It wasn’t Kath’s blog last week about dinner food for breakfast that prompted my breakfast-for-dinner party on Friday night, but she certainly did approve of the fare, bananas notwithstanding.

I thought the world was going to implode when we spooned Nutella onto syrup-soaked waffles and topped them with bananas (caramelised in chilli sugar) and crispy bacon. It was a meal to make even notorious cheese-stew-maker Liz Lemon proud.

My outfit would have impressed her too. Even though no-one else responded to the invitation to wear their pyjamas, the magnificence of The Panda made up for them all. This dark purple, polar-fleece garment has a high neck and long sleeves, and descends in two shapeless panels to end at mid-shin. Plus there’s a cartoon panda, holding a pink flower, appliquéd onto the chest. It’s a real winner, and I wore it all night to conceal my champagne belly.

But back to the waffles. The host made the chilli sugar herself by adding a sprinkle of chilli flakes to brown sugar and storing it in an old Robertson’s spice bottle, which she then shook over the frying bananas. I imagine this warmly sweet mixture would also be great for caramelising onions or tomatoes for topping bruschetta or pizza.

After my much-needed recovery time on Saturday, I was ready for more culinary adventures on Sunday morning. I grew up in Centurion, which means I have already had my lifetime’s fill of shopping mall meals – especially as a teenager wandering around the stad on a Friday night – so I was not too thrilled at the prospect of eating in one this Sunday. I had been invited to meet friends for brunch at Sostanza in Lakeside Mall.

But imagine my delight, after I dodged the SUVs in the parking lot and stepped onto the mall pavement, when I was treated to rays of sunshine through the skylights above this little café, filled with the warmth and aroma (and steam) of freshly brewed coffee. Happy rows of golden pastries on the counter and charming wooden furniture inside made for a really welcoming environment.

I was also ecstatic to discover that they serve white chocolate, the reason for last winter’s top-button undoing and mid-morning sugar slump. Woolies used to sell it in big tins, but I can’t find it on their shelves anymore. It’s probably for the best. Sugar is the main ingredient, naturally, along with vanilla flavouring and milk solids. The requisite five teaspoons (that’s what the instructions say, I swear) make your mug of steaming milk silky and sweet. It’s unbelievably comforting.

Post sugar-fix, avo-chicken wrap and good catch up at Sostanza, I popped in at the supermarket next door to buy a bag of those lovely Beauregard sweet potatoes for Sunday night soup. Peeling them is almost the best part; I just love how the smooth, creamy orange emerges from behind the drab brown peel. It’s so therapeutic. Almost as good as slurping the resulting soup on the couch while wearing The Panda.

Yours in bobbly fleece and sweet potatoes,
Linda

Photograph: mamaloco