Sunday lunch with a Naked Mexican on the lawn

Having detected an infestation of waxy scale on the kumquats I decided to harvest all the Kumquats. I started picking off the waxy scale by hand. Scale insects on plants are very difficult to control with eco-friendly or commercial insecticide.

After picking off the scale I washed the branches down with a strong jet of water hoping to kill the young scale that is not visible to the naked eye.

Kumquat harvest

We harvested a bed of carrots that were showing signs of going to seed and I wanted to pre-empt that. So with a full harvest of carrots and kumquats I decided to make juice out of them. I love carrot juice and the addition of kumquats to the mix resulted in a very tart citrusy juice.

When one eats a kumquat, the sweetness of the skin is your first sensation which quickly gets replaced by the sour flesh as you bite into the tiny fruit. The extracted juice gives you all the sensation at the same time.

Organic kumquat and carrot juice

For breakfast I decided to enjoy some organic kumquat and carrot juice, bottle the rest and take it to Cape Town for enjoying during the week.

Bottles of juice for Cape Town

The amazing wind free day was perfect for lunch on the lawn. I decided to make some roasted lamb wraps with fresh lettuce and guacamole and enjoy it with some craft beer. Craft beer has become quite an industry in the Western Cape and Capetonians are spoiled for choice.

Roasted lamb wraps

Craft beer is made using traditional brewing methods, which results in distinctive flavour profiles. Cape Town’s craft beers apparently contain 100% natural ingredients and no additives, preservatives, thickeners or stabilisers.

The empty site where “Die Dros” restaurant used to be in Robertson is being cleared for a micro-brewery according to staff at a local wine shop.

The Naked Mexican

To stay abreast of culinary trends I have decided to investigate the allure of craft beer and decided to have a Naked Mexican for lunch. A beer from Boston Brewery in Cape Town, I found the light-coloured beer refreshing, not too bitter and surprisingly fruity. It is a nice beer for hot summer days and if you would like a change from a cold Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay with your lunch.

First picking of strawberries

Dessert was freshly picked strawberries drizzled with near frozen Limoncello. After a busy Saturday, I could just relax taking in the beauty of the garden in the flower beds and on my plate.