Best South African Cookbooks

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South African cuisine is famous for its vibrant flavors, unique ingredients, and fusion of different cultures. South Africa’s food is a melting pot of influences from indigenous ethnicities such as the Zulu, Xhosa, San, and more, Dutch, British & Portuguese, settlers, Indian and Malay immigrants, most often from finding their way to SA through the Dutch East India Company, and many, many others. Whether you’ve had the pleasure of sampling ‘braaivleis’ straight off the grid or have only dreamed of enjoying a hearty tomato bredie atop crumbly putu pap, good guidance and, at times, a simple setup is all that’s required. There’s everything you need to know in the upcoming best South African cookbooks available online. 

Key Takeaways

The Top 10 Best South African Cookbooks

If you’re looking to explore the rich and diverse flavors of South African cuisine, you’ve come to the right place. Each of these top ten best South African cookbooks will take you on a culinary journey through the rainbow nation’s history, culture, and evolution of traditions. From Cape Malay curry to bobotie, bunny chows, vetkoek and boerewors, these cookbooks have got you covered.

South African Cooking in the USA by Aileen Wilsen

  • Total Recipes: 170
  • Total Pages: 192
  • Recipes Preview: Vetkoek and Mince, Bobotie, Malva Pudding
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Bobotie
  • Affordability: Moderate

With none of the country’s classic dishes missing and foolproof guidance throughout, South African Cooking in the USA is easily one of the best cookbooks available for those with interest in the rainbow nation’s culinary traditions. The vast majority of recipes featured are perfected versions of traditional food from South Africa, whilst the rest have been elevated to the point where most would consider them to be new gourmet meals. It’s inspiring cookery that’s hard not to fall in love with, even if you’re completely new to the RSA’s food. 

Unlike most South African cookbooks released for international markets, South African Cooking in the USA has been perfectly adapted for the Western world. Measurements are imperial instead of metric. Both the authentic harder-to-find ingredients common to South Africa are listed with tips on how to find them, as well as viable substitutions. All of the recipes are easy to understand, and despite the lack of pictures for each dish, it’s almost impossible to go wrong when following the super-simple instructions.

About The Author: Former food consultant and author Aileen Wilsen brings her unique blend of cultural heritage and gastronomic expertise to the world. From her early days in Johannesburg to her current career as a culinary consultant, teacher, and writer, Aileen’s deep understanding of flavors and techniques has charmed foodies worldwide. 

Traditional South African Cooking by Pat Barton & Magdaleen van Wyk

  • Total Recipes: 180
  • Total Pages: 144
  • Recipes Preview: Waterblommetjiebredie, Chakalaka, Cape Malay Curry
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Green Pea Soup (Ertjiesop)
  • Affordability: Moderate

Traditional South African Cooking is a cookbook filled with cooked and baked goods that any local will have likely fallen in love with during their childhood. It’s not necessarily the biggest collection of gourmet meals and elevated classics but rather tried-and-tested recipes for all of the country’s favorite foods. Although basic in their essential construction, most recipes assume a degree of experience in the kitchen and often overlook simple steps such as how long to saute certain veggies and exact preparation insight like how to clean snoek (Thyrsites atun), fish heads and other localized ingredients. 

Potential readers should keep in mind that measurements are metric, so you’ll need to convert them for yourself. With this minor issue aside, Traditional South African Cooking truly delivers on its namesake. It is a cookbook that’ll inspire and guide even the most seasoned South African cooks while also serving as an excellent introduction for newcomers. As you may notice, this isn’t the longest cookbook in print, but it sure does manage to pack a lot of good info into a short space. 

About The Author: Embodying a passion for tradition and authenticity, Mpumalanga-based Pat Barton and Johannesburger Magdaleen van Wyk have joined forces to bring the essence of South African cooking to life. Pat’s unwavering dedication to preserving cultural, culinary customs pairs seamlessly with Magdaleen’s background as a food scientist and lecturer. 

