The UK may have their Mrs Beeton, and the USA Julia Child, but we have Mrs SJA De Villiers, author of Cook and Enjoy. This enlightening cookbook, first published in Afrikaans in 1951, is still the bible to most South African cooks, both English and Afrikaans. It has sold over one million copies and gone through numerous updates. The latest edition of Cook & Enjoy, in English as well as one in Afrikaans (Kook & Geniet), has been completely revised by the original author’s daughter. The new edition, published in 2009, combines a readable, modern feel with the classic look of the original.
It contains everything you need to know about cooking – from measuring ingredients and operating ovens to the preparation of vegetables and meat, and how to freeze foods, along with more than 700 recipes, specially tested – from breakfasts to mixed drinks, and recipes for large function catering. A large number of the dishes are beloved South African favourites. There’s also a great section about preserving foods.
The one cookery title that no South African home can do without. At Wickedfood Cooking School we use this book as a consent sauce of reference, especially for our South African cooking classes, as well as at Wickedfood Earth for ideas on preserving the bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables.