As with all Dorling & Kindersley books The new complete book of Self Sufficiency, subtitled  The Classic Guide for Realists and Dreamers by John Seymour is not only highly informative, but also beautifully produced.  This new edition of an enduring classic from the founding father of modern self-sufficiency, is still the key reference to living off the land. Covering all the practicals from ploughing fields to milking cows as well as information on how to create an urban organic garden and harness natural energy, this is perfect for anyone aspiring to the self-sufficient lifestyle.

John Seymour was  committed as ever to living a better life, more simply and was acknowledged as the founding father of the self-sufficiency movement. He was an active campaigner for the countryside and the environment. Students come from around the world to learn about his lifestyle and philosophies at the School of Self-Sufficiency he established in southern Ireland. He died in 2004.

If it’s local South African celebrity chefs you’re interested in, then Reuben Riffel is it. He is a Cape lad with a humble upbringing has become one of the shining lights in the Franschhoek culinary world. His book  Reuben Cooks: Food is Time Travel highlights some of his dishes, accompanied by some beautifully photography.

The book is filled with warm recollections, such as the day the entire family of 40 went for a picnic but their bus broke down, leaving them all stranded. Eventually another bus was organised, and the family (now starving) arrived at a fishing village where they were given crayfish heads, which Reuben’s mom turned into a delicious soup.

Reuben has  adapted the flavours of his childhood into more dishes which he would be proud of on any menu -  tandoori yellowtail with spinach and cumin dhal, cucumber relish and lemon froth, or braised pork belly with ginger–caramel sauce.

Reuben has no formal chefs’ training. He learned the hard way,  under brilliant mentor Christophe Dehosse.

For some delicious recipes from the book follow one of the links below:

Mussel and Salmon Laksa

Seared Salmon

Onion and Blue Cheese Tart

Reubens Deli Burger

Tagliatelli with white anchovies, fennel, raisins and pine nuts

Interested in buying this book? visit - Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, they will be able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for.

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.

You may well remember Clarissa Dickson Wright from the TV series Two Fat Ladies. In one of her more recent publications,  A Greener Life, Clarissa and Johnny Scott look at how to live a more natural and self-sufficient life. They explore  issues from growing your own vegetables to using alternative energies, from keeping livestock to mending your own socks, so that you have the knowledge to start living the good life.

A fascinating overview on how to take more control of what you use and eat. Especially fun for armchair farmers.

Interested in buying this book? visit - Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, they will be able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for.

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.

Delia Smith was one of the first television celebrity chefs.  She  is Britain’s bestselling cookery writer with over 21 million cookbooks sold worldwide. She started life off as a food writer for the Daily Mirror in 1969. Towards the end of the 1990s she commenced work on  Delia’s How to Cook, publishing three separate volumes and the accompanying TV series. After a five year break concentrating on Norwich City Football Club (where she is a director) and Canary Catering, Delia returned triumphant in 2008 with a new BBC TV series and the fastest selling cookery book of all time ‘Delia’s How to Cheat at Cooking‘ – which has sold over 800,000 copies to date. In 2009 Delia’s How to Cook was re-released as a single book of over 700 pages, with 350 recipes and step-by-step photography, covering every technique you will ever need from how to boil an egg to Risotto Carbonara. Truly a great book for both a beginner and someone who wants to brush up on both basics and more involved cooking.

For recipes from Delia Smith click here.

Interested in buying this book? visit - Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, they will be able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for.

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.

Every once in awhile a really remarkable cookbook crosses the Wickedfood Cooking School review desk.  Fruit and Nuts by Susanna Lyle is such a book.  Although  not a cookbook, it is an extremely informative and comprehensive guide to growing and using more than 300 species of fruits and nuts. Each entry includes a brief history, detailed description, and authoritative information on propagation, as well as helpful advice about harvesting times and methods, cultivation, pruning, pests and diseases.

In addition there is a very informative sidebar  detailing nutrition, health benefits, and medicinal uses. The book is suitable for home gardeners, horticulture professionals, orchardists, and nutritionists.

Interested in buying this book? visit - Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, they will be able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for.

Wickedfood Cooking School

Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.