The Complete South African Cookbook by Magdaleen van Wyk

  • Total Recipes: 650
  • Total Pages: 368
  • Recipes Preview: Bunny Chow, Geelrys (Yellow Rice), Melktert (Milk Tart)
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Sorrel Soup
  • Affordability: Moderate

The first thing that’ll blow readers away about The Complete South African Cookbook is the sheer amount of recipes available. As a book that’s been with us since 1980, no other cookbook can compare to its variety but be warned, there are no pictures or illustrations whatsoever. Yet, between the old-world layout and abundance of difficult-to-find recipes for timeless South African delicacies, you’ll have to look long and hard to find a cooking reference that compares. 

The Complete South African Cookbook is a modern reprint of a classic that’s retained every last detail that made it so renowned in the first place. As a result, cooks will be doing the metric-imperial conversions manually (with the help of the supplied table), and those unfamiliar with the country’s cookery will most likely have to Google Image most of the recipes to get an idea of what they’re aiming for. Cookbook collectors, RSA ex-pats, and foodies driven to know the details of South Africa’s most iconic meals are sure to fall in love with this great cookbook. 

About The Author: Magdaleen van Wyk, a true force in the world of South African cuisine, has dedicated her life to exploring the culinary landscape of her homeland. Her ability to make traditional recipes accessible to all has earned her a well-deserved place in the hearts of both amateur cooks and seasoned chefs, spreading the magic of South African flavors far and wide.

The Classic South African Cookbook by Melinda Roodt

  • Total Recipes: 180+
  • Total Pages: 656
  • Recipes Preview: Krummelpap, Crumbed Prawns, Camembert, And Fig Parcels
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Mealie And Cheese Croquettes 
  • Affordability: Moderate

Where most other South African cookbooks deliver the country’s most iconic, traditional recipes, The Classic South African Cookbook offers up a refreshing selection of may be best referred to as fusion food. Many of the recipes lend from exotic culinary traditions commonplace in South Africa but not of its origin. Readers can look forward to South Africanized Italian food, Mediterranean cuisine, Indian-inspired dishes, and more. With full-color photographs for each meal and refreshingly innovative recipes abound, it’s a wonderfully laid-out cookbook. 

The Classic South African Cookbook is the perfect choice for those who are already familiar with the country’s local cuisine and are looking for inspiring new creations to try. Common criticisms include the author’s use of premade ingredients which are hard to find outside of South Africa or a specialty store, and the lack of coverage for ‘potjiekos’ recipes. Yet, all other cooking styles are there with ample options to pick from, and every last recipe comes with foolproof instructions without any cooking experience being assumed or needed. 

About The Author: Senior pastor at Delta Community Church in Vereeniging, Melinda Roodt’s culinary journey began in the kitchens of her South African childhood, where she developed a deep love for traditional recipes and techniques. As an author and recipe developer, Melinda’s commitment to preserving the authenticity and diversity of South African cuisine has made her a leading authority in the field. 

Simply Seven Colours by Zola Nene

  • Total Recipes: Unspecified
  • Total Pages: 176
  • Recipes Preview: Chicken & Apricot Sosaties, Zola’s Feasts Spiced Spinach & Mushrooms, Creamy Brussel Sprouts
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Isigwamba (Spinach Pap)
  • Affordability: Moderate

Simply Seven Colours serves up a fresh approach to South African cooking. The entire cookbook is chaptered into seven colors: green, yellow, orange, brown, white, and red, and a rainbow of colors with a separate dessert section. Each chapter is filled with colorful recipes spanning main meals and sides, each reflective of its namesake. By picking recipes from each chapter, the reader is guided through creating their very own multi-color South African meal. 

Modern South African cooking doesn’t get much better than the brilliant meals put forth by Simply Seven Colours. The food photography accompanying each recipe is some of the best seen and cuts out all the guesswork. Cooks always know exactly what results to aim for. It’s one of the easiest cookbooks for beginners to follow, with guidance that’s sure to instill cooks with new and better skills in the kitchen. Even though the flavor combinations are distinctive to South Africa, there’ll be no difficulty tracking down any of the ingredients without the need for a specialty store. 

