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Home » Collections » Top 20 Recipes – Readers’ favourite recipes July 2021

Top 20 Recipes – Readers’ favourite recipes July 2021

Author: VJ Published : August 2021 Updated : June 2022 / Be the first to comment!

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I’ve been having a look at which recipes are the most popular on my website, and these are my top 20 recipes as viewed by you, the reader. Have YOU tried any of them?

Top 20 recipes as view by readers.
I’ve listed them below, in order of popularity, and while the savoury dishes seem to have the edge in the popularity stakes, there are still a few sweet dishes to try.

**As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.**

Table Of Contents
  1. 1 Quick and easy vetkoek
  2. 2 Vetkoek and curried mince
  3. 3 Beef vegetable winter soup
  4. 4 Slow cooker beef and kidney stew
  5. 5 Crispy pork knuckle with saute potatoes
  6. 6 Easy homemade fish cakes
  7. 7 Chelsea buns
  8. 8 Easy custard slices
  9. 9 Crusty Portuguese rolls
  10. 10 Oat and coconut crunchies
  11. 11 Baby marrows with tomato and onion
  12. 12 Easy chicken a la king
  13. 13 Old fashioned bacon and egg pie
  14. 14 Crispy French fries with a spicy coating
  15. 15 Mrs Balls Chutney (copycat recipe)
  16. 16 Peri Peri Chicken Livers
  17. 17 Koeksisters
  18. 18 Peppermint crisp fridge tart
  19. 19 Trinchado
  20. 20 Scalloped potatoes
  21. Least searched recipes
  22. Let me know what you think

I always find it interesting to have a look at my top-performing recipes to see what all my visitors are looking at. It helps me to decide where to concentrate my efforts in planning my next recipe! There are some recipes on this list that surprised me. I really didn’t think that my baby marrow recipe would prove to be as popular as it is, but it’s currently sitting at number 11!

There are also some recipes that I thought would have been popular but nobody seems to be looking at them. I’ve included them at the end of the list so you can see the ones I’m talking about 🙂 . Perhaps I should publish a post on my most unpopular recipes!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy browsing through my top 20 recipes. I’d love to hear from you if your favourite recipe is on here, and I’d also like to hear what other recipes you would like to see. Leave me a comment or drop me an email, and I’ll do my best to publish it for you.

1 Quick and easy vetkoek

I’m not surprised that these are so popular. They taste just as good as traditional yeast-based vetkoek, but you only need 2 ingredients to make them.

A pile of 2-ingredient vetkoek in a basket.
Quick and easy vetkoek
Delicious, golden brown and chewy. These quick and easy vetkoek are unbelievable. They taste just like the original version made with yeast, but these are mixed in just 5 minutes, with no yeast, kneading or rising time required. Just mix and fry for the tastiest, chewiest vetkoek ever – you won't believe how quick and easy these are to make!
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2 Vetkoek and curried mince

Despite having the worst photo imaginable, this recipe has been top of the list since I first published it 2 years ago. It’s just been pushed out of the top spot by my quick and easy vetkoek. I really must find the time to make this again and take a photo that does it justice!

UPDATE – I did change the photo 🙂

A vetkoek on a plate, filled with curried mince, next to a pan of curried mince and a dish of deep-fried vetkoek.
Vetkoek and curried mince
This traditional South African meal of vetkoek and curried mince makes a great alternative to the normal curry and rice. Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, vetkoek are delicious when served filled with a spicy ground beef curry. Why not try something different for your next curry meal! 
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3 Beef vegetable winter soup

Such a thick and hearty soup. Perfect for the colder weather currently being experienced in the Southern hemisphere. It’s packed with meat and vegetables and all you’ll need to serve with it is lots of crusty bread.

A dish of beef vegetable soup with a slice of bread.
Beef Vegetable Winter Soup
Homemade soup doesn't get any better than this recipe for beef vegetable winter soup, handed down to me by my mother-in-law almost 50 years ago. It's crammed with tender beef and lots of root vegetables, celery, leeks and tomatoes. If you want a vegetarian option just leave out the meat – it will taste just as good.
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4 Slow cooker beef and kidney stew

This is one of my favourites. I love how soft and juicy the chunks of beef turn out. And I always add extra kidneys because I love them so much.

Close up of steak and kidney stew showing how the meat falls apart.
Slow-cooker beef and kidney stew
A hearty beef and kidney stew, slow-cooked until you can cut the meat with a fork!
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5 Crispy pork knuckle with saute potatoes

The saute potatoes in this recipe are so delicious I should really have given them a recipe to themselves!

2 crispy pork knuckles on a plate.
Crispy pork knuckle with saute potatoes
Eisbein is a traditional German dish of juicy, tender pork knuckle with the crispiest, crackly skin. Serve with vegetables and perfectly cooked creamy saute potatoes for a meal you will want to eat again and again!
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6 Easy homemade fish cakes

This is a very economical recipe because you can just use leftover fish and mashed potatoes. I have included instructions for poaching fish if you don’t have any leftovers.

