Spices weaved their way into my kitchen and somehow my collection seems to flourish regardless of the homes and locations I’ve lived in. From the author and chef of Cooking for my father in My Cape Malay Kitchen, comes a cookbook that chronicles her adulation and reverence for spices. Cariema Isaacs’s affinity for spices emanates from her Cape Malay heritage and her time spent cooking and baking in her grandmother’s kitchen in Bo-Kaap, the Cape Malay Quarter in Cape Town. Thus, at a very early age she understood the tastes derived from cumin and coriander, the pungency of fennel, cloves and star anise, and the piquancy of chilli powder, cayenne pepper and masala blends. Spice Odyssey showcases a multitude of beautifully written recipes with some familiar spices from her Cape Malay heritage and fresh aromatics from her travels to India, Turkey, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. ‘From east to west, north to south, the routes and journeys travelled from shore to shore by slaves and explorers, travellers and traders, the story of spices emerged and the spice odyssey began.’

The love language of the Cape Malays is food, and author Cariema Isaacs says tramakasie (thank you) every day that she gets to express herself in this way.

Modern Cape Malay Cooking, Cariema’s fourth cookbook, is a celebration of food and feasting, providing a contemporary view of Cape Malay cuisine and simple home cooking. The recipes showcase a blend of flavours that redefine the Cape Malay palate through modern ingredients and global influences. Though traditional Cape Malay cuisine and recipes have stood the test of time, adaptations have given rise to a culinary fusion. This is especially thanks to the Cape Malay millennial generation that craves popular dishes from the East and West, such as a comforting pasta or a quick stir-fry, but with a Cape Malay twist – this means it must be spicy, it must be saucy and it must be packed with flavour!

In Modern Cape Malay Cooking, Cariema shares the recipes and influences that have inspired these modern dishes, with simple ingredients and vibrant aromatics for anyone who is curious and courageous enough to create flavour.

My Cape Malay Kitchen is Cariema Isaacs’s heartfelt and poignant account of the extraordinary relationship between herself and her father and how that was reflected in their shared passion for food and cooking.

She recollects all of the dishes they cooked and ate together, and shares her childhood memories of growing up in Bo-Kaap (the Cape Malay Quarter in Cape Town), lending insight into the culture, religious ceremonies and family events that have shaped the Cape Malay community into what itis today. But My Cape Malay Kitchen is also a book about flavourful food, richly spiced curries, indulgent cakes and decadent desserts.

Cariema's refreshing approach to food showcases many of the much-loved Cape Malay vintage recipes as well as a selection of modern dishes, and is ideal for anyone who needs a little inspiration in the kitchen.