• When pan-frying chicken, cover for the first 5 minutes of cooking and then uncover for the remainder of the cooking time. Covering for a short period of time will help cook the chicken thoroughly.
• Want crispy skin just like Ma makes? Do not cover the chicken once it has finished cooking because covering will cause the coating to lose its crispness.
• For added flavour when poaching chicken, season the liquid with herbs, such as dried rosemary, sage, thyme or dill. Other flavourings, such as ginger, garlic and onion, work just as well.
• To make cutting chicken breasts into thin strips easier, place the chicken in the freezer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour to firm it up, or if the chicken is frozen, cut it into thin strips before it is completely thawed.
• Let roasted chicken rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to be distributed throughout the meat. Standing the chicken with the bottom end up allows more juices to run into the drier breast area.

● Prepare as many of the dishes or recipe steps as you can the day before, such as salad dressings, sauces and marinating your chicken.

● Choose a recipe that you are confident in preparing; a one-tray roast of juicy chicken pieces or a whole bird are always easy crowd-pleasers.

● Set up a drink and snack station for guests’ arrival and something small to nibble on, like warm chicken strips with a delicious dip.

● Make sure you have a water jug with ice and lemon when guests arrive. Place the jugs of water on tables for easy access.

● Light candles and put on your favourite playlist, and remember to have fun!

1. Freeze: Pop leftover chillies into a bag or plastic box and store them in the top drawer of your freezer. You can grate directly into dishes from frozen.
2. Pickle: Slice up the chillies and pickle them in leftover gherkin juice. Top up with a splash of water and vinegar to cover.
3. Infuse oil: Pop fresh chillies in a frying pan and cover with oil, any vegetable oil will do. Heat over low heat for about 60 minutes to allow chillies to infuse the oil. Set aside to cool completely and pour into a jar. Top up with more oil and use as you wish.
4. Dry: Place chillies on a dark tray in direct sunlight. Leave to dry completely, pack into an airtight jar, and store in a dark place. Crumble or chop and use as needed.

More tips: https://www.astralchicken.com/how_to/

• The classic: The most common cast-iron pot shape is the three-legged potjie, as well as the most stable, as it comes with three legs attached no need for a separate stand. The second type of potjie is a flat bottomed pot that is versatile but requires a stand.
• Treating a new potjie: Before cooking food in a new potjie the cast iron needs to be treated to avoid residue and an iron taste in the food.
  • Step 1: Wash and scrub it properly using warm water, dishwashing liquid and steel wool.
  • Step 2: Dry the potjie completely and coat the inside with cooking oil (sunflower oil will do the trick).
  • Step 3: Heat the pot until the oil begins to smoke and then wipe the pot clean with a paper towel. Repeat step 3 until the paper towel comes out clean after wiping.
  • Step 4: Thoroughly wash and scrub it using warm water and dishwashing liquid.
• Ready…set…go!: Test whether the potjie is ready for use by cooking stywepap in it. The pot is ready for general use if the porridge comes out white (not grey) and tastes fine.

More tips: https://www.astralchicken.com/how_to/

• Treat ma to her favourite meal: Be it chicken pie, stew or roast pieces, have her sit back and relax while you take the reins in the kitchen.
• Give ma a free day: Take the kids on an outing and give her time to herself.
• Make her a homemade gift card: A handwritten note with a small promise of a simple act of kindness like folding the laundry, washing the dishes or an extra-long hug and a cuddle will mean the world to her.

Stock the fridge with her favourite frozen chicken: Lighten her meal planning load and stock the freezer with a few easy meal starters.

• Hungarian chicken paprikash – Chicken legs and thighs, simmered in onions, chicken stock, generously seasoned with paprika and finished off with sour cream.
• American chicken and dumplings – Roasted chicken topped with fluffy buttermilk and chive dumplings make for a soul-warming meal.
• German schnitzel with gravy – Chicken breasts are breaded, deep-fried and smothered in mushroom gravy for this taste of home.
• Eastern European matzo ball soup – A chicken soup filled with delicious dumplings made out of matzah meal (crushed unleavened bread), eggs, chicken fat (or another fat or oil), and broth. The dumplings cook in the soup and soak up all the delicious flavour of the soup as they cook.
• Chinese rice porridge with eggs – This comforting savoury ginger congee is a staple rice dish across many Asian countries. It is traditionally eaten as breakfast in China but tastes just as good curled up on the sofa.

• Use oils with a high smoke point (such as peanut oil) and make sure the oil is smoking hot.
• Don’t waste any time. Flash-fry your garlic, ginger, chilli, and other spices; then fry your chicken and veggies in a dash.
• It’s all in the sauce. Be sure to carefully balance sweet, sour, and the salt and umami from the soy sauce.

Don’t forget the garnish. Spring onions, onion sprinkles, sesame seeds, and chopped peanuts all add delicious crunch.

• Fill a jar with 50 reasons why you’re still madly in love with them.
• Create a Spotify or iTunes playlist of love songs and share it with them.
• Stock the fridge with all their favourite eats and treats (don’t forget the chicken!).
• Pack some munchies and whip them away on a mini road trip.

Send out a “meeting request” for every day of the week and spoil them with walks, swims, movies, picnics, and more.

• Do some prep on a Sunday: make a batch of hummus, pack small containers with nuts and biltong, and fry chicken strips to use in sandwiches and wraps.
• Always have eggs in the house. A boiled egg is a pocket-friendly way to keep those hunger pangs at bay.
• Use cookie cutters to cut fresh fruit and veggies into shapes. The prettier they are, the greater the chance your fussy eater will tuck in.

Print out a stash of lunchbox notes and jokes and pop them into your kids’ lunchboxes. You’ll add a bit of fun to their day.