Tuesday 8 July 2008

Cook and Enjoy It

Koek en Geniet ( available in English as Cook and Enjoy) is the quintessential South African cookbook. First published in 1961, it has all the recipes a good South African Boeremeisie (Afrikaans Girl) would need to make her Boereseun (Afrikaans Boy) happy.

It gives recipes for large families and everything you would need in order to stand proud at the NG Kerk bazaar.

Last night I made Tomato Bredie (stew), and when you see how few ingredients it uses, you'll understand that this is not a fancy dish made in a modern kitchen. This was made by women who lived hard lives, in the bush. She wouldn't have had access to bay leaves and lemon grass . She had salt and pepper (if she was lucky). This would cook slowly on the back of the coal stove (Agar), while she tendered her vegetable garden.


Tomato Bredie

1 to 1.5kg Mutton ribs chopped into pieces (I actually used leg chops)
1kg Ripe Fresh Tomatoes
2 Medium sized Onions
Cooking Oil
250ml Hot Water
4 Potatoes
6 Peppercorns
10ml Sugar
15ml melted Butter (I used olive oil)
15ml Flour

Wipe the meat with a damp cloth.
Skin and chop the tomatoes.
Peel and slice the onions.
Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan and sauté the onions.
Add the meat and the hot water.
Turn the heat to the lowest and cover with a tight fitting lid and stew for 2 hours.
After 1 hour add the tomatoes, peeled and sliced potatoes, peppercorns, salt, pepper and sugar.
Thicken the stew with a mixture of melted butter and cake flour.
Serve with boiled rice.

You can make this beef ribs.

11 comments:

Nina Timm said...

It still is a favorite, even in my modern kitchen.

glamah16 said...

I love these long slow cookes stews. Simplicity is best.

Anonymous said...

Simple -and sounds so delicious. Thanks for the recipe! :)

Homemade Heaven said...

Nina - It has everything you need for just about any occasion.
Glamah - I love slow cooking, especially in winter.
Maryann - You know the "KISS" theory - Keep it Simple Sweetheart!

Jeanne said...

Kook en Geniet is such a classic! I liberated my late mom's from the family bookshelf in February so now I have a reference work for old "boere" favourites here in the UK. I like how it assumes absolutely NO knowledge and teaches you to do the basics as well as more complex dishes. Bredie looks yummy!

Anonymous said...

I think your site is super and I am thrilled to bits for having found it. I only started mine in January when I came back, I LOVE your site and thrilled to meet another christian!

Homemade Heaven said...

Jeanne - It's all a girl needs!
Just - Welcome and thank you for your lovely comments.

Anonymous said...

My first cookbook when I was ten!! I think most of us learnt with this book - mine is so broken and in pieces, but it was my mothers and I won't throw it away. It is right there, all patched up in my cookbooks library. heheh You really have a stunning blog.

Kajal@aapplemint said...

this looks nice. the dish is new to me, however i'm familiar with the west African stews ... this is nice !

Dewi said...

I'd love to be able to find this book. I am always curious about S.A cooking.
Tomatoe Bredie seems realy delice. Definitely will try in winter.

Homemade Heaven said...

Kate - These recipes have a very strong Dutch influence.
Elra - The cultures are so different that you could spend a year on each one!

Jeremiah 17: 7-8

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water."

It is not your business to succeed, but to do what is right : when you have done so, the rest lies with God.
C.S. Lewis

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