As winter creeps up on us, we’re all in favour of comfort food; heartier winter meals, to help us stay warm and cosy. But for those of us who aren’t so good in the kitchen, reaching for the pre-prepared meals becomes the easy option. However, according to Granny Mouse Country House & Spa Culinary Artist, Theo Mannie, “here’s a spiced Roasted Butternut with Coconut and Coriander Soup, that’s not only easy to make, it’s amazing to enjoy on those chilly winter nights.”

Initially a reluctant chef at best, Mannie’s love for tinkering in the kitchen and playing with ingredients ignited a spark he wasn’t even aware of, and has led to a passion for all things culinary.

“I just love sharing my recipes, which are my passion, with everyone, and enjoy making them realise that cooking can be fun and enjoyable,” Mannie adds.

Give this recipe a try. We promise it’s easy and will have your family begging for more.

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions, chopped
• 1kg butternut, peeled, deseeded and cubed
• 1tsp curry powder
• 100g butter
• 2 large carrots, peeled and roughly sliced
• 1 stick of celery, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 100ml coconut cream
• 20g fresh coriander leaves
• 1½ litres of vegetable stock

Method

1. In a roasting tray, toss together the cubed butternut and the curry powder. Cover with foil and roast in the oven for 15 min at 180 degrees.
2. In the meantime, in a large enough pot, place the butter, onions and celery. Sauté on low heat for about 5 min until they become translucent but not brown. Add the garlic and carrots and continue to cook until they all become soft, about 15min.
3. Transfer the roasted butternut to the pot. Add in the stock until it just about covers the mixture.
4. Cook until the butternut is cooked all the way through. Blend in a food processor until it is smooth.
5. Return the soup to the heat. Add the coconut cream and season to taste.

Prepare in a large soup bowl, and garnish with the fresh coriander leaves, and add some fresh bread to the plate to soak up every last drop!

No stranger to the culinary stage, Granny Mouse Country House & Spa’s culinary artist Theo Mannie will once again be showcasing his culinary skills, and giving show visitors a taste of what you can expect when you visit the property, at this year’s East Coast Radio House & Garden Show.

This iconic show, now in its 35^th year, is KZN’s favourite home décor show, running from 28 June – 7 July at the Durban Exhibition Centre. A highlight on the KZN annual calendar, and home to over 500 exhibitors across a host of home décor disciplines, showcasing Durban’s top design talent, market stalls, craft food and beer and live entertainment, it’s a show not to be missed.

Your taste buds are also in for a treat with culinary delights at the Discover Durban Cuisine Kitchen, where a host of local celebrity chefs, including Granny Mouse’s Mannie, will be undertaking live cooking demonstrations that will leave you drooling.

Born in Zimbabwe, Mannie moved to England aged 13, where he completed his high school at Bexleyheath Academy, while living in Folkestone, a cute little seaside town, along the English Channel.

Initially a reluctant chef, having worked in social care, and as a club DJ, Mannie found himself drawn into the world of culinary delights, and fast found it was an undiscovered passion.

After completing his studies at Canterbury College, and gleaning plenty of invaluable experience from working in hotels, at food and music festivals, in canteens and even as a consultant assisting struggling kitchens turn their businesses around.

Truly beginning his career in 2003 as an Apprentice/Commis Chef at Bar Vasa, in the UK, Mannie worked his way up to Head Chef in 2010, later moving onto The Sandgate Hotel as their Sous Chef. Moving up the ranks, Mannie went on to work as a Development Chef for The Canteen Café, where his true passion was born, developing new dishes and creating a range a signature sources for retail distribution.

In early 2013, Mannie found the calling to come back to African soil, and spent two years working as a contract Chef, before taking on the role of Head Chef for a pub in PMB, which led him to joining the Granny Mouse team in 2017.

Catch the Granny Mouse team in action on Thursday 4 July from 13h00 – 14h00 and again from 17h00 – 18h00.