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.

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Recipe Index

Seafood

Poultry

Steak

Pork

Lamb

Duck

Turkey

Vegetarian

Salad Recipes

Featured

Citrus, feta, mint & seed salad

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.

Plum, Beetroot & Blue Cheese Salad

This Beetroot, Granny Smith apple and plum salad with a creamy blue cheese, toasted walnut and an orange and balsamic dressing has rich earthy notes mixed with sweet and tangy apple.

Exotic Pumpkin & Butternut Salad on Whipped Feta

Easter is traditionally when South Africans serve up a leg of lamb or lamb roast, but a good host includes some vegetarian dishes as well, to serve as either a side for the meat-eaters in your midst, or for vegetarians to dish up as their main.

Beetroot Salad with Whipped Feta, Bacon, Roasted Olives and Toasted Pecan Nuts

With December here, Christmas is fast approaching and so over the next few weeks I will be sharing my favourite Christmas recipes. This Beetroot Salad with Whipped Feta, Bacon, Roasted Olives and Toasted Pecan Nuts is a crowd pleaser. To make a vegetarian version, you can replace the bacon with citrus slices.

Blistered Tomatoes, Bocconcini, and Basil Leaf Salad

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: sometimes it’s the simplest salad that’s the biggest hit on the menu.

Blistered tomatoes, bocconcini, basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and of course salt and ground pepper.

The recipe is simple, and if you’re looking for step-by-step, this is it!

Fennel and Apple Salad Recipe

As South Africans we often tend to make the same old salad to accompany our braai meat: it includes lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber. And if we want to get fancy, we add feta. Or olives. Or feta and olives - shoo, then we have really made it a bougie salad. But what if I told you, it could be so much better? A good salad can be eaten as a meal.

A Healthy Alternative to a regular Potato Salad Recipe

South Africans love to have a potato salad with a braai but this often doesn’t always help our weight loss plans going into summer. This healthy alternative to the regular potato salad will reduce your calorie intake yet still makes a delicious side dish to serve alongside your chops at your next braai! Have a look at the recipe

Grapefruit and Sweet Piquanté Pepper Salsa with a Rump Steak

I love a good steak, and often make a chimichurri to go with it. But this time I decided to make a salsa with the rump steak. Find the recipe on my blog make this at home!

Duck Leg Confit Recipe

Many people are not confident cooking duck. If you don’t know how to prepare it properly, duck leg can be tough or even dry. But when cooked well, it is delicious.

I love the recipe as you get an amazing result without the feeling of excessive cooking times. It is a bit of a cheat confit in terms of time.

Red Meat Recipes

Featured

Five tips to make the perfect medium-rare rump steak

A 28-day aged rump steak is delicious, when cooked well. But many people don’t know how to cook a good steak. If you want to make a great medium-rare rump steak, follow these steps to get it cooked to perfection.

T-Bone Steak Sandwich

I made this steak sandwich the other day and whilst easy to put together, the flavours are out of this world. Adding a mouth watering steak to a sandwich is always a good idea, but in this case I elevated it by using a T-Bone. The combination of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and French mustard is to die for and to use both pickled onions and ‘normal’ onions, your steak sandwich gets an extra punch! Adding some honey for sweetness and truffle oil to really impress your guests and you have a steak sandwich that’s come down straight from heaven. Try make it yourself and tell me if I’m wrong, but I’m definitely making this one again!

How to Cook Ostrich Steak to Perfect Medium-Rare

My wife Lianne (The Roasted Mom) asked me to teach her how to make a juicy, ostrich steak, cooked perfectly to medium-rare. This easy but delicious recipe is easy-to-make and can be done in just 20 minutes.

Grapefruit and Sweet Piquanté Pepper Salsa with a Rump Steak

I love a good steak, and often make a chimichurri to go with it. But this time I decided to make a salsa with the rump steak. Find the recipe on my blog make this at home!

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

After travelling to Florence I have dreams of the amazing florentine steak! Here are some of the secrets to cooking the perfect Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the renowned Florentine steak. Brace yourself for an explosion of flavour!

