Cooked in the Karoo by Justin Bonello – book review & give-away

Justin Bonello recently launched his latest cookbook, Cooked in the Karoo. In this culinary adventure, Justin and his crew went on a two-year journey into South Africa’s backyard to rediscover the Karoo. Their mission was simple: walk in the people’s shoes, cook with them and tell their stories. While there, they also experienced the incredible hospitality of the people, witnessed their daily struggle to survive and tasted their delicious dishes.

Cooked in the Karoo is the kind of book that will make you want to pack up your car and travel to this unique, arid and beautiful land. It is a place where you will rediscover the importance of reconnecting with the essential things in life: good food, good friends and creating lasting memories.

Justin Bonello's new cookbook - Cooked in the Karoo

Justin Bonello’s new cookbook – Cooked in the Karoo

My review

I really like the layout and design of Justin Bonello’s Cooked in the Karoo, it is simple and clean yet earthy at the same time, which is perfect for the content and for the essence of the Karoo. It is filled with easy to follow wholesome recipes, from salsa’s to desserts to springbok shanks…it illustrates the spirit and nature of the Karoo superbly.

What I love most about Justin’s new cookbook, is that it is more than just a plain and simple recipe book. It is a cookbook, filled with mouth-watering