Akeeda helping the kitchen

I have taken many guests over the years for a cooking experience with Faldela in her home in the Cape Malay Quarter (BoKaap), and last week we enjoyed the special experience of breaking the fast with her family during the holy month of Ramadan.  At this time of year the fast is broken around 5.50pm so we planned our arrival at her home for 4pm so that the guests could have plenty of time to enjoy the cooking experience of making chicken curry, samoosas, and roti.

For the lunch time cooking experience I usually arrive around 11am and the house is quiet as the children are at school.  A totally unique experience today as it was a Saturday and Ramadan.  It was all hands on deck in the kitchen as the children were assisting in making special treats for the neighbours.  It is customary for the children living in the Bo Kaap to deliver treats to the neighbours about an hour before the fast is broken so the kitchen is busy with local children in and out bringing treats.

First up we made roti my mixing flour and water and then followed Faldela's instructions on the special way they need to be prepared and rolled out.

Making rotis

Final touches to the roti

Next we made the salad and the chicken curry

Making salad

Making chicken curry

Faldela explains all the spices

The children lay the table in between delivering treats to the neighbours.

Children delivering treats to the neighbours

We don't need a watch or a clock to know the time to break the fast.  We are in the heart of the Bo Kaap so we wait until we hear the mosque, prayers are said and supper is served.  The fast is often broken with something sweet, like a cake, and then the feast is enjoyed

Faldela explains the different ways of eating chicken curry and roti with your hands

If you would like to book a cooking experience with Faldela in the Bo Kaap please contact her 072 483 4040