meat is stocked.

Wickedfood Cooking School is one of the few cooking schools in the country aimed at the corporate, general public and hobby cook, dedicated to once-off classes and short courses, that is run on a professional basis, open 7 days a week. Since inception the school has been developed as a training facility that caters to the needs of all members of the community. Courses and classes have been designed to appeal to a cross-section of students, from domestics, housekeepers, newly-weds and kids, to experienced cooks and even chefs who want to improve and update their culinary skills. A wide variety of classes and courses are on offer, from basic to advanced kitchen skills, to pasta making, easy entertaining and ethnic cooking from around the world.

CADAC is passionate about the entire braaing experience, and as such is continually searching for ways in which it can be bettered – from giving advice on the selection of the perfect meat, to a range of diverse recipes with something for everyone in the new recipe book ‘The Great Outdoor Cookbook.’

South Africa’s national dish, traditionally made with beef or lamb mince and a baked custard topping. Other variants include a fish and vegetarian alternative. Interestingly this dish has its roots in Europe – think Greek moussaka. Turmeric was introduced to Europe in the middle ages by the crusaders. On the old Cape and Karoo farms, this dish was traditionally made with the leftover meats from the Sunday roast.

2 thick slices stale white bread, crusts removed
1 cup milk
Oil for frying
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 – 1T curry powder
1t turmeric
1kg lean beef or lamb mince
1/2 cup seedless raisins
1/2 cup almond nibs or slivers
1T smooth apricot jam
1T fruit chutney
2T lemon juice
Salt to season

3 large eggs
4 bay or lemon leaves

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Place the bread in a bowl, sprinkle with milk. Allow to stand for 2 to 3 minutes, then gently squeeze dry, reserving both the milk and bread in two separate bowls.
3. Heat oil in a large pot. Add the onion and fry until soft. Add the curry powder and turmeric and mix in.
4. Add the mince, raisins and almonds, and fry until the meat is lightly coloured. Remove and transfer to a large bowl.
5. To the cooked meat mix in the bread, apricot jam, chutney and lemon juice. Season to taste.
6. Place the meat mixture in a large casserole or baking dish and pack down firmly.
7. Whisk together the reserved milk with the eggs and a pinch of salt. Pour over the meat mixture, then arrange the bay/lemon leaves on top.
8. Place in a preheated oven for ±35-45 minutes or until the egg is set – do not overcook!!. Traditionally served with yellow rice and chutney.

Wickedfood Cooking School

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Boksburg – (011) 823-5365 boksburg@wickedfood.co.za

Runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.

This popular dish, with strong Chinese overtones, has a thick rich sauce, perfect with a bowl of rice. The sauce works just as well with pork or chicken.

Sauce
1 tin coconut cream (reserve 3T for the garnish, see below)
3T fish sauce
1T sugar

1T oil
2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

3-4T Massaman or yellow curry paste
±1kg sirloin or rump, sliced into ±5mm strips, across the grain
1 cup roasted peanuts, ground

Garnish
3T coconut cream (see above)
3T chopped coriander leaves

Sauce
1.    Mix together the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
2.    Heat the oil in a large wok or pan. Add the onion and pepper, and stir-fry for ±2 minutes.
3.    Add the curry paste and cook for ±1 minute.
4.    Add the beef and sauté on high, until just browned (do not overcook).
5.    Add the sauce and cook until it is thick. Add the ground peanuts and cook for 2 minutes.
To serve
6.    Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with the coconut cream and shredded coriander leaves.

Wickedfood Cooking School

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Boksburg – (011) 823-5365 boksburg@wickedfood.co.za

Runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.