When we eat al fresco – outside, beyond the confines of four walls – everyday meals become a heady combination of fresh air and flavours, of outdoor sounds and natural views. Whether that ‘outside’ is our own backyard, garden, patio or stoep, seaside caravan park, bushveld or the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains, it makes little difference because we come away energized, nurtured and deeply satisfied. And if preparing those meals doesn’t require conventional electricity during the dreaded loadshedding, well, that’s just the cherry on the top!

In Easy Al Fresco, Ilse van der Merwe offers a simple and inspiring guide for fabulous, easy and scrumptious dishes that can all be prepared with a limited range of basic utensils, and a fire or kettle braai. As Ilse says, this should be the only book you pack for your next trail hike, fishing weekend, game reserve trip or seaside holiday. From breads, spreads, appetisers, salads and sandwiches, through to mains and desserts, Ilse has you covered.

So what are you waiting for? Light the fire, grab a whisk and turn the pages of Easy Al Fresco – you’ll never look back.

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.

Vandag vra kinders baie vroeer as wat die geval was met hul ouers vrae oor fisiese veranderings tydens puberteit en dinge wat hiermee verband hou. Hulle word vinniger groot en bereik puberteit vroeer as ooit tevore. Tog vermy baie ouers steeds seksopvoeding of ignoreer dit bloot vanwee onkunde of ongemak. Hierdie boek is die antwoord! Dit is geskryf vir kinders tussen 8 en 13 in 'n maklike formaat van vrae en antwoorde met prettige illustrasies. Dis ook vir ouers 'n onmisbare gids om hul kinders se vrae ingelig, reguit, sensitief en met humor te kan beantwoord.