In Ottolenghi Simple, Yotam Ottolenghi has pared down his yummy recipes to makedelicious meals a doddle. We fancy watermelon, green apple and lime salad as a light summer lunch, while the heartier spinach and Gorgonzola-stuffed potatoes look pretty good. Tempting mains include lamb and pistachio patties with sumac yoghurt sauce; pork with ginger, spring onion and aubergine; chicken Marbella and for the kids, coconut-crusted fish fingers. We can’t wait to tuck into sumac-roasted strawberries with yoghurt cream, not to mention the hazelnut, peach and raspberry cake! Ebury Press, R464.
Vegan food is anything but dull as Leozette Roode proves in The South African Vegan Cookbook. She has info on alternatives and everyday products, answers the most often asked questions and shares recipes for meals and smoothies. Kick-start the day with a chocolate, peanut butter and coffee smoothie or a chickpea omelette with cashew-cream sauce; for lunch, munch pea and pesto quinoa salad or potatoes stuffed with curried soya mince, then indulge in chocolate and coconut tart at tea time. For dinner there are pastas, pies and chickpea burgers and the book is rounded off with treats like avo-chocolate truffles or berry balls. Human & Rousseau, R323.
Gut health can be linked to overall good health, as well as to many diseases. Nutritional therapist Marlien Wright reveals what’s good for gut health and what’s not, in The Mandala Kitchen. The 100 nourishing recipes include breakfast, brunch and lunch box suggestions along with soups (carrot, apple and ginger; pea and miso). Coconut chicken salad sounds yum and so do oxtail and sweet potato mash, hot smoked mackerel carbonara and lamb and aubergine tagine. Rooibos and lemon jelly and brownies have sweet appeal. There are also recipes for snacks and foods for fussy kids. Jacana, 330.
