1. My first food memory is…
Crushing green mealies with my grandmother to make steamed mealie bread.
2. My top tips for home cooks are…
Keep your knives sharp. Don't be so hard on yourself - if a recipe doesn't quite work out the first time you make it, give it another go because practice makes perfect!
3. The one utensil / appliance in my kitchen that I couldn’t do without is…
A very sharp knife & my chunky wooden chopping board.
4. The most bizarre thing I’ve ever eaten is…
Bokkoms - those are definitely an acquired taste.
5. In my fridge & kitchen cupboards you’ll always find…
Cheese (in my fridge) and pasta (in my pantry).
6. My favourite recipe from Simply Delicious is…
I love all of the recipes in the book, it’s impossible for me to choose a favourite ...it's like asking a parent who has more than one child to tell you which one is their favourite ;)
About the author
If one had to describe Zola’s personality in a single idea, it would be 'irrepressible joy', which is the thread running through this journey as well as the state evoked by her delicious dishes. Her food philosophy is very simple – cooking is for everyone. With easy-to-follow instructions, the recipes will ensure that anyone can produce mouth-watering results. She is a chef and food stylist on theExpresso Show, weekdays 6:00 - 8:30am, on SABC3.
Connect with Zola:
About the book
In Zola Nene's own words, she says, 'Food has always been a huge part of my life; important occasions were always marked with a feast of some sort…' this book chronicles my food journey thus far – how it started and what has shaped me into the chef I am today.’
And that’s exactly what Simply Delicious is all about; it’s Zola’s culinary career told through her recipes, interspersed with snippets and perspectives of her life journey, including tributes to the people who have inspired and influenced her cooking style and explaining the reason for certain culinary choices that she has made.
Simply Delicious is available at bookstores nationwide. CLICK HEREto order a copy online.
Photographs: © Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd / Dawie Verwey