About The Author: Former MasterChef South Africa judge Zola Nene has risen to become a celebrated international chef, TV personality, blogger, and author. The Durbanite media superstar’s love for simple, flavorful dishes, combined with her flair for innovation, has earned her a loyal following among food enthusiasts locally and abroad. To get a better feel for her food and what to expect, check out the author’s Zola’s Feasts on YouTube

My Cape Malay Kitchen: Cooking for my Father by Cariema Isaacs

  • Total Recipes: 80
  • Total Pages: 208
  • Recipes Preview: Cauliflower Bredie, Wortelbredie (Carrot Bredie – South African Stew), Roti
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Koeksisters
  • Affordability: Low

Cape Malay cuisine is a hybrid of traditional South African, Indonesian, and Indian cuisine, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of Cape Town’s Malay community. This unique form of food is characterized by the use of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric, as well as dried fruit and chilies. My Cape Malay Kitchen is a cookbook that takes the reader through heritage dishes and more modern meals with a charming narrative that also explains the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the food and community covered. 

If you’re the type of reader who enjoys storytelling and personal reflections on historical and societal insights, My Cape Malay Kitchen is the autobiographical cookbook for you. There’s no other publication that dives as deeply into the cuisine and heritage of Cape Town’s Cape Malay Quarter. The recipes span everything from rich, sumptuous curries to indulgently sweet desserts, effectively showcasing the full range of vibrant flavors and ingredients common to Bo-Kaap cooking. 

About The Author: Cariema Isaacs, a culinary virtuoso and devoted daughter, has crafted a deeply personal connection with her Cape Malay heritage through her cooking. The Schotsche Kloof, Bo-Kaap-born chef’s journey began in her father’s kitchen, where she learned the art of blending spices and creating soulful dishes. Today, she is renowned worldwide and locally in the RSA for her ability to enliven classic dishes with new exciting flavors. 

The World’s Best Potjiekos Recipes: 250 Recipes from Potjiekosworld.com

  • Total Recipes: 250
  • Total Pages: 350
  • Recipes Preview: Biltong And Mushroom Potjie, Curried Pens, And Pootjies, Ostrich Fillet With Green Peppercorns
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Ratatouille In A Potjie
  • Affordability: Moderate

Potjiekos is a mouthwatering South African culinary treasure loved by all cultures throughout the rainbow nation. This slow-cooked sensation is prepared in a cast iron pot, called a “potjie,” and features a delectable medley of meats, vegetables, and spices, which simmer to perfection over an open flame. No other form of international cuisine is precisely the same as potjiekos, but for those who haven’t yet tried it, both slow-cooked French cassoulet and Spanish cocido are similar. Few books cover this delicacy well, but The World’s Best Potjiekos Recipes stands apart from other localized cookbooks as a complete discourse on one of the country’s oldest traditional foods. 

Readers will fall in love with its easy-to-follow instructions, mouthwatering photography, and invaluable tips for mastering the art of potjiekos. The World’s Best Potjiekos Recipes is an indispensable guide for novices and seasoned potjie aficionados eager to recreate the magic of South Africa’s most beloved dishes at their own homes. No matter how much you know about potjiekos, this is the cookbook for you, with endless recipes and variations ready to instruct and inspire.

About The Author: As the creative force behind the blog Potjiekosworld.com, the team has meticulously curated a treasure trove of 250 tantalizing recipes that celebrate South Africa’s beloved potjiekos tradition. Their collective expertise and commitment to preserving this culinary art form have made their collection an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to sample the rich, smoky flavors of potjiekos.

A Taste of South Africa with the Kosher Butcher’s Wife by Sharon Lurie

  • Total Recipes: Unspecified
  • Total Pages: 224
  • Recipes Preview: Jislaaik Ribelicious Ribs, Biltong, Bobba Shar’s No-Bake Melterk
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Tickled Pink Brisket
  • Affordability: Moderate

South African Jewish cuisine opens up a glorious new world of meal possibilities. Each of the recipes in A Taste of South Africa with the Kosher Butcher’s Wife is an iconic example of proudly South African food for carnivores. As a book written by a real Kosher butcher’s wife, all the recipes are constructed around meat and dairy, with tons of bread-based creations too. It’s the ideal book for those who want to explore outdoor barbecuing as well as those who want to elevate their ribs, steak, and other meaty meals. 

