South African Food - Malva Pudding

We have very close to South Africa. My husband is a born and bred Saffa and a lot of his family and friends are still out there. We’re lucky enough though to get many visits from them all. The boys as yet haven’t visited daddy’s country and I cannot wait for the chance to take them over and show the sheer beauty of the country.

Our own little favourite part is the Drakensburg Mountains with its beautiful peaks and views, which also happens to be the basis for Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. We spent our honeymoon here and it’s the first place we head to when we land. Of course the Drakensburg (dragons mountains) also encloses Lesotho – a unique principality bordered by these beautiful peaks.

One of the many things I miss from this stunning country is the food. From the bobotie to the potjie (a cauldron cooked over a fire) to the historical bunny chow – a loaf hollowed out and filled with curry – used when during the apartheid regime as a way around the workers not being allowed to use cutlery. It is still incredibly popular today and if you visit its worth a special trip to just try one.

Of course the main reason for the post is to introduce you to their amazing desserts. From KoekSisters (the best doughnuts ever) to Milk Tarte a firm favourite of ours is the gorgeous Malva Pudding. Rich and easy to make it’s the perfect recipe all year round to serve. Its also great with gluten free flour!

Malva Pudding

6 1/2 ounces sugar (3/4 cup, 200 ml, or 180 g)

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon apricot jam

5 ounces gluten free self-raising flour (150 g)

1 tablespoon butter (a generous tablespoon)

1 teaspoon vinegar

1/3 cup milk

Sauce

3/4 cup fresh cream (200 ml)

3 1/2 ounces butter (100 g)

3 -5 ounces sugar (90 - 150 g)

1/3 cup hot water (90 ml)

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 deg F/180 deg Celsius.



Grease an oven dish. I used a 7 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch Pyrex dish. (18 x 18 x 4 1/2 cm) Beat or whip the sugar and eggs. It's quickest in a food processor, or use electric beaters. Beat until thick and lemon coloured, then add the jelly (jam) and mix through. Melt the butter (don't boil) and add the butter and vinegar to the wet mixture. Sieve the flour and add this with the milk to the egg mixture in the processor or mixing bowl. Beat well. Pour into an oven-proof dish and bake until pudding is brown and well-risen -- depending on your oven and oven dish this will be between 30 - 45 minutes. In a pot, melt together the ingredients for the sauce, and stir well. Pour it over the pudding as soon as it comes out of the oven.

If you’re looking for a country to visit next year this by far is a firm favourite of ours. Aside from the beautiful weather South Africa is a perfect holiday destination which has a little of everything to offer you. It’s a country which needs to be explored!