Malva Pudding - South African

Growing up in South Africa, I was able to not only continue to enjoy my Portuguese heritage through the meals we ate at home, but also be privy to the wonderful South African food.  Things like Koeksisters, Vetkoek, Mince Roll, Melktert and the amazing Malva Pudding.

I actually took Home Economics in school and I remember making it as one of our projects.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Home Ec. was my favorite subject in school, do I?  Especially when it was cooking day.

Anyway, I thought I had shared this recipe with you all, but after looking through the blog this morning, I noticed that I hadn't, and the last time I actually made the Malva Pudding was back in 2014.  Wow, that needs to be remedied and fast.  I think I will make one this weekend.

Malva Pudding

Source:  Rhodes

Sauce

1½ Cups cream
½ Cup butter, cut into blocks
¾ Cups + 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon Rhodes Apricot Jam (Just use whatever apricot jam you have on hand)

Batter

2 Tablespoons butter
⅓ Cup + 4 teaspoons dark brown sugar
3 Tablespoons Rhodes Apricot Jam
1 egg
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
½ Cup of milk
1 Cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
4 teaspoon vinegar

Serve with custard, cream or ice cream.


Place the cream, butter, sugar, salt and Apricot Jam in a medium saucepan, stirring continually over a high heat, bring the sauce to the boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer for two minutes.
Remove from the heat and keep warm.


Cream the butter and the sugar together until the butter is pale and soft.  Beat in the Apricot Jam, beat in the egg.  Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda into the milk.

Sift the flour and the salt together and add to the batter, alternating with the milk.  Beat in the vinegar.
Spoon the batter into an ovenproof pudding bowl that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Pour half of the sauce over the batter.

Bake the Malva Pudding in an oven preheated to 350º F,  for 40 minutes or until risen and golden.
Remove from the oven and pour over the remaining sauce a little at a time until all the sauce is absorbed by the hot pudding.

Serve hot with custard, cream or ice cream.

Navajo Tacos

Navajo Tacos, Indian Fry Bread, Indian Tacos, pretty much the same thing.  If you have never heard of Navajo Tacos, let me tell you a little about them.

Navajo Tacos were invented in 1864, using flour, sugar, salt and lard.  The Navajo tribe had been given these ingredients by the US Government, when they were forced to leave their land and make the 300 mile "Long Walk" to New Mexico.  Often times, the food ingredients supplied by the government were rancid, and so the tacos came about using just the simplest of ingredients available to the tribe.

The way that the frybread is served, depends on the region and even the tribe, but it's beginning take place during the 4 years of captivity the Navajo suffered.  So to the, Frybread is not just a meal, it is a memory of a painful and sad time for their ancestors.

The closest thing to a frybread that I'm familiar with, are the Vetkoek which we had back in South Africa, which is either served with some delicious savory curried ground beef, or filled jam.

 

I actually just realized that I haven't yet shared the Vetkoek recipe with you all, so that needs to happen soon.

Anyway, back to the Navajo Tacos.  My family loves tacos and usually we stick with the crunchy tortilla type, but once in a while, I prefer to take some time and make some Navajo Tacos, they truly do hit the spot.

Navajo Tacos

2 cups of flour
2 and half teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
Oil for frying

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
Cumin, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili flakes (to taste)
Can of Bush's Southwestern Style Pinto Beans

Shredded cheese
Diced tomatoes
Shredded lettuce
Sour Cream


In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and warm water.  Mix well until a soft dough is achieved.  You can knead for a few minutes, or pop it in your stand mixer and beat for about 4 minutes or so.  Cover with a kitchen towel and let sit for 20 minutes.

In a skillet, fry the ground beef until browned, add the onion and cook until translucent, add the spices to taste and cook for a few minutes more.  Add in the Southwestern Style Pinto Beans, don't drain.  Mix well and let simmer for 5 minutes.  Set aside.

In a small skillet, add oil for frying.  You don't need a lot, I usually add about 2 inches of oil, I just don't like drowning my food in excessive amounts of oil.  Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, roll into a ball and then flatten to a disc that is about 6 inches wide.

Fry each one for a minute or so until golden brown, then flip over and cook the other side until golden brown as well.  Drain on paper towels.

To serve, spoon meat mixture onto each disc, add the toppings to your liking.