Wild Peacock in Stellenbosch stocks the things
chefs and good cooks want; all the luxuries like oysters, freshwater crayfish,
imported and local cheeses, fresh fish, game, charcuterie and chocolate. They
have a retail shop in town and a huge warehouse in the industrial area. Last
week, we were invited to visit and see a demonstration of Mexican food products
(made in the USA) which they import. www.wildpeacock.co.za/
Following
the tasting, we went to their Emporium and Lynne bought two packets of dried
smoked chillies, a packet of Ancho and a packet of Californian chillies
Gaby from Aztec foods did the
demonstration, supported by her husband
Here she is making a chilli paste. The
range does include masa harina the flour you need to make tortillas and tacos
Some of the products come in tins
Here are some of them opened for us to
taste
Gaby using a smoked chilli bottled
sauce
Ready-made Mole, Adobo and other
sauces to use from the pot, and packets of dried chillies
Here she is explaining how to use some
of the more unknown products like Nopales, which are pieces of cactus. We
tasted them and they are definitely an acquired taste and texture. We found
them rather slimy and completely tasteless in a cabbagy way. Perhaps you have
to grow up eating them
Azteca is the brand - you can learn
more on Facebook
Tortillas should always be heated in a
dry pan and, did you know, they have two different layers? The thin one goes
inside and the thick layer must be outside
Refried beans are not refried and
Achiote is a blend of chilli and other spices including Annato, which colours
the food red. Tins of whole and sliced Jalapeno chillies
The range of dried chillies
Dishes Gaby cooked. Pork in Salsa
Verde with Nopales
Chicken in Mole Rojo
Nopales salad
Chicken in Mole Verde
Beef in Adobo sauce
Ross Baker has now taken over running the
business from his mother Sue, who started it in 2000
Sue Baker
Andrew Baker took us for a tour of the
cold storage rooms, each has its own purpose. These are tanks for fresh
crayfish
Freshwater crayfish
Fresh oysters
Beautiful sea bass flown in from
Reunion
Charcuterie from many different
destinations has a room all on its own
Wheels of Edam young and old, in the
cheese room
Lots of other slowly ripening cheese
The dried goods storage and dispatch
Valrhona chocolate to keep everyone
happy
The Wild Peacock Emporium at 32 Piet
Retief St, Stellenbosch, 7600. Phone 021 887 7585
The inside will remind our old
customers of Main Ingredient, but they sell lots of fresh foods which we never
did. You can also have lunch or coffee and cake and more. Lots of interesting
things to buy
And a nice selection of wines and
other beverages
