"Sea Cockroaches Rock, Dad."

Hi All

It was back in February this year that Rhys and I had a little break down on the south coast at our villas at San Lameer. The best place in the world to take a holiday. Anyway the one night the two of us decided to go and take in a movie at Shelly Center. I think we watched the Fantastic Four.

After the movie we decided to have dinner at John Dory's, Rhys wanted a little steak and I decided what the hell we are at the coast, let me have some fresh seafood. Prawns was the verdict. When the food arrived Rhys was amazed to see these things with heads and legs, feelers and all. He asked me what they where and I said "they are called prawns my boy, but I call them sea cockroaches Rhys."

"Sea cockroaches, yuk Dad." After explaining that they weren't really cockroaches, he asked if he could try one. The end result, "sea cockroaches rock, Dad" and Rhys has been hooked since. This story brings us to the lazy Sunday we had as a Family at home yesterday. A day next to the pool, not a cloud in the sky, not a breathe of wind around and a few afternoon coolers to make it the perfect ending to a great weekend.

We feasted on a late lunch of Lemon and herb grilled prawns and Grilled Sirloin in a sweet and sour soy sauce all done on a gas BBQ. It's tough in Africa, I might let you know.

The marinade recipe I will get to you later but for now I am going to let you in on my way of doing an afternoon tea SHAKE-UP.

I also found this great, simply recipe on the back of a buttermilk carton( I drink the stuff neat but if you like you can put a teaspoon or two of honey into the buttermilk, also very lekker(nice) with muesli.)

So try out these refreshing drinks when you get a chance and let me know how you like them.

EARL GREY MARTINI

Ingredients:

30ml Gin
30ml Earl Grey Tea
20ml fresh lemon juice
12.5ml sugar syrup

Method:

Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with a slice of lemon or lemon zest.

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA

Ingredients:

12.5ml Gin

12.5ml Vodka

12.5ml Bacardi White Rum

12.5ml Tequila

12.5ml Triple Sec

12.5ml sugar syrup

25ml fresh lemon juice

Method:

Shake and strain into a martique glass full of ice.

Top with cola.

Add a slice of lime and garnish with a slice of lemon and serve with straws

DARK CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

Ingredients:

240g (2 cups) flour

125g reduced salt butter

125ml hot water to which 5ml instant coffee is added

250ml buttermilk

5ml baking powder

2 eggs

5ml vanilla essence

180g Castor sugar

60g cocoa

5ml bicarbonate of soda

1ml cream of tartar

1ml salt

Mix cocoa and coffee mixture together.

Cream butter and Castor sugar in mixing bowl.

Add eggs one by one, beat well each time.

Add cocoa mixture.

Pour buttermilk on bicarbonate of soda and stir well.

Sift flour, salt, baking powder and cream of tartar.

Stir in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk.

Lastly add vanilla.

Pour mixture into 2 greased sandwich cake tins and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 20 to 25 minutes or until firm to touch.

HAVE A GOOD ONE.