A homemade fishcake cut in half to show the inside.
Easy homemade fish cakes
You can’t go wrong with a meal of easy homemade fish cakes! Everyone loves them, even the fussiest eater. And what’s not to love? Chunks of flaky fish mixed with creamy mashed potatoes, in a crispy crunchy coating. Serve with a salad for a light lunch or team with peas and chips for a more substantial supper. Either way, this is a winner!
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7 Chelsea buns

The first of the sweet recipes comes in at a well-deserved number 7. I love these sticky buns. They’re made with yeast, and take a bit of time to stand and rise, but are SO worth the effort. I’m currently playing around with a similar recipe, for coconut buns and I’d love to know if that’s something you would like to try.

Overhead shot of glazed chelsea buns.
Chelsea Buns
Fluffy and light, with a soft rich pastry and a brown sugar and cinnamon filling, packed with sultanas, these homemade chelsea buns taste amazing. For extra sweetness they are covered with a simple icing sugar glaze.
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8 Easy custard slices

So easy to make – but so delicious! They’re filled with my recipe for creme patissiere which I use to fill this German Bee Sting cake. (I’ve absolutely no idea why this bee sting cake isn’t in the top 20).

Close up of a custard slice covered with icing sugar.
Easy custard slices with puff pastry
These easy custard slices are made from crispy puff pastry and filled with creme patissiere. I have been told that I should really call them 'Angel Slices' because they taste so divine!
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9 Crusty Portuguese rolls

I have a few recipes for bread rolls on my site, but I have to say these are my favourite! You can even use the dough to make a free-form loaf that slices perfectly and is ideal for sandwiches.

Two Portuguese rolls on a plate next to a roll that has been split open and smeared with butter.
Crusty Portuguese rolls (papo secos)
Crusty on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, these homemade crusty Portuguese rolls are perfect for sandwiches. If you prefer you could just dunk them in your favourite bowl of soup or stew, or even serve them as dinner rolls.
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10 Oat and coconut crunchies

These are ideal for packing into your lunch box to beat the mid morning hunger pangs.

Four crunchies piled on a plate
Oat and Coconut Crunchies
Crunchies with oats and coconut are delicious treats that you can whip up in next to no time. And the beauty of this recipe is that you can make these crunchies exactly as you like them. Take them out of the oven early and you have soft and chewy slices… leave them in a bit longer and they turn into crispy crunchy biscuits.
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11 Baby marrows with tomato and onion

Hubby always refused to eat courgettes, calling them bland and tasteless, but even he eats them if I prepare them in this way.

A dish of baby marrows cookin in tomatoes and onions.
Baby Marrows with tomato and onion
In South Africa, courgettes are referred to as Baby Marrows, in America they are known as Zucchini. Whatever you call them, they taste amazing and are packed with health benefits. Cooking them with tomato and onion is my favourite way of preparing them.
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12 Easy chicken a la king

This is another easy recipe that uses leftovers. I often buy a rotisserie chicken in the supermarket and shred it to make this dish. Of course, you can poach fresh chicken pieces too, and I’ve given instructions for that in the recipe.

Chicken a la king being spooned from a serving dish.
Easy Chicken a la King
This easy Chicken a la King recipe is made from tender chicken chunks, red peppers and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. It's on the table in 30 minutes – start to finish. Perfect for those days when you don't have much time to spend in the kitchen
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13 Old fashioned bacon and egg pie

I’ve called this recipe ‘old fashioned’, but it’s as good to eat now as it was over 60 years ago when I first tasted my Granny’s recipe.

A slice of bacon and egg pie on a plate
Old fashioned bacon and egg pie
This is a recipe that has stood the test of time. An old fashioned bacon and egg pie as made by my Granny. A light as a feather shortcrust pastry, packed full of tasty bacon and whole eggs, baked in a creamy egg custard filling. Hand on heart, this is the best bacon and egg pie you will ever eat!
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14 Crispy French fries with a spicy coating

Everybody can fry up a plate of chips, but with very little more effort you can be enjoying these crispy French fries with a spicy coating.

A wire basket of crispy fries.
Crispy French Fries with a spicy coating
This is my new favourite way of making extra crispy French fries. The potatoes are coated in a spicy flour mix before being twice-fried to give them an extra crunch on the outside, leaving the inside soft and fluffy.
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15 Mrs Balls Chutney (copycat recipe)

Ask any South African to name their favourite chutney and 10 times out of 10 you’ll get the answer ‘Mrs Balls’! I experimented with lots of combinations of fruit and spices to come up with this recipe, and I think it comes pretty close to the original version.

An open jar of Mrs Balls chutney with a spoon.
Mrs Balls Chutney
South Africa is known for many dishes – the most iconic of all being Mrs Balls Chutney – spicy, fruity and delicious.  It's made with minced dried fruit and onion, flavoured with a hint of chilli.   It has a slightly sweet, tangy taste, with just enough heat from the chilli to give it a bit of a bite.   Absolutely delicious served with a slice of pork pie and a chunk of cheese!
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16 Peri Peri Chicken Livers

This dish makes a great starter when you’re feeding a crowd. I’m so pleased it’s one of my top recipes because it honestly deserves to be. When I was living in South Africa, I often got the comment ‘Thanks for inviting me to your barbeque. I’d love to come, but only if you’re making chicken livers’.

