Take a look at this list of 10 selected South African cookbooks for the best experiences of local, Malay, Dutch, and French influences. Until now, South Africa is considered the most international country in Africa with a mature tourism industry. There are so many things to do and see in this country, from going on safari to visiting townships or taking an indulgent food and wine tours in the Cape to visiting a culinary paradise in Durban.
Today, the number of South Africans migrating around the world is also relatively large, so you no longer have to travel very far to experience its cuisine. While practically nothing beats the authentic experience travel offers, through a list of 10 South African cookbooks from top culinary experts, you can experience the true taste of South Africa is closer than you think.
South African Cooking in the USA
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“Recipes are so easy to follow, and the taste is just amazing!”- Myrina
Inside this small cookbook contains more than 170 attractive South African dishes, tweaked, and perfected for easy preparation in the American kitchen. The author offers a wide range of dishes, from snacks and appetizers to entrees and decadent desserts. Certainly, South African Cooking dishes in the United States will inspire varied and delicious three-course meals. Some of the favorites you can find in this book include:
- Samoosas
- Bunny Chow
- Peppadew dip
- Hot Durban Curry
- Monkeygland Steak
- Chakalaka
- Bobotie
- Buttermilk Rusks
- Melktert
- Oxtail Stew
- Hot Cross buns
- And much more!
This book will be an indispensable part of the cookbook collection for those who love their country and want to find their homeland again.
About the author: Aileen Wilsen is a food writer and consultant based in Arizona, and works as a science writer/editor in Seattle. She was born and raised in South Africa, then moved to the US in 2008. For much of her career, Ailee has been devoted to developing recipes, first creating quick recipes for a canning company, which then develops recipes with instant food lines for companies that supply two large supermarket chains (Woolworths and Pick ‘n Pay).
Ailee Wilsen is also co-author of the “Essential South African Cooking in the USA: 25 Traditional Recipes” book, which will be presented shortly.
Essential South African Cooking in the USA: 25 Traditional Recipes
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“Nice easy recipes with yummy flavors something you can give as a gift and people from other countries can enjoy them they are that easy”- UtahRural
South African cuisine reflects a delicious fusion of African, European, and Eastern flavors and cooking styles. You will be presented with a collection of 25 traditional South African recipes. Each recipe includes photos of the prepared food.
You will find in this collection of delicious and easy to make Rainbow Nation recipes like samoosas, vetkoek, malva pudding, bobotie, mock waterblommetjiebredie, milk tart, and buttermilk rusks.
Traditional South African Cooking
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“Interesting read, nice photographs, I look forward to trying the recipes which look reliable – no tricks and twists”- Mrs. Carol A Blackham
Anyone who craves the famous milk tart or melkkos, delicious bobotie or vetkoek, should have this book in their kitchen!
You will be offered and introduced to various dishes and drinks divided into separate sections such as:
Soups, Starters & Snacks; Poultry; Meat; Fish & Seafood; Vegetables, Salads & Side Dishes; Desserts; Biscuits, Scones, Cakes & Sweet Tarts; Sweets & Sweetmeats: Preserves, Jams & Jellies; Bread and Rusks; Pickles & Chutneys; Fruit Drinks, Beers & Liqueurs; Game & Game Birds; Index.
About the author: Magdaleen van Wyk is a former lecturer in the Department of Consumer Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Stellenbosch and currently a nutritionist. Renowned for her ability to use delicately and imaginative, fresh ingredients, she has created numerous cooking articles on diet and nutrition.
“The Complete South African Cookbook” is another cookbook by Magdaleen van Wyk and presented below.
The Complete South African Cookbook
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“It doesn’t have too many illustrations but has some very interesting and tasty-sounding recipes, and the recipient was delighted.”- Margaret
This timeless bestselling cookbook will guide food preparation, advice on storage and freezing, and provide step-by-step instructions on basic cooking methods, useful methods, and accompanying recommendations.
You will be provided with over 650 basic, easy-to-prepare recipes along with many delicious variations. Each recipe is clearly presented and comes with helpful advice on whether the food is suitable for freezing.
This will be the perfect book for beginners, but it is also an indispensable reference for experienced chefs.
The Classic South African Cookbook
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“Fantastic selection of South African recipes. Beautifully presented”- Capetowngirl
In this classic South African cookbook, you will have access to over 180 recipes using only freshly refined ingredients to ensure compelling results, no matter where you are at any skill level. At the same time, the different cooking techniques will be carefully explained by the author so that those who just started the culinary journey can still easily succeed. Especially, each recipe is illustrated by colorful photos.
About the author: Melinda Roodt is also a public speaker, a musician, and a seasoned host.
She has organized several cooking courses for more than 360 women at home. She also manages her own rusk and biscuit label (Mel’s Kitchen) and undertakes oil painting commissions.
A Taste of South Africa with the Kosher Butcher’s Wife
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“Nice cookbook with mouth-watering recipes. Love it”- GF
After wildly successful outings with the delicious recipes in her first two books, Sharon Lurie decided to officially launch it.