Most would consider each and every last recipe to be best-in-class. For example, the biltong recipe is just about perfect, and you’d have to look long and hard to find a better milk tart. Often straightforward Jewish dishes like Challah are transformed into gourmet creations with South African flair. There’s no going wrong when following the instructions, as you’re led by vivid food photography and sincere-yet-humorous storytelling. If you eat meat, are Jewish, or either hail from, or are interested in South African cooking, A Taste of South Africa with the Kosher Butcher’s Wife is the cookbook for you. 

About The Author: As the wife of a kosher butcher and fourth-generation butcher herself, the Johannesburg-based Sharon Lurie gained immense firsthand knowledge of kosher cooking and meat preparation. Lurie combines her love for South African cuisine with her Jewish heritage to create delicious, kosher-friendly recipes that celebrate both culinary worlds. 

Growing up South African, Cookbook: A selection of 50 favorite home cooked food recipes, from across the whole region of South Africa by Verushka Pillay

  • Total Recipes: 50
  • Total Pages: Unspecified
  • Recipes Preview: Shisha Nyama-Burn Meat, Amadumbe Zulu (Boiled/Steam Taro Root), Durban Masala Fried Fish
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Cape Malay Pickled Fish
  • Affordability: Moderate

With just fifty recipes, Growing up South African, Cookbook is a short read but one that’s filled with the country’s most iconic dishes. The quality of presentation and publishing alone makes this cookbook well-worthy of consideration, but it’s the sheer all-encompassing quality spanning everything from the final cooked products to inspiring meal construction that makes it a winner. It’s also one of the most approachable recipe collections, featuring food that just about anyone will be able to make no matter where in the world they may be. 

There’s a great balance of food from across South Africa featured in Growing up South African. From must-try Afrikaner cuisine to Cape Malay classics, traditional Zulu meals, and Xhosa dishes, it’s all waiting. The author lists key recipes for spice blends, curry powders, and the like that are hard to find outside of South Africa but super easy to make using readily-available ingredients in most US stores, given of course, the insightful guidance provided by this book. 

About The Author: Verushka Pillay, a culinary storyteller and proud South African, has captured the essence of her upbringing through a nostalgic collection of 50 treasured recipes. With a deep understanding of regional flavors and a passion for home-cooked meals, the Durban-based author invites readers to experience the warmth and love of South African cuisine.

The South African Gluten-free Cookbook by Jenny Kay

  • Total Recipes: 100
  • Total Pages: 152
  • Recipes Preview: Banana Oat Crumpets, Breakfast Rosti, Ricotta Hotcakes
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Berry Oat Bars
  • Affordability: Moderate

The South African Gluten-free Cookbook may be one of the only South African gluten-free cookbooks available, but it is also a superbly straightforward reference filled with no-fail recipes. Those already familiar with gluten-free cooking are unlikely to find anything new to learn in terms of core ingredients and techniques, but the meals are all modern incarnations of classic South African cuisine, and come out tasting great.

Each recipe is accompanied by a full-color photograph which is sure to assist with plating while all of the instructions are streamlined to the point where even novices to the kitchen and busy cooks will be able to pull them off to perfection. There is very little information concerning gluten-free living, so don’t expect a guidebook to the diet and lifestyle but instead rather a collection of easy recipes alone. South African baking and desserts are in particular focus, but the balance of meals covers all tastes and meal times. 

About The Author: As an advocate for accessible and healthy cuisine, Jenny Kay has made it her mission to create delectable, gluten-free recipes that capture the heart of South African cooking. Drawing from her own experiences with dietary restrictions, the seasoned cookbook author skillfully adapts traditional dishes for a modern audience.

Best South African Vegetarian & Vegan Cookbooks

These vegetarian and vegan South African cookbooks are sure to inspire a host of new meal ideas while delivering must-try recipes that will satisfy your taste buds no matter which diet you follow. 

