By LISA WITEPSKI & BRUCE DENNILL
The Guilt-Free Gourmet by Jordan & Jessica Bourke
Celebrate with Lorna Maseko
Food Stories by Lebo and Tebo Ndala
Five Give Up The Booze by Bruno Vincent
Having spent a December with a niece and nephew who are dairy intolerant and suffer from Coeliac disease, I’ve come to learn that cooking for anyone who is trying out any kind of ‘free from’ diet is bound to feel a little deprived – there just doesn’t seem to be a lot of variety or choice when it comes to making food that’s delicious and varied. That’s where The Guilt-Free Gourmet is absolutely great. With a huge range of recipes, there’s no sense that giving up wheat, dairy or cane sugar is a major sacrifice that leaves you with food that tastes almost (but not quite) as good as the real thing – these dishes are scrumptious in their own right. From Spanish meatballs to Massaman curry, from aubergine salad with puy lentils, sundried tomatoes and mint oil, these meals are imaginative and encouragingly straightforward, without any hard-to-get-hold of ingredients. – LW
Many, many moons ago, when I was working at Cosmopolitan, I interviewed Lorna Maseko for the magazine’s feature on ‘Awesome Women’ – dynamic people who were set to become leaders in their various spheres. At the time, Maseko was a rising star with the SA Ballet Theatre, so it came as something as a surprise to me to see her gain more prominence behind the stove than on stage. Maseko uses Celebrate – which is much more than a collection of recipes – to talk about the journey from ballerina to chef. Her story, which is as much a focus in the book as food, is written with humour and is entirely relatable; reading it makes you feel like you’ve sat down for a chat with your bestie rather than a celebrity. Her recipes reflect the cosmopolitan path her life has taken: while there are tributes to her upbringing in Alexandra (like putu pap with wors with a decidedly sophisticated twist, or atchar lamb shank), she’s also included dishes like salmon with ponzu and teriyaki dressing. There are some really fun treats for dinner parties (G ‘n T popsicles, anyone?) and downhome comfort spoils. A great addition to your library of local chefs. – LW
Having one cook in the family is a stroke of luck; having two must be something special. Certainly, for twins Lebo and Tebo Ndalo, being able to embark on culinary adventures together has made an exciting career in cooking even more fun. In Food Stories, the sisters discuss how, exactly, that career came into being, dividing their recipes into sections that reflect the various stages in their kitchen evolution; from the USA stint that inspired their local twist on American classics (think boerewors corn dogs) to their selling at a flatbread street food stand – look out for the indulgent fig, walnut and goat’s cheese phyllo pizza. They’ve covered everything from high tea delights to desserts that make you put on weight just by looking at them and, as an antidote to the aforementioned cellulite incubators, some healthy options. Whether you’re just starting to flex your chef’s muscles or want to expand your repertoire to include some more exotic options, this book has loads to offer. – LW
Part of a series of books updated, tongue firmly in cheek, based on Enid Blyton’s classic kids’ titles but dealing with the Famous Five – Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy (the dog) as adults, Five Give Up The Booze raises a smile with its title alone. But, while you might expect some silly detour into debauchery for our heroes, there is instead a surprisingly poignant tone as the friends come to a collective realisation that their drinking habits are out of hand, and make an informal pact to try and slow down, starting with a dry January as part of their shared New Year’s resolution. Writer Bruno Vincent gives gentle but perceptive commentary about the challenges of making such behavioural adjustments via the story he outlines, and though it is all incredibly simple, a la the original tales, this fresh take allows for musing and thoughtfulness, which is an unexpected bonus. – BD