Tortoises & Tumbleweeds (Journey through an African Kitchen) - the eagerly-awaited sequel to the international best-seller Rainbow Cuisine - glances over its shoulder, embraces current food 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. The unique culinary, cultural and human history of the area means that some recipes are based in tradition while others are freely filched from neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean Islands. Recipes in the book - 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 which introduced her to a broad spectrum of cooks and bridged all culinary divides. 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.