Poultry Recipes

Featured

Spicy Chicken Wings served on a peach, avo, mint and basil salsa

Braaied first, and then marinaded in a potjie. This is a winning method to get both smokey flavours and tender fall-off-the bone hot wings. With a fresh peach salsa, you can balance out the spice with some sweet flavours. This was a winning combination.

Whole chicken on the braai and in the oven

In this recipe, I give away my secrets making a delicious whole chicken on the braai. My top tip is to cook the chicken on a fire, to get the skin crispy and full of smoky flavour, but to finish it off in the oven on a low heat, so that the meat becomes succulent and doesn’t dry out.

Creamy chicken, mushroom and biltong pasta

For the Pick n Pay ASAP Live! event I created two recipes. This creamy chicken, biltong and steak pasta is a delicious mid-week meal.

Slow-cooked fall-off-the bone Turkey

Throw away any other turkey recipe you have and use this one. It’s fail proof!

Fennel and Apple Salad Recipe

Chicken, Cauliflower and Aubergine Noodle Recipe

If you need to make a quick supper as the kids are driving you up the wall, the clock is ticking and you have no energy to get all fancy, then you should really give this leftover chicken recipe a go!

Duck Leg Confit Recipe

Many people are not confident cooking duck. If you don’t know how to prepare it properly, duck leg can be tough or even dry. But when cooked well, it is delicious.

I love the recipe as you get an amazing result without the feeling of excessive cooking times. It is a bit of a cheat confit in terms of time.

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.

Step-by-step instructions on how to cook a restaurant-quality meal with duck breast

Duck is something most people only eat when they have ordered it in a restaurant. Few people know how to cook duck. If not done well, duck can be tough or even dry. But when cooked well, it is delicious. This recipe has the step-by-step instructions that you may need to get a well-cooked duck without fuss.

Seafood Recipes

Featured

Make a warm pickled fish salad this Easter

There is nothing more satisfying than a healthy and delicious salad with complex flavours. With Easter approaching a beautiful tradition of pickled fish has a long standing heritage in the Western Cape. Try this tasty but also easy salad.

Smoked snoek on the braai with plum jam and grilled peaches

Because snoek is quite an oily and salty fish, it is often paired with apricot jam as the salty/sweet combination goes well together. To change it up a bit, I made a plum jam and served my snoek with grilled peaches and it was delicious. Try it for yourself, and let me know what you think.

Boerewors & Seafood Paella Recipe

This Boerewors & Seafood Paella Recipe is a crowd-pleaser. If you have friends coming around for a braai, why not make this instead? Everyone can contribute a few ingredients, and it’s easy enough to prepare while catching up. Instead of chorizo, I added boerewors to this paella, and with some Cape Malay spices, it became a true South African-inspired dish. Try the recipe.

A South African Inspired Paella

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!

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.

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.

Easy-to-make Festive Christmas Canapés

Christmas in the southern hemisphere means that it’s likely to be a hot day. If you want to make an Alfresco lunch, these canapés make a nice light starter. With the colours reminiscent of Christmas, you will impress your dinner guests with the fine dining-style plating, yet actually it’s a simple dish that anyone can make.

Vegetarian Recipes

Featured

Yummy South African pap (maize meal) arancini recipe

Pap (or maize) arancini is a South African variation of the Italian dish. Swopping traditional risotto for the with stywe pap (stiff maize porridge), the balls are oven-baked. Served on a tomato base and covered with cheese, this dish pairs well with boerewors.

Vegetarian Samp, Bean and Creamed Butternut Potjie with Grilled Halloumi

This Samp, Bean and Creamed Butternut Potjie served with grilled Halloumi was a winner. Try the recipe and make your own.

Exotic Pumpkin & Butternut Salad on Whipped Feta

Beetroot Salad with Whipped Feta, Bacon, Roasted Olives and Toasted Pecan Nuts

How to make your own homemade Vegetarian Ravioli

Ravioli is a firm favourite in our family as you can fill these little pockets with whatever your heart desires. For this dish, we embraced meatless Monday and made them vegetarian!

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.

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!

