Simply Delicious, Zola Nene

Simply Delicious

As the chef on Expresso Morning Show, Zola is a familiar face to many South Africans. Simply Delicious is her first recipe book showcasing her evolution as a chef.

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.
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.

Simply Delicious

Chapters are divided into:
  • Nostalgic nibbles
  • Scrumptious scholar days
  • Finding my foodie feet in a foreign country
  • Tricks of the trade
  • My culinary cosmos
  • Travel-inspired eats
  • A road not yet travelled
Recipes that caught my eye:
  • Pap lasagne (p30)
  • Cocoa-nib crunches (p34)
  • Marshmallow mud pies (p40)
  • Cheddar and sundried-tomato scones (p47)
  • Granadilla fridge tart (p58)
  • Butternut and potato dauphinoise (p71)
  • Beef Wellington (p94)
  • Chicken ballotine (p97)
  • Multigrain wholewheat seed bread (p101)
  • Blueberry-ripple baked cheesecake (p107)
  • Mussel, prawn and chicken paella (p125)
  • Spicy lamb potjie (p126)
  • Limoncello (p129)
  • Homemade ginger beer (p130)
  • Peach cake (p147)
  • Marshmallow frosting (p148)
  • Claire’s crack pie (p174)
What I made:

Pap lasagne

Baked Pap With Pork Mince
Baked Pap With Pork Mince
What I liked about Simply Delicious:

Stunning photos not only of the food but of Nene and her friends and family as well.

Publishing information:
ISBN: 9-781-43230-487-4
Published: January 2016

Disclosure: I was sent the book to review by Penguin Books South Africa. I was not required to write a positive review. This post is in line with my blogging policy.

Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime November 16:

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