In the book “A Taste of South Africa with the Kosher Butcher’s Wife,” you’ll have the opportunity to embark on an adventure that includes a variety of iconic dishes from the country. You will find not only meat and nondairy recipes, but also enticing dairy dishes to dive into. In particular, with Sharon’s inimitable style, you’ll laugh along the way.
About the author: Sharon Lurie contributed recipes to local and international media sites, then wrote Cooking with the Kosher Butcher’s Wife – the first award-winning book by she and has become a trusted name in the field of kosher cooking.
Sharon owns her own cooking show on Chai FM radio. In addition, she also consults and creates interesting kosher recipes with free, kosher products.
South African Cuisine: Recipes of Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
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“Interesting collection of recipes from an area of the world I know little about. A useful expansion of my cooking recipes collection”- dbibb
South African cuisine features recipes from Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and many South Africa parts, such as Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Moreover, you will feel the diversity of these regions’ food, along with many recipes with bold flavors of British and Dutch food. This book is an easy and fun way to start an authentic experience of South African culture.
About the author: J. R. Stevens is the author of this book. Also, he has many other books that always receive different appreciation from customers. Typically, some of his following books may be named:
- Texas Roadhouse Copycat Cookbook: Replicate This Restaurant’s Recipes at Home
- The Unauthorized Panera Bread Copycat Cookbook: Current Classics and Forgotten Favorites
- Fair Food Recipes: Famous Food Found at State & County Fairs
- The Cheesecake Factory: The Unofficial Copycat Recipe Cookbook
- Maggiano’s Copycat Cookbook: Little Italy Restaurant
An Explosion of Flavor: The Easiest Way to learn and Enjoy South African Cuisine
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“Great recipes. Clear instructions. This is a useful book.”- Mrs. R
Through South African cuisine, we can see that this is a wonderful country with a great heritage. Their dishes are delicious and deeply satisfying to anyone.
You will find in this book detailed instructions on how to cook everything South African style from a plate of Yellow rice to delicious and delicious bread, which promises to take you on the path to success with South African cuisine.
About the author: Sophia is the author of this book. Also, Sophia has many other books that always receive different appreciation from customers. Typically, some of the author’s following books may be named:
- Some Homey Cooking: Over 25 Easy to Make, Mouthwatering Oven-Baked Meals for The Entire Family
- The Best Dutch Oven Cookbook: Simple Easy-to-Prepare Dutch Oven Recipes
- Colorful Vibrant Indian Recipes: A Comprehensive Indian Cookbook
- The Ultimate Steak Cookbook: Mouthwatering Steak Recipes You Can’t Get Enough Of
- Intermittent Fasting Made Easy: Recipe and Guide Book for IF Dieters
- A Comprehensive European Cookbook: 50 European Dishes You’d Love to Prepare at Home
- The High-Calcium Cookbook: 50 Simple Delicious Calcium-Packed Recipes
The South African Illustrated Cookbook
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“GREAT food there, though, especially what the Native Africans cook. Thanks for this great cookbook, got some great original recipes.”- J. Hamilton
South Africa Illustrated Cookbook is a collection of recipes familiar to South Africans from all walks of life. It includes English, Indian, Afrikaans, Cape Malay, Xhosa, Portuguese, Zulu, and new South African dishes.
Lehla Eldridge has researched and captured various landmarks across South Africa (both formal and informal) to accompany every recipe she has learned from cooks across the country.
Her charming and comical watercolor illustrations can give a sense of the country’s diverse and rich influences. This book will be a great gift for a culinary traveler.
About the author: Lehla Eldridge is a part-time actress and a talented young illustrator living between South Africa and the UK. In addition, she is a cook who has spent a significant part of her life in and around the kitchen. Lehla Eldridge currently lives in Cape Town and South Africa. Illustrated Cookbook is her first book.
170 South African Recipes: South African Cookbook – Your Best Friend Forever
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“Great cookbook. Excited to start”- Nancy
With the book “170 South African Recipes”, you will learn how to prepare delicious South African dishes from the local market’s ingredients. Through detailed instructions presented by the author, you can easily succeed with every dish in this book to enjoy a great taste right in your small kitchen.
About the author: Marti Loza is a culinary specialist with a deep understanding of many different cuisines. Some of the author’s other titles can be named, such as:
- 100 Tasty Holiday Breakfast Recipes: Holiday Breakfast Cookbook – Your Best Friend Forever
- 100 Kosher Hanukkah Recipes: Making More Memories in your Kitchen with Kosher Hanukkah Cookbook!
- 101 Special Spicy Main Dish Recipes: Spicy Main Dish Cookbook – All The Best Recipes You Need are Here!
- 100 Healthy Spinach Recipes: Healthy Spinach Cookbook – Your Best Friend Forever
- 155 Fall Recipes: A Fall Cookbook for Your Gathering
- 101 Vegetarian South West Pacific Recipes: Home Cooking Made Easy with Vegetarian South West Pacific Cookbook!
- 500 Greens Recipes: Greatest Greens Cookbook of All Time
We hope you like this post and finally find out your favorite South African cookbooks. Meanwhile, we welcome you to explore our site and discover more cookbook recommendations from the same cuisine below.