A bowl of peri peri chicken livers next to a plate of crusty bread.
Peri Peri Chicken Livers
Peri Peri Chicken Livers – tender chunks of chicken livers, swimming in a tomato and onion gravy, spiced up with chilli.  Grab your crusty breadroll and dive right in.
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17 Koeksisters

My recipe for koeksisters is quick and easy – these are made without yeast, but I defy you to tell the difference between these ‘instant’ koeksisters and the traditional yeast-based variety.

4 koeksisters on a cooling rack next to a dish of koeksisters.
Easy koeksisters with 2-ingredient dough
A koeksister (pronounced cook sister) is a popular South African delicacy, made from plaited, deep fried dough, which is dunked in ice-cold syrup, flavoured with lemon and cinnamon. Traditional koeksisters are very time-consuming to make, but this recipe for easy koeksisters is made with 2-ingredient dough, so you can be tucking into one of these in no time.
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18 Peppermint crisp fridge tart

One of the most decadent desserts I’ve ever made. You will definitely only be able to manage one piece of this, but it is SO worth it.

A glass dish filled with peppermint crisp fridge tart, topped with a sprig of mint.
Peppermint crisp fridge tart
Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart is the ultimate in sweet indulgence. Luscious whipped cream mixed with caramelised condensed milk, layered on coconut biscuits and covered in grated peppermint chocolate. As a bonus there is no cooking required. Just let it set in the fridge for an hour or two before eating – if you can wait that long!
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19 Trinchado

This recipe is loosely based on the Trinchado we used to eat in Portuguese restaurants that are very popular in Johannesburg. It’s normally served with french fries, but in my opinion, a slice of crusty bread does a much better job of mopping up the sauce!

A closeup of a bowl of beef trinchado.
Quick and easy beef trinchado
If you like spicy food, you are going to love this quick and easy beef Trinchado! This dish is made with tender strips of beef in a thick tomato and onion-based sauce, and spiced up with garlic, peri-peri and red wine. It is a popular dish in many South African restaurants, and now you can make beef Trinchado at home using my easy recipe.
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20 Scalloped potatoes

I grew up in the north of England eating these – it was such a treat to get home from school and find scalloped potatoes on the menu! Serve these with a dollop of tomato ketchup for dunking, and you’ve got heaven on a plate.

Scalloped potatoes in batter
Tender slices of potato, dipped in batter and then fried to golden perfection. Scalloped potatoes in batter are perhaps not the healthiest dish on the menu, but they are certainly one of the tastiest!
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Least searched recipes

And now, as promised, here are 10 of my recipes that no one seems to be searching for. It’s a pity really because I think they are well worth making! I’d love to know whether these dishes are something you would enjoy eating. Why not leave me a comment and let me know.

  • Creamy pan-fried pork with pears and onions – the sweetness of the pears goes so well with pork. This is a delicious one-dish meal that I like to serve with rice, and a side of peas.
  • Spicy meatballs in homemade tomato sauce – a quick and easy meal, perfect for when you don’t have much time.
  • Hungarian beef goulash with spaetzle – I first tried this dish in Hungary, and enjoyed it so much I just had to recreate it when I got home.
  • Chicken and bacon skewers – strips of chicken, smothered with tomato paste, and skewered with bacon. Perfect for a barbeque, or just grill them in the oven for a tasty meal.
  • Dom Pedro – a delicious dessert cocktail made with Bailleys and icecream.
  • Meatball stuffed jumbo pasta shells – giant pasta shells, each one holding a meatball, covered with a tangy, cheese sauce.
  • Thai green chicken curry – a delicious chicken curry served with fragrant jasmine rice.
  • Beef and barley stew – tender chunks of beef cook with loads of vegetables and barley is comfort food at its best.
  • Steamed pork and shrimp dumplings – I always make a bee-line for these little dumplings at a Chinese restaurant, but now I make them at home anytime I feel like it.
  • Barbeque lamb chops with minted yoghurt marinade – the yoghurt tenderises the chops and makes them so soft they literally melt in your mouth. You can cook these over the coals, or just pop them in the oven to bake

Let me know what you think

I hope you enjoyed browsing through this list of my top 20 recipes. I’d love to know what you think, and if there’s a recipe that you like to me make and publish, just let me know in the comments below.

If you’d like to be notified of any new recipes, why not subscribe to my newsletter. As a thank-you gift, you will receive a free recipe e-book containing some of my most popular cakes and desserts.

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Filed Under: All Recipes, Collections

About VJ

In my previous life, I was an IT Consultant. Now that I've swapped an office for a kitchen I have a lot more time to spend on things that interest me such as trying out new recipes. Most of my cooking is based around quick and easy meals, and you'll probably find a little South African influence creeping in due to the many years I spent there.

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In my previous life, I was an IT Consultant. Now that I've swapped an office for a kitchen I have a lot more time to spend on things that interest me such as trying out new recipes. Most of my cooking is based around quick and easy meals, and you'll probably find a little South African influence creeping in due to the many years I spent there.

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