Tortoises & Tumbleweeds (Journey through an African Kitchen) – the eagerly-awaited sequel to the international best-seller Rainbow Cuisine – glances over its shoulder, embraces current trends and looks to the future. It traces the origins of the people who have made their home at the southern tip of Africa and takes the armchair traveller on a picturesque taste-trip through the countryside.
A kaleidoscope of colours, creeds and social backgrounds makes up the South African nation, creating a complex society and a patchwork of lifestyles and food styles. Our unique culinary, cultural and human history means that some recipes are based in tradition while others are
freely filched from neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Dishes that define the South African table – rustic and refined, wholesome and hearty, simple
and spicy – are inspired by early cookbooks as well as folk who opened their hearts, homes, huts and kaia’s to Lannice on her journeys of research over many years, trips that introduced her to a broad spectrum of cooks, bridged all culinary divides and enthralled and enriched her. In Tortoises & Tumbleweeds, Lannice puts it all into the melting potjie, flavours it artfully and imbues each page with a personal stamp of finesse.
Some recipes are true to their origins; others reflect a fusion of flavours; many are rooted in the mists of time. All are personal favourites that have been updated for the modern kitchen.
Happily, none include tortoises, which are protected now and no longer simmered into soup.