A different way to serve an Asparagus Side

Generally asparagus are pan-fried with a little olive oil, and some salt and pepper. But if you’re wanting to serve up a more exciting asparagus side, look no further! This recipe includes some exotic ingredients which come together in a flavour combination that no one will be able to resist. Sometimes a side becomes more popular than the main meal, and this roasted asparagus dish has that potential!

A Simple Starter: Camembert Bake

I love cheese, and cheese is even better when it’s melted. This recipe is a delicious, but simple starter made with Goat’s Cheese camembert. It can be served as a starter or a snack, with some toasted ciabatta or crackers. Let everyone dip in and you will see, soon there will be nothing left!

5 Steps to ensure you make the Best Risotto

Ah, risotto – the creamy, comforting Italian dish that holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers worldwide. While its velvety texture and rich flavours make it a standout dish on restaurant menus, making risotto at yourself at home is not easy. Risotto demands patience and following a few steps religiously.

Dessert Recipes

Featured

Nectarine Tarte Tatin recipe with puff pastry

I’ve been working with Juicy Delicious to create several recipes with stone fruit. This Tarte Tatin is my variation of the classic French upside-down tart. Traditionally made with apples, this recipe includes nectarine. You can use any other type of stone fruit as well.

Pink Lady Apple Donut Flapjack Recipe

We often take some time on the weekend to make a nice breakfast together with the kids. I’ve previously shared my fluffiest flapjacks recipe, but this is something totally different! By dipping apple slices in the batter, you can include some fruit in your child’s diet. You can opt to cut the apple slices thinner, or poach the apple beforehand if you want it to be soft. I cut thick slices and didn’t poach them as we like the crunchy texture of the apple inside the flapjacks, but this is up to you!

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!

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!

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.

Olivia’s Chocolate Birthday Cake

For Olivia’s Fourth Birthday, we decided to make a chocolate cake. She wanted a Frozen-themed birthday party, but with some blue-tinted icing, and store-bought snowflake decoration that was easily done. Have a look at this recipe to make your own chocolate cake from scratch.

Pecan Nut Brittle Recipe

Make the crunciest Pecan Nut Brittle with this recipe. I first tried out this recipe when I had a Mother’s Day themed cook-with-me demo coming up and I wanted to add a nutty and crunchy element to the flapjack dish, to elevate it and take it to the next level. This peanut brittle was a hit!

Fluffy flapjacks, homemade blueberry compote, a crunchy pecan nut brittle and topped with Greek yoghurt.jpg

Fluffiest Flapjacks from Scratch with nut brittle, berry compote and cinnamon Greek yoghurt

Make the Fluffiest Flapjacks with Pecan Nut Brittle, a Berry Compote and Cinnamon Greek Yoghurt.

The secret to making the fluffiest flapjacks is in beating the egg whites into soft peaks before gently folding them into the rest of the mixture, being careful not to overmix.

Shawn Godfrey 2025/02/09 Shawn Godfrey 2025/02/09

Hedgehog or hasselback potatoes in the Airfryer

I have childhood memories of using a fork to make krimpvarkie aartappels (Afrikaans for hedgehog potatoes), which in mainstream English are called hasselback potatoes, named after a Swedish restaurant by the same name that made this way of preparing potatoes famous. Making these potatoes in the air fryer saves time, and crisps them up without needing to use too much olive oil.

Shawn Godfrey 2025/02/07 Shawn Godfrey 2025/02/07

Five tips to make the perfect medium-rare rump steak

Shawn Godfrey 2025/02/01 Shawn Godfrey 2025/02/01

Make Bacon Jam from scratch - a step-by-step recipe

I always have a jar of bacon jam in the fridge. It’s a great addition to a toasted sandwich or braai broodjie, or you can serve it with a blue cheese on a harvest board. I recently spread some bacon jam on ready-made Pick n Pay mini sliders for a Valentine’s Day-inspired picnic. Whatever you do, you can’t go wrong when it comes to bacon jam.

Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/26 Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/26

Vegetarian Samp, Bean and Creamed Butternut Potjie with Grilled Halloumi

This Samp, Bean and Creamed Butternut Potjie served with grilled Halloumi was a winner. Try the recipe and make your own.

Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/12 Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/12

Healthy banana, apple or raspberry muffins

I love muffins, but often muffins are loaded with sugar. This no sugar healthy muffin recipe is so good and a great lunchbox treat. Make them with banana, apple or raspberry.

Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/04 Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/04

Easy but Delicious Chocolate Torte

This Rich Chocolate Torte is easy to make. I made it with a mix of flour and ground almonds, but you could easily make it gluten-free and use only ground almonds. I have also provided a dairy-free option.

Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/03 Shawn Godfrey 2025/01/03

No-egg recipe for Marie Biscuit Chocolate Fudge

The recipe lasts for about a week in an air-tight container in the fridge, but in my household they usually don’t last that long! The kids love them as a lunch box treat and as the recipe is quick and easy to make, it is a great one to get your children involved in the preparation too.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/19 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/19

Gammon Braai Broodjies with a zesty Fennel and Mustard Slaw, Boerenkaas Cheese on Garlic and Herb Rolls

After Christmas there are often many leftovers. Why not make a Gammon Braai Broodjie with your leftover gammon on boxing day?

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/17 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/17

The Top 10 Most Popular Recipes of 2024

I have spent a lot more time on writing up and publishing my recipes on this website this year, and you seem to enjoy it! Traffic to the website has increased significantly month-on-month, and these were the most popular recipes this year.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/17 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/17

Best recipes to cook this Christmas

MasterChef winner Shawn Godfrey shares his favourite Christmas recipes to make sure you can cook a delicious menu this Christmas.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/16 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/16

Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

“Awter mewons!” is what my two year old shouts through the shopping aisle when he spots one of these bad boys. And his excitement is for good reason. Delicious when simply cut in slices and eaten off the skin, there is so much more you can do with watermelon.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/16 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/16

Lemon & herb peri-peri and rosemary deboned leg of lamb

As South Africans we love to braai, and what better way to enjoy the great weather this festive season? This outdoor Christmas menu includes a deboned leg of lamb, roasted straight over the coals.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/12 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/12

Exotic Pumpkin & Butternut Salad on Whipped Feta

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/09 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/09

South African Banana Bread made from scratch

Banana bread has gained in popularity in recent years. I have seen it on menus at trendy coffee shops like the very popular Butter All Day and Baard and Co., but franchised coffee shops like Ou Meul and Bootlegger serve banana bread as well!

The best banana bread is eaten straight out the oven, and what better way to achieve that, than to bake your own? Slicing it up whilst still warm, banana bread is delicious with generous dollop of butter, which will melt and fill the whole slice with deliciousness! Make your own, using this recipe.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/08 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/08

Slow-cooked fall-off-the bone Turkey

Throw away any other turkey recipe you have and use this one. It’s fail proof!

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/03 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/03

South African Style Slow-Roast Leg of Lamb with Atchar

It takes a bit of planning and preparation to prepare this dish, as you need to start early in the morning or (even better) the day before, but this really comes out in the flavours!

Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/01 Shawn Godfrey 2024/12/01

Beetroot Salad with Whipped Feta, Bacon, Roasted Olives and Toasted Pecan Nuts

Shawn Godfrey 2024/11/28 Shawn Godfrey 2024/11/28

Bobotie Quesadilla Fold Overs with an Avo Dip & Bean and Atchar Side

South African food culture includes many international influences. I love Mexican food, but also enjoy adding South African flavours to it. I cooked these bobotie-inspired quesadilla fold overs on the Expresso show using the Kiln pizza oven, and they turned out great! Try the recipe yourself and let me know what you think.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/11/21 Shawn Godfrey 2024/11/21

Rib, Slaw and Smokey Mayo Garlic Rolls

I was invited to be on Expresso again, and cooked this irresistable lunch recipe with Carl Wastie! If you want to make it too, here is the recipe to make your own Rib, Slaw and Smokey Mayo Garlic Rolls.

Shawn Godfrey 2024/11/19 Shawn Godfrey 2024/11/19

Banana, Oats and Egg Pancake Recipe

On Sundays we like to make a bit more effort for breakfast. And these banana and egg pancakes are a firm favourite! The kids see it like a real treat, yet they’re a lot healthier (and quicker and easier to make) than the usual flapjacks.