kalahari.net sent me a copy of this amazing recipe book to review. I have never watched 7de Laan but before I turned to my trusty source, Wikipedia, I literally devoured this book.
From starters to stir fry’s, cocktails to canapés, dinners to desserts, this recipe book has it all. 7de Laan is a South African soap opera in Afrikaans with some English and Zulu in between. It is set in and around the fictional Sewende Laan (“Seventh Avenue”) and the suburb of Hillside in Johannesburg where all the characters live or work.
The recipe book introduces us to some of the characters and their favourite recipes. Every recipe has a personal story to go along with it, and this makes each one special. I can imagine myself sitting at Oppikoffie and enjoying Charmaine’s Giant Scones (pg 69). I would ask Maria to join me so I could ask her to tell me more about her oxtail recipe (pg 38) and the B&B she wants to open. Being an avid book reader (and yes, I get most of my books from kalahari.net) I would pop into the bookshop and share my malva pudding experiences with Matrone – her recipe can be found on page 39. My next stop would be at the local sports shop in the hope Lukas will share his secret on how to perfectly poach eggs for his Eggs Benedict with creamy hollandaise recipe (pg 86). No visit to 7de Laan would be complete with a visit to Hillside Deli and while I was shopping I would ask Vince for some Duck in wonton cups (pg 60) to bring home with me. I would hope to be able to get Paula Van Der Lecq, the international model to share a Choc nut martini (pg 104) with me at O’Malley’s to end my visit to this lovely place.
The recipes are well written and easy to follow and the font size is large enough for those of us who prefer not to wear glasses while cooking. The book has fantastic photographs for each recipe and is printed on good quality paper. The cover has an extra fold to act as a bookmark. The recipe book is available for a very reasonable price (R200) from kalahari.net in both English and Afrikaans. This is one recipe book worth adding to your collection – whether you are a fan of the soapie or not.
disclaimer: I have not been paid to write this review
Tandy
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Excellent review, Thandy? When did you receive this? I also received a book to review, but it will only be done in at least another week!! You are soooooo quick!!
I knew it was a good idea to get this out of the way otherwise it would just be another thing in my in tray. I got the book last Wednesday. Am looking forward to your review
You’ve made me want to buy the book!
it is a good read and has some really nice recipes I want to try out
What a nice review, you’ve woven a lovely story
5 stars!
this comment means the world to me – I was really nervous doing my first review