I was sent Road Tripping to review by Penguin Random House South Africa. I was not required to write a positive review. Together with the book, Robertsons Spices sent a bottle of Spicy Shisanyama. This post is in line with my blogging policy.
If you are planning on getting into your car and heading out on a serious road trip, then this book is for you! Its starts with what to pack into your car for every and any road trip and the advice does not end there.
Road Tripping is about the route taken by the Ultimate Braai Master contestants. This is a local reality television show where contestants have to prove themselves by cooking on an open fire. The chapters are the places they stopped, with the first one being Noordhoek. From this chapter, the recipe for quick roti (p21) is really worth trying in my opinion. I have made it twice already and will be sharing the recipe with you all very soon. Their second stop was in Witsand and like all the chapters in the book, we are treated to a story about the area. The viskop soup (p28) is a good use of what would normally be wasted ingredients. Viskop means fish head and I know a lot of people discard these. Next time we catch octopus while out crayfishing I will make sure to try the braised octopus salad (p36).
The third stop is Paternoster and here they made U-turn sardines (p48) and classic mussels (p52). These are both recipes I would make, together with the braaied lamb & tomato potjie (p64) from the stop in Cederberg. Being a real bread lover, and a butternut lover, the butternut bread (70) is totally something I know I would devour. And the spiced tea (p74) looks too good to leave off this list. Leaving South Africa, the team headed to Noup on the Orange River which is in Namibia. One day Dave and I will have to do our own long road trip in our neighbouring country.
Smiler’s sweet & sour sticky ribs (p112) and PJ’s pork belly (p114) go straight to the top of the meat lovers list. Up the west coast, a lot of snoek is caught and in Lüderitz bowls of warming snoek & patat soup (p124) were served. Patat refers to potatoes. Next stop was Fish River Canyon and Justin made boerewors (160) that given my love of making my own sausages will be going onto my to do list. From here they head off to Tankwa in the Karoo and make lamb kofta (p174) and sweet potato roly poly (p184).
The penultimate layover is in Oudtshoorn and here we can enjoy smoked trout and quail eggs (p192) before we try the smoked mackerel & yellowtail samoosas (p214) from the stop at Breede River. This marks the end of a 9000 km road trip and the recipes included are from different contributors, including the contestants, judges and crew.
The one downside to this book is that the paper has a really potent smell that was pervasive in a not so nice way. The upside is that if you are looking for recipes to cook on a braai, then all your needs will be met. The layout is fun and the book includes rules for beer pong, tips for extreme camping and how to go about lake swimming. You will find out how to play hacky sack and other games, and read useful information on paddling down the Orange River. You will learn how to make a kassie and how to shuck oysters and what creature comforts you should consider. For those of you contemplating going to Afrikaburn there is some useful information for you in Road Tripping.
For those of you who would like to see Justin showcase one of his recipes, please click here to watch him with Suzelle DIY, a local South African celebrity.
Publishing information:
ISBN 9781415208762
Dave and I are overseas in Scotland. I will be back in my office on the 16th of September and I will start replying to comments then. I won’t be able to read any blogs while we are away so please forgive my lack of visiting back. To follow along with us, click here.
What I blogged September 9:
- two years ago – Chicken And Kiwi Salad
- three years ago – Interview With Roger Stowell
- four years ago –Sticky Chicken Wings
- five years ago – Pasta With Mushrooms, Bacon And Tomato
Great book and sounds like loads of delicious recipe to try to make. Wow Scotland that is on my travel bucket list! Have a super time and can’t wait to hear about your travels. Take Care
I hope you get to visit Scotland Bobbi, it is really a beautiful country 🙂
Sounds like a good book! I’ll keep an eye out for it.
I am not sure if it will be distributed world wide Pam 🙂
Looks like a fun show to watch, we are not able to pick that up here in the states. Can’t wait for the roti recipe…..
I am hoping to get the roti recipe done soon 🙂
I’ve never really watched his programs, think I should try
I watched some of the first Cooked In Africa but have not watched braai master 🙂