Radio serves bull for breakfast

2008-10-15 08:10

Francois Oosthuizen

Johannesburg - The Rude awakening team on 94.7 Highveld Stereo had to show their mettle when they tried out three versions of an unusual dish on Tuesday morning.

Jeremy Mansfield, Bongani Nxumalo and Paul Rotherham grit their teeth and each had a bite of bull testicles for breakfast.

"It all started when we discovered Serbian chef Ljubomir Erovic's cookbook, Cooking with balls. We were silly enough to wonder what testicles tasted like," Mansfield said.

Another presenter, Sam Cowen, then proposed that they got a chef to prepare some bull testicles for the team to taste while they were on air.

'Delicacy'

Mansfield said he's very adventurous. "I like to experience food from different countries, but in this case I'm a little careful."

Darren Simpson was less optimistic: "I like ordinary chicken, beef and lamb," he said.

Chef Nic Mavroedakis from the restaurant Filakia in Sandton prepared three versions of this meaty "delicacy".

"I'm simply going to fry the testicles in olive oil, white wine and spices. The secret is not to overcook them - you want to retain the texture," Mavroedakis explained.

First on the menu was the Mediterranean style served in phyllo parcels with rocket. This was followed by the Moroccan style with a coconut, peppadew and tomato sauce. Last but not least there was the Oriental version with a hoisin, soya and prickly-pear sauce.

Mansfield was the brave one and took the first bite. He chose the Oriental style.

'Actually not that bad'

After a long silence he said: "It tastes a lot like chicken livers, but it's not as strong."

Next in line was Rotherham, who only said: "It's actually not that bad."

Nxumalo, who had fried bull testicles before, was the only one who really enjoyed it.

"Now I have another recipe," he said, sounding chuffed.

But Simpson just couldn't bring himself to do it. "I'll just have to admit that I'm the only one in the team who doesn't have the guts," he said.

Mansfield later said that would teach them not to make silly suggestions on air. "Chances are good it's going to come true."

- Beeld