- Celebrity chefs and authors The Lazy Makoti and J'Something will join forces to curate a new cookbook.
- Local flavours will inspire the book.
- It will also contain recipes developed by South African home chefs.
After appearing alongside each other on the first episode of The Masked Singer South Africa, celebrity chefs and authors The Lazy Makoti and J'Something will collaborate on a cookbook.
Amarula Cream Liqueur will sponsor the book, and it aims to celebrate the unique tastes of the country through the creativity of home chefs.
Recipe curation
Instead of developing recipes as they did with their respective books, the Lazy Makoti (Mogau Seshoene) and J'Something (Joao da Fonseca) will curate a selection of recipes submitted by home chefs from South Africa.
Amarula will collate the recipes to make up The Great Marula Menu cookbook.
"Everyone is encouraged to send their unique recipe that includes either a dash or a good measuring of Amarula Cream Liqueur, whether in a dessert, main meal, or cocktail," the brand said.
According to the brand, the chefs will review these self-expression recipes using any Amarula Cream Liqueur flavours to select which home chefs' recipes will be published in the book and named after the creator.
Listen up, #RulaNation! Our foodie curators @thelazymakoti and @jsomethingmusic can’t wait to taste-test your original Amarula-infused recipe. It could make the pages of our cookbook #TheGreatMarulaMenu – get cooking! Submit your recipe today! https://t.co/42gEUM0Onw ???? pic.twitter.com/M0JNluYNMK
— Amarula (@amarula) May 24, 2023
The successful home chefs will each receive a hamper and be invited to the banquet hosted by Amarula to launch the book featuring their unique recipes.
An espresso martini with a twist
J'something rose to prominence as a member of the band Mi Casa, formed in 2011.
A few years later, he began his journey as a celebrity chef, revealing that his family had always worked in the food service industry. He worked on several limited collaborations with various brands and went on to launch his cooking show on YouTube.
Earlier this year, he launched his restaurant, Artistry in the heart of Sandton, which he calls "an all-in-one spot for entertainment, where people can come together to inspire and share their talents."
READ MORE | J'Something and wife Cordelia celebrate 10 years together
In addition to serving some delicious meals, the restaurant serves as an event space and performance venue.
The menu features simple, hearty dishes with a spicy twist. As a fan of spice and heat, J'Something developed the Amarula Espresso Martini with a Pele-Pele twist to mark the occasion of his collaboration with The Lazy Makoti.
Ingredients:
- 6 tbsp (90ml) Amarula Cream Liqueur
- ½ cup (120ml) espresso
- 4tbsp(60ml) Vodka 4 tsp (10ml) chili syrup
- Dark chocolate, grated
- 1 cup (250ml) water
- 1 cup + 3 tbsp (250g) granulated sugar
- 1 or 2 bird's eye chillies (Pele Pele)
Method:
To make the chilli syrup, heat water in a pan, stir in the sugar, and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Cool the syrup, then stir in the chillies. Transfer to a blender and blend for 5 seconds. Strain the syrup, bottle it, and refrigerate.
To make the espresso martini:
- Pull a fresh double espresso and pour it into a cocktail shaker.
- Add the remaining ingredients and shake with cubed ice for about 10 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass (no ice) and garnish with grated dark chocolate.