In Timeless South African, renowned cook and food writer Ilse van der Merwe has compiled a list of the top 101 iconic South African dishes – meals not only seen as ‘heritage food’, but dishes that are still relevant, recognisable, loved and prepared in many South African communities today. Well-researched and based on formal and informal discussions with chefs, members of the public and food lovers of different backgrounds, this book celebrates the country’s diverse cultures and culinary traditions, highlighting the history of each recipe as well as the modern ways in which they have been reinvented.

The dishes in this book – whether humble or celebratory – are paired with classically styled and vibrant photos.

Do you know your vetkoek from your amagwinya? Or your koeksisters from your koesisters? And do you know the interesting histories of bobotie, the gatsby, hertzoggies and Durban naan?

The more we share our food and our stories, the more we’ll be able to celebrate what unites us: being South African.

Soos vinkel en koljander, dís Najma Abrahams (Tietie) en Azba Fanie (Nanna). Dié twee TikTok-tuiskokke se hande staan vir niks verkeerd óf stil nie, veral nie vir die kospotte nie. Hul resepte is hartskos – niks fensie bestanddele nie, net geurige regte, egte huiskos met ’n Kaaps-Maleise twist.

Groenboontjiebredie, tamatiekos, split pea-sop en selfs die vergete sagobredie, blomkoolbredie, panfrikkadel, Nando’s-hoender, broodpoeding en dhaltjies eerlik gemaak, sonder fieterjasies – dit is mos die onopgesmukte huiskos waarna elkeen verlang. Die kerries is natuurlik ook daar – suikerboon-, hoender-, dhal- en mincekerrie, breyani, noem maar op. Snoek-in-die-oond, kerrievis en seekos-paella (times are tough, ’n mens moet maar ’n paar maande of so spaar daarvoor, sê die twee siezas) bring die see in jou kospotte. Vir “broke week” is daar sakpas-randrekkers soos dhanya-soesys, eierkerrie en spaghetti-en-sardyne. Tietie se peperminttert en lemon meringue is uit ’n ander wêreld en Nanna se braised skaapnek sal enige onthaaltafel laat kreun van smaakgenot. Mavrou, Tietie se lamsvleis-weergawe van dié tradisionele gereg wat in die Kaaps-Maleise kultuur by troues voorgesit word, is ’n tydlose treffer.

En moenie van die happies en lekkernye vergeet nie – dis nou die “soet en sout” waarmee Mzansi se mense grootgeword en die lewe om elke hoek en draai gevier het. Watertand-verleidings soos bollas, flapjacks, skons, snowballs, patatkoekies, sweetcorn fritters en vele meer. Samoesas en roti’s kry variasies in geure en kleure om van te droom. (Só sê Tietie: Roti is baie versatile – eet dit met kerrie, masala steak of selfs as ’n poeding. Dis tog te lekker met strawberries, strawberry jam en cream.)

Nou ja, as jy nie so ’n tuiskombuis geken het nie, is jy waarskynlik reeds daaraan voorgestel op Tietie en Nanna se kookprogram, Tietie en Nanna kook op VIA, kanaal 147 op DStv, of in hul stories en kwinkslae op Instagram en TikTok.

Met Tietie en Nanna se onfeilbare resepte, perfek beproef, kan elkeen weer huiskos, soos ons ma’s, oumas en tantes dit gemaak het, in hul eie kombuise opdis.

Reuben Riffel shares his secrets on how to get to flavour quicker... without the fuss.

I think every chef has a dream of how they’d cook for people in an ideal world… for me my dream scenario is definitely cooking with fire. There's a happiness that goes with cooking on a fire, a freedom and festive feel to it, that is what I love about it.

This book is about flavours first, the simplicity of cooking over fire. It’s not about how to braai, the technical stuff… rather just to share my enjoyment of cooking, and to encourage you to play and experiment with cooking over fire. You don’t have to be an expert braaimaster and slave over hot coals for hours. I like to see a fire as an extension of the kitchen, using the same spices and flavourings that I enjoy cooking with inside, but cooking over a fire for the extra flavour and a touch of smoke.

The recipes in this book are the tried and tested ones that got the thumbs up from friends and family, and range from incredibly simple to more creative. You’ll find different meats and seafoods, loads of vegetables and salads… and a good helping of quick and easy snacks to keep everyone happy kuiering by the fire while you cook the main event.

Jan Braai Junior  is a book for the next generation of braaiers in South Africa. Filled with a collection of Jan Braai’s very best braai recipes, simplified with easy-to-follow, step-bystep guidance, Jan Braai Junior can be enjoyed by kids and the whole family.
 
Jan Braai is the most interviewed person in the world on the topic of braai, and therefore a good judge of what people want to know about braaing. As a television presenter and head of the National Braai Day initiative, he has travelled extensively in southern Africa and the world, braaied often and with diverse people, in various beautiful places, using different techniques.
 
This user-friendly book covers all the fundamental braai knowledge every South African should have, using basic equipment and budget-conscious ingredients. And, with Jan Braai’s tips and advice, Jan Braai Junior will set you on your way to braaing like a champion for the rest of your life!

TikTok sensation and beloved home cook Nadia Caterina Munno, a.k.a. The Pasta Queen, presents a cookbook featuring the signature pasta tips and tricks that are 100% authentic to Italian traditions—and just as gorgeous as you are.

In the first-ever cookbook from TikTok star and social media sensation Nadia Caterina Munno—a.k.a. The Pasta Queen—Nadia is opening the recipe box from her online trattoria to share the dishes that have made her pasta royalty. In this delectable antipasto platter of over 100 recipes, cooking techniques, and the tales behind Italy’s most famous dishes (some true, some not-so-true), Nadia will guide you through the process of creating the perfect pasta, from a bowl of naked noodles to a dish large and complex enough to draw tears from the gods. Whether it’s her viral Pasta Al Limone, a classic Carbonara, or dish that’s entirely Nadia’s—like her famous Assassin’s Spaghetti—The Pasta Queen’s recipes will enchant even the newest of pasta chefs.

Featuring a colorful tour of Italy through stunning photographs and celebratory tales of the country’s rich culinary heritage, along with stories about Nadia’s own life and family, The Pasta Queen is a cookbook that will warm your heart, soothe your soul, and spice up your life. And best of all? It’s just gorgeous.

Jan Braai Junior  is ’n boek vir die volgende geslag braaiers in Suid-Afrika. Gevul met Jan Braai se heel beste braairesepte en vereenvoudig deur maklik-om-te-volg, stap-vir-stap instruksies, kan kinders en die hele gesin Jan Braai Junior geniet.
 
Jan Braai is die mens in die wêreld met wie die meeste onderhoude oor die onderwerp van braai gevoer word, en hy het dus ’n goeie begrip van wat mense oor braai wil weet. As ’n televisie-aanbieder en stigter van Nasionale Braaidag het hy wyd in Suider-Afrika en die wêreld gereis, en dikwels, op baie verskillende plekke en met behulp van verskillende tegnieke, saam met uiteenlopende mense gebraai.
 
Hierdie gebruikersvriendelike boek dek al die grondliggende braaikennis wat elke Suid-Afrikaner behoort te hê, met basiese toerusting en bekostigbare bestanddele. En met Jan Braai se wenke en raad sal Jan Braai Junior jou die eerste
treë laat gee om die res van jou lewe soos ’n kampioen te braai!