The Vegetarian Option by Jan Braai

  • Total Recipes: Unspecified
  • Total Pages: 200
  • Recipes Preview: Butternut Lasagne Potjie, Coal-Baked Potato, And Onion With Mushroom Sauce, Mosbolletjies With Braaied Banana Butter 
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: The Bean Rogan Josh
  • Affordability: Low

For many vegetarians, and vegans for that matter, the South African act of barbecuing over hot coals, termed braaing locally, is a practice notoriously neglected. After all, South Africa is famous for its focus on meat. This is where The Vegetarian Option aims to change things. Between its covers, you will find an inspired collection of meat-free meals that are all meant to be braaied. This means that they’re equally suited to all other forms of grilling as well. Vegetarian counterparts to the country’s favorite foods from this cookbook come out amazingly good and far better than the originals to many. 

A glance at the chapters alone will make most dive into this book. There are braaibroodjies (bread intended for barbecue-based baking) & burgers, breakfasts, pasta & risotto potjies (cast iron hot pot recipes), vegetable dishes, ‘awesome ideas’ with unconventional recipes like Umngqusho (samp and beans) and pizza on a “braai,” curries, soup, mieliepap & bread (porridge similar to grits) and desserts. The Vegetarian Option is a fantastic pick for all vegetarians, vegans, and those looking to eat more plants, whether or not you’re actually drawn to South African national cuisine. 

About The Author: Jan Braai is a trailblazer in the world of South African grilling who has braaied alongside thousands of people publically every year on the nation’s National Braai Day. He has made it his mission to redefine the way we think about braai-based cooking. The non-vegetarian Jan has harnessed his extensive knowledge of flavors and techniques to create a revolutionary collection of dishes that celebrate the South Africa.

Vegan Africa: Plant-Based Recipes from Ethiopia to Senegal by Marie Kacouchia

  • Total Recipes: 70+
  • Total Pages: 192
  • Recipes Preview: Sweet Potato And Kidney Bean Stew, Egusi Stew (African Pistachio Stew), Jollof Rice
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Chapati (East African Flatbread)
  • Affordability: Low

Vegan Africa: Plant-Based Recipes from Ethiopia to Senegal is not an exclusively South African cookbook but rather features iconic dishes from over fifteen different countries across Africa. A great number of these meals do not hail from RSA but are enjoyed throughout the nation. More familiar recipes include elevated vegan versions of chakalaka (spicy vegetable relish), geelrys (yellow rice with raisins), and bobotie (ground beef casserole), among others. 

The author details preparation clearly and concisely. Almost all of the recipes utilize relatively easy-to-source ingredients. Common traditional serving tips are listed atop most of the creations, while others grant context into flavor combinations and the reasons behind the meal’s composition itself. Overall, Vegan Africa is a gorgeous cookbook with beautiful publishing, easy navigation, and fresh, innovative Africanized vegan recipes that are sure to inspire endless new meals of the reader’s own machinations. 

About The Author: Parisian author Marie Kacouchia has called both France and the Ivory Coast home. As a result, she manages to capture the passion of African food culture and the continent’s history perfectly through her writing. Kacouchia’s love and respect for the continent’s cuisine are evident in every recipe published. 

Best South African Braai Cookbooks

‘Howzit,’ or rather, hi there if you’re unfamiliar with South African slang. Are you looking for a braai cookbook to finally sample the country’s uniquely spiced or marinated, fire-roasted meat firsthand or perhaps to impress your friends at the next outdoor gathering? Look no further. We have compiled a list of the best South African braai cookbooks that will make your taste buds dance. You’ll be mastering the art of outdoor barbecuing, South African style, in no time.

Braai by Jan Braai

  • Total Recipes: 80+
  • Total Pages: 200
  • Recipes Preview: Lamb Curry Sosaties, Boerewors Rolls With Tomato-Chilli Relish, Bratkartoffel
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Sirloin Pepper Steak Flambe
  • Affordability: Moderate

If you are looking for a true taste of South Africa’s unique spin on outdoor cooking, Braai is the book for you. As a uniquely South African cookbook, its recipes often take shortcuts, recommending canned products and the like, but every single creation comes out with exemplary flavor. Each also takes full advantage of what cooking over hot coals has to offer. Both braaing and cooking potjiekos are covered, and all of the recipes are easy enough for newcomers to outdoor barbecuing to pull off without running into any difficulty. 

Braai is a truly traditional South African outdoor barbecue book built around meat and seafood. Besides a few salads and different types of bread, there isn’t much to offer vegetarians or vegans. Those unfamiliar with cooking over a fire pit/wood-based grill will love the selection of tips offered by the author. As it clearly states, this is not only a recipe book but rather a complete guide to braaing, South African style.

About The Author:  For even more great South African barbecue recipes, be sure to check out Jan’s newer release, Shisanyama: Braai (Barbeque) Recipes from South Africa. Readers will find its dishes to be more gourmet than Braai. A greater range of ethnic diversity of food is also covered. 

Best South African Braai Recipes by Christa Kirstein

  • Total Recipes: Unspecified
  • Total Pages: 96
  • Recipes Preview: Boerewors, Frikkadels (Afrikaans Meatballs), Sosaties (Meat Skewers)
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Malva Pudding
  • Affordability: High

To give you a better idea of what an ongoing resource this has been to South African cuisine, Best South African Braai recipes has been in circulation in South Africa since 1986 and has accrued over one hundred thousand sales. Despite being fairly short in comparison to more recently released books, this cookbook is sure to become the go-to resource for anyone who enjoys South African barbecuing. The author manages to condense a massive amount of invaluable information into concise sentences and short paragraphs. 

Best South African Braai Recipes will open up a whole new world of flavor combinations and barbecuing techniques to those unfamiliar with “braaing” and the country’s cuisine in general. It is also a fantastic source of insight into barbecuing for experienced cooks. From selecting the right cuts of meat and preparation steps to perfecting the grill itself, there’s nothing lacking. 

About The Author: Christa Kirstein, a seasoned braai enthusiast and culinary expert has dedicated her life to exploring the art of South African grilling. With a wealth of experience and a deep passion for local flavors, the bestselling author has become an authority on crafting mouthwatering braai dishes that showcase the country’s rich culinary heritage. 

Best Print Only South African Cookbooks

If you’re looking for some culinary inspiration and a collection of tantalizing recipes from South Africa to have on hand, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the best print-only South African cookbooks that you should add to your collection.

Hosting with Lazy Makoti: A celebration of food by Mogau Seshoene

  • Total Recipes: 100+
  • Total Pages: 216
  • Recipes Preview: Seven-Colour Rice, Chicken And Rice Soup, Boerewors Curry
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Sorghum Rainbow Salad
  • Affordability: Low

Hosting with Lazy Makoti: A celebration of food is the perfect cookbook for anyone who wants to host a true feast, South African style. Yet, you’ll find ample meals for singles too. There are few cookbooks that include such a diverse range of food while always keeping the essential recipe construction and methodology relatively simple. Readers will be inspired by the fresh ideas on culinary classics, which fortunately always stay true to traditions and tastes. 

Instead of celebrating only South African cuisine, a full fusion of the country’s favorite flavors is offered. Zimbabwean, Nigerian, Ethiopian, and Ghanaian meals are all included in addition to common Rainbow Nation staples. Expect to find a great balance of vegetarian, meat, and fish dishes and a good variety of cooking styles, from baking to grilling featured. There’s only a handful of desserts, but fortunately, each one is a fine example of South Africa’s influence on food and couldn’t be better. 

About The Author: Mogau Seshoene, affectionately known as Lazy Makoti, who runs the eponymous popular food platform, The Lazy Makoti, has made it her mission to create a celebration of food that reflects the diverse tastes and traditions of South Africa. Her approachable style, coupled with her keen understanding of local flavors and techniques, has made her a much-loved figure in the culinary world who has appeared on countless local television shows. 

Cook and Enjoy It by SJA de Villiers

  • Total Recipes: 700
  • Total Pages: 255
  • Recipes Preview: Ham And Asparagus Bake, Bean Soup, Smooth Apricot Jam
  • The Best Recipe We Want To Try: Oxtail Soup
  • Affordability: Low

While tricky and often pricy to procure outside of the RSA, Cook and Enjoy It is largely considered to be the best South African cookbook ever released. The original release in Afrikaans has seen several editions over the years and is estimated to have sold well in excess of half a million copies. This English translation is pure gold to anyone dedicated to perfecting South Africa’s cuisine. It’s a book over fifty years old but still remains current thanks to its inspiring recipe ideas and ultra-detailed guidance.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind when considering Cook and Enjoy It. Readers will have to do the conversions themselves, as everything is stated in metric. It’s not the book for those looking to explore food from Xhosa, Malay, Zulu, or Venda culture or any of the other nine-plus nationalities occupying the country.

