The Roasted Dad’s Recipes
I am an entrepreneur based in Cape Town, South Africa. After the Covid-19 lockdown saw my business in financial distress, cooking was the creative outlet that helped to keep me sane. To keep track of my recipes, and encourage friends and families to join me, I started my instagram account The Roasted Dad.
Fast-forward to late 2021 - on a whim I (encouraged by my wife) enter MasterChef South Africa. It is a crazy time of life: running a 200 people business and struggling to keep it profitable, two small children with a third on the way, and about to move into a new house. But when I get selected to be one of the 20 contestants participating in the fourth season of MasterChef South Africa, I decide to go all in. Leaving my 7-month-pregnant wife to look after our then three and one-year-old children, I battled it out and came back home five weeks later with the trophy and a million rand prize money in my pocket.
It all started with an Instagram account, and then entering -and winning- MasterChef. But The Roasted Dad is so much more now. I now host Private Dinner Parties, Restaurant Take-Overs and Pop-Ups and Cook-with-Me Demos, and am a Key Note Speaker at events. I share recipes on my website and regularly post accommodation and restaurant reviews too. This is a glimpse into the wild and wonderful life I lead with my wife Lianne, and our three children Aiden (8), Olivia (6) and Harvey (4).
After winning MasterChef South Africa, I started sharing recipes on this blog. They are easy to produce at home, using basic cooking techniques with ingredients found at your local grocery store.
Recipe Index
Salad Recipes
Red Meat Recipes
Poultry Recipes
Seafood Recipes
Vegetarian Recipes
Dessert Recipes
A South African Inspired Paella
If you have followed me since I won MasterChef South Africa in 2022, you will know that I like to do things a little different. I love a Spanish paella, but what would it be to cook it South African style? I decided to cook one on a skottel braai, and it was delicious! Try this recipe.
Parmesan & Hellmann’s Mayo Air Fryer Chicken
This Parmesan Mayonnaise Chicken recipe will become an instant favourite for both family dinners and gatherings with friends.
Baked Camembert Starter
This is a great simple, quick and no fuss starter for a cold winter’s evening! Enjoy this baked camembert as a starter or mid-afternoon snack. You can prepare everything before your guests arrive, and just bake it in the oven in 15 minutes when you are getting peckish.
The Best Authentic Marie Biscuit Fudge Recipe
Nostalgic sweet treats and my childhood are linked to the church bizaar favourite, Marie Biscuit fudge. I grew up making these for church sales, school bake sales and later I even had my first enterprise selling them for R1 a packet to all the local neighbours. To bring back my awesome memories of my first entrepreneurial endeavours we got Aiden setup at our local market! This Marie biscuit fudge recipe is based on my childhood one, with a few tweaks I made ahead of the market.
Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
While it should be no surprise that I am the cook of the Roasted family, few of you will know that The Roasted Mom is the baker. She’s been making this traditional Dutch apple pie for me since we first got together fourteen years ago, and the Cape Town weather this week sure called for a slice of hot Dutch apple pie!
Oxtail and Mexican Bean Soup with Fresh Avo and Coriander
This cold, rainy Cape Town weather asks for a soup! Tired of the usual tomato or chicken soup, I decided to make a different kind. It’s hearty and delicious, and pairs really well with some avocado (strange, I know) and coriander.
Berry Compote Recipe
I first tried out this Berry Compote recipe when I had a Mother’s Day themed cook-with-me demo coming up, at Makerslanding by the V&A Waterfront. I wanted to add a slightly sour element to the dish, to prevent it from being too sweet as I was going to serve the flapjacks with my childhood favourite peanut brittle as well!
Grilled Wok Cucumber, Kingklip and Halloumi Salad
When Pick n Pay sent me these wok cucumbers, my first reaction was “What the wok?”
But after working with this beautiful ingredient I am hooked. Use the cucumber as a replacement for marrows and in stir fry, it’s divine!
Parmesan and Dukkah Angelfish with Sumac and Labneh Potatoes
I recently made this fish dish live on the Expresso Morning Show (‘you’re feel-good breakfast show’), which was a lot more difficult than cooking in the comfort of my home, let me tell you! Try out the recipe at home…
Lamb Chops with Mango Atchar, Sweet Leeks and Chimichurri
I recently made this fish dish live on the Expresso Morning Show (‘you’re feel-good breakfast show’), which was a lot more difficult than cooking in the comfort of my home, let me tell you! Try out the recipe at home…
Green & Gold Rugby Pull Bread
With the onset of the rugby season you may be looking for some new snacks and braai sides. I created a few during the Rugby World Cup and will share them over the next few weeks. Starting off with this quick and easy pull bread recipe.
Parmesan chargrilled Corn on the Cob
My second time on “Your Feel Good Morning Show" was a lot less nerve wracking than the first time I was a guest on the Expresso show. I knew what to expect this time. This is the recipe for the Parmesan chargrilled Corn on the Cob I made on the show.
Grilled Lamb Skewers with Garlic Naan and Whipped Feta
My second time on “Your Feel Good Morning Show" was a lot less nerve wracking than the first time I was a guest on the Expresso show. I knew what to expect this time. This is the recipe for the grilled lamb dish I made on the show.
Stone-Ground Pizza with Blistered Tomatoes, Parma Ham, Basil and Mozzarella
I recently made this pizza live on the Expresso Morning Show (‘you’re feel-good breakfast show’), which was a lot more difficult than cooking in the comfort of my home, let me tell you! Pizza is always a win though, and the smells that went through the tv studio was making everyone’s mouth water. Try out the recipe at home…
Easy and Healthy, Kid-Friendly Breakfast Recipe
This super simple egg wrap recipe is made with chorizo, mushrooms, cheese and beetroot wraps in a muffin tray. After just a few minutes in the oven, you have an impressive-looking and delicious tasting healthy breakfast option that everyone in the family will love!
Caveman Style Open Fire Lamb Roast Recipe
For this recipe, I embraced my inner caveman by cooking a leg of lamb above an open fire. Try it yourself at home!
Cape Malay Prawn Lentil Dahl Recipe
Indulge in the rich flavors of Cape Malay cuisine with this easy but delicious Prawn Lentil Dahl recipe. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, the recipe combines basic ingredients such as lentils, and traditional Cape Malay spices, with prawns, elevating it to impress your dinner party guests! This dish will tantalise your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of Cape Town.
Pear & Brie Cheese Pastry Square Recipe
This Pear & Brie Cheese Pastry Square recipe is easy. delicious, crunchy! A crowd pleaser that can be put together in less than an hour.
Yellowfin Tuna Steak Recipe
Conceptualised by MasterChef winner Shawn Godfrey, this Yellowfin Tuna Steaks recipe will impress your guests! Perfect for seafood lovers looking to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
This Tuna Steak recipe contain a fusion Asian-inspired ingredients and is accompanied by a tantalizing medley of wok cucumbers, curry tofu, crisp radish, and toasted almonds.
Squid ink spaghetti with asparagus and a tomato and aubergine sauce
With spaghetti, we struggle to think outside of the box - but after trying this Squid Ink Spaghetti recipe you'll wonder why! Simple but delicious, you should really give it a try!
I always have fresh mint in my fridge. Delicious in a gin and tonic on a hot summer afternoon, I also enjoy adding it to salads, sauces and even desserts. When I have a large punnet of mint, this salad recipe is my go-to.