My Favorite Picnic Sandwiches (That Always Disappear First) We’re in the heart of spring here in Tennessee, and one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season is with a picnic. Whether it’s at a nearby vineyard, a quiet park, or even our own backyard, there’s something magical about gathering outdoors as the world comes alive around us. The blooming trees, the warm breeze, the clink of a glass—these little moments of togetherness and beauty help reset our pace and set the tone for the season ...
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Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd's Pie (a.k.a. The Meal That Heals) In our home, this cozy, hearty dish is more than just dinner—it’s a cure-all. It’s our favorite winter-night comfort food, and my go-to for meal-train blessings. In fact, it’s become such a staple in our lives that we now call it “the meal that heals.” This nickname came about after I brought it to a dear friend who was recovering from heart surgery. The next morning, I received this text: “Hi Nanette. Thanks so much for dinner ...
Peppermint Crisp Tart
Fridge Tart & Friendship: A Peppermint Crisp Classic Peppermint Crisp Tart is easily one of the most beloved and frequently made desserts in South Africa. And once you’ve tasted it, it’s easy to understand why. This no-bake treat features layers of coconut biscuits and a dulce de leche cream, all studded with shards of Peppermint Crisp — a minty chocolate bar with the most irresistible crunch. It’s decadent, nostalgic, and happens to sport a perfectly patriotic palette of green and gold, ...
Blueberry Apple Crisp
Bubbling Blueberry Apple Crisp (and the Scent of Welcome) If you ask me, there are few aromas more comforting than a baked dessert fresh from the oven—and I think this one might take the cake (no pun intended). The scent of warm cinnamon and oats mingling with bubbling fruit is exactly the kind of welcome I want my family or guests to experience as they walk through the door. It’s cozy. It’s nostalgic. And it’s delicious. As I worked on developing this recipe, I experimented with different ...
Homemade Romany Creams
My favorite South African cookie, recreated in my American kitchen. Romany Creams are my very favorite cookie in the entire universe (not an exaggeration). They were a treasured treat during my childhood, especially during afternoon tea with a cup of rooibos. When I moved to the States, they quickly became one of the most-missed foods from home. For years, whenever someone was visiting South Africa, I’d ask them to bring me a box — but once I had my own kids and started our own tea time ...
Stovetop Hot Chocolate
Stirring Up Tradition: Our Favorite Christmas Tree Hot Chocolate One of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is putting on a big ol’ pot of hot chocolate and decorating the Christmas tree. We usually do this the weekend after Thanksgiving—and this year was no exception. Years ago, we used to grab a few hot chocolate packets, but it didn’t take long for me to decide those just wouldn’t do. I’m definitely a chocolate person—the darker the better—so those bland, watery mixes felt like a ...
Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Turkey (Oven Bag Method) Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday in the States. It's a day dedicated to gratitude—and includes my two favorite ways to love on people: quality time and food. The star of the table is, of course, the turkey. As a South African, turkey wasn’t a regular part of our meals growing up, so this dish still feels like a bit of a treat—and a meaningful symbol of the home we’ve built here.But I also know how daunting it can feel for newcomers. If you're ...
Roasted Acorn Squash with Cinnamon Sugar
Roasted Acorn Squash with Cinnamon Sugar (“Squashies”) Growing up, we ate what we called groen pampoentjies — little green pumpkins — almost every week. My mom would boil gem squash halves, scoop out the seeds, and serve them right in their shells with butter, sugar, and cinnamon. I loved it. We were told they’d “make your hair grow pretty, healthy curls,” and since they tasted like dessert, I never complained when they showed up on my plate. After moving to the States, we realized gem ...
A Starbucks-themed Birthday Party
A Starbucks-Themed Birthday Party: Teen-Friendly, Fun, and Full of Coffee Vibes Our oldest, Elliott, just turned 13 this past month. And just like that, I became the mom of a teen! The past few years, we transformed our house into Hogwarts and celebrated with all the magic we could muster, but this year, he asked for something “fun, but also a little grown-up.” His request? A party inspired by his favorite place — Starbucks. Our goal was simple: something fun, easy to host, and relatively ...
Feature in SAWITU Essentials Magazine
Southern Protea: South African Culture in the American South I’m honored to have been featured in the Nov/Dec 2023 issue of SAWITU Essentials. This interview gave me a chance to share the heart behind Southern Protea—how it started, where the name came from, and why cake has always been more than just dessert in my world. We talked about my South African childhood, Tennessee home life, and how baking has become a way of weaving the two together. I also shared my go-to flavors (spoiler: ...