The focus is on Afrikaner heritage dishes and traditional meals from South Africa’s pre-apartheid years, but the detailed recipes cannot be faulted.

About The Author: SJA de Villiers, a pioneer in the world of South African cuisine, has left an indelible mark on the country’s culinary landscape through her iconic work, Cook and Enjoy It. Stoffelina Johanna Adriana Ina de Villiers has crafted a timeless collection of dishes that have inspired generations of cooks. Her enduring influence can be felt in kitchens across the country and around the world, cementing her legacy in the annals of culinary history.

Best South African Cookbooks – Frequently Asked Questions

Have you been left wondering anything about South African cuisine? We have the answers to all your frequently asked questions waiting. 

What Is The Difference Between Braai And Barbecue?

The main difference between a braai and a barbecue lies in the cultural context, cooking methods, and fuel types. A braai is a South African tradition, whereas barbecue is more common in American and other global contexts. Braais typically use wood or charcoal as fuel, imparting a distinct smoky flavor to the food, while barbecues often use gas or charcoal. The cooking methods also differ; braai focuses on direct grilling over high heat, leading to a charred, crispy exterior, while barbecue can involve both direct grilling and slow, indirect cooking for a tender, smoky finish. Although both traditions involve cooking meat and vegetables outdoors, these differences in technique and fuel lead to unique flavors and textures in the resulting dishes prepared.

What Are Traditional South African Foods?

Iconic dishes include but are not limited to biltong (cured, dried meat similar to jerky), boerewors (spiced sausage), bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping), bunny chow (hollowed-out bread filled with curry), koeksisters (deep-fried, syrup-soaked dough), malva pudding (spongy, sweet dessert), melktert (milk tart), pap (maize porridge), potjiekos (slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew), samp and beans (dried corn kernels and beans), and vetkoek (deep-fried dough bread, served with savory or sweet fillings). Vegans and vegetarians have to check out our ultra-easy recipe for mushroom vegetarian plantong. It’s oyster mushrooms and just the right ingredients to impart the same texture and flavor experience South African biltong is famous for. 

What Is A Braai?

A braai is a South African term for a social gathering centered around outdoor grilling or barbecuing. The word “braai” derives from the Afrikaans word “braaivleis,” which means grilled meat and can also be used to refer to the outdoor fireplace itself where food is cooked atop coals on a grill, potjie, or smoker. It is a cooking method similar to the American barbecue, Australian barbie, or Argentinian asado, where meat and other foods are cooked over an open flame, usually using wood or charcoal as fuel. Commonly prepared meals at a braai include boerewors (spiced sausages), marinated chicken, and steaks, among others. 

What Is Potjiekos?

Potjiekos is a traditional South African dish featuring slow-cooked meat and vegetables in a round, cast-iron pot called a “potjie.” The name “potjiekos” translates to “small pot food” in Afrikaans. The cooking style shares similarities with Dutch oven cooking and other global one-pot meal traditions. The dish typically involves layering ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, and starches, inside the potjie, which is placed over a wood or charcoal fire. Popular potjiekos variations include oxtail and vegetable, lamb and tomato, and chicken and mushroom. Unlike stews, potjiekos ingredients are not stirred during cooking, allowing each component to retain its distinct flavor while melding with the other ingredients, creating a rich, flavorful dish.

What Is Boerewors, And How Is It Made? 

Boerewors is a popular South African sausage, traditionally made with beef and pork, although game and other meats are sometimes used. It has a distinctive coriander and vinegar flavor and is typically coiled into a spiral shape. Boerewors is made by mixing ground meat with spices, vinegar, and sometimes other ingredients such as bread crumbs or oats to create a paste, which is then stuffed into natural or synthetic casings. Boerewors has similarities to sausages such as German bratwurst or British bangers, but with a uniquely South African flavor profile and fattier texture.


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