CLOVER LITTLE BIG COOK OFF RECIPE COOK BOOK
Publisher: Porcupine Press
The SABC 3 show whose contestants’ recipes are collected here sees child-adult pairings creating family recipes using Clover ingredients. These are then adjudicated by chefs Martin Kobald, Fathi “Coco” Reinarhz and Zuraida Jardine who decide which team’s dishes are tops.
The best recipes from the season have been used to compile a hardcover book which would appeal to anyone with poor eyesight – the recipes are printed in a child’s reader font of 13 point Helvetica.
This can be disconcerting as it gives the impression of a child’s cook book. And with a good few fairly simple recipes, like the winners’ Pineapple Crush Fridge Tart, (a recipe I’m sure half of South Africa must be familiar with) I’m not entirely sure it isn’t partially aimed at this audience.
But if that is the case, my theory is there should have been more pictures, as it seems too much space is wasted on the large print. On the other hand, the recipes are simple to read and understand, with explanations of even basics like the making of mashed potato, so even the most klutzy kitchenhand should be able to follow.
One irritation is that in introducing the finalists at the end, their recipes are referenced. But when one turns to the page numbers mentioned, they don’t correspond – and there are 103 pages to page through to find what you want.
Also, in some cases, like the butter chicken curry and milk tart, there are two different recipes for the same dishes, which seems a bit of overkill. Why not choose the best and be done with it? In all, there are around 60 recipes and half that number of colour pictures of the starters, main courses and desserts.
There’s a notes section at the back and I think I’d like to try my hand at the nifty little bobotie pancakes and the pap squares, two ideas I haven’t noticed elsewhere.
Recipes have been tested by food stylist and chef Gay Mitchell. The photographs are appealing and the book would make a great gift for youngsters over the age of 8 or families who like to cook together.
The proceeds of book sales go towards the charities chosen by the winners, St Theresa’s Children’s Home in Sherwood and the Domino Foundation Babies Home.
The Mercury