For those who want to seriously pull out all the stops this Valentine’s Day, the obvious choice would be that of a special treat of a romantic dinner against a backdrop of true country charm and luxury at Granny Mouse.

Granny Mouse’s Eaves Restaurant is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in the Midlands and their culinary artists, have conjured up a degustation romantically inspired menu especially for Valentine’s Day.

Sensual starters include textures of cauliflower (roasted, pickled, marinated and pureed served with toasted walnuts and pear) – lovingly paired with Rijks Touch of Oak Chenin Blanc).

Up next features fruits of the sea (squid ink risotto, calamari tentacles, mussels and prawns cooked in a tomato and herb sauce accompanied by Theleme Sauvignon Blanc). The vegetarian option is beetroot salad with goat’s cheese (orange, cucumber, radish, cashew and rosemary oil dressing).

The third course is a tenderly prepared seared duck breast (barbeque duck legs, caramelised red cabbage, puree of poached herb onions, red wine and thyme jus) paired with Paul Cluver Pinot Noir. Non meat eaters can enjoy heirloom tomatoes (baby bocconcini, rocket, micro greens, herb dust and balsamic dressing).

A flavoured palate cleanser will follow the above before tucking into the fourth course of a beef fillet (beetroot fondant, blue cheese mousse, slow roast rainbow tomato, cumin roasted carrots and jus preferably served medium) – with Warwick First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon. The vegetarian substitute features green beans with feta (smoked pela pepa fritters, garlic saute peas, mint, micro greens and basil pesto.)

The definitive end to this fine romantic dinner is ruby raspberry mousse (featuring salted candied milk chocolate, spiced chocolate sponge, tempered ruby chocolate and raspberry gastique accompanied with a tantalisingly Rustenberg Straw wine.

The tasting menu is just R480 per person or R700 per person inclusive of wine.

For more information or to book your Valentine’s dinner in the beautiful Midlands, contact Granny Mouse on 033 234 4071 or visit www.grannymouse.co.za

Valentines 5 Course Menu 2020
Valentines 5 Course Vegetable Menu 2020

With summer here and the beautiful countryside full of flowers and beautiful green foliage, it’s time to grab a blanket and a basket of yummy treats and head out for a picnic.

Whether you’re planning a romantic gathering or a family adventure that is perfect for youngsters to blow off all that extra holiday energy, picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors. They’re certainly the perfect excuse to enjoy our beautiful climate and surrounds – especially because most of us spend a great deal of time in offices and classrooms.

According to the team of culinary gurus at Granny Mouse, picnics have come a long way since the days of the so-called ‘picque-nique’ in 17^th Century France. Outdoor gatherings like this found their way to England when the French aristocracy fled the French Industrial revolution and became a perfect fit with one of England’s best known culinary traditions – the good old sandwich.

However, unless you’re able to dream up some exotic fillings, your outdoor picnic should be less like a lunchbox and more about delicious bites that are reminiscent of tapas.

The idea behind this form of al fresco dining is to make sure that the delicious goodies that make up your picnic spread are finger friendly and easy to nibble as well as fun and unexpected.

These days you can find beautiful baskets or picnic bags that double up as cooler bags so there’s no excuse for wilted lettuce and sad salads.

With a little imagination, you can pass on the standard sausage rolls, samoosa’s and crisps and put together an imaginative and even healthy offering for all.

Here are some ideas from Granny Mouse’s culinary artists:

• Create various salads in individual jars. Our ideas include a cous cous, feta and beetroot salad with sprouts and a layered Greek salad.
• Desserts in jars – the same applies and this is a great way to serve a deconstructed blueberry cheesecake or a trifle.
• Find some exotic breads and cut them into bread sticks. Our team serves these with a basil pesto dip. Cheese and onion bread fingers can be combined with a spicy mayo dip.
• Skewers – these are perfect for sweet and savoury. Try melon, prosciutto and mozzarella balls with a balsamic reduction or tomato, basil and feta.
• Mini quiches – biltong, butternut and feta or tomato chutney and balsamic caramelised onion.
• Mini Prego rolls.
• Bite size doughnut balls with a chocolate dipping sauce.
• Crepes filled with a variety of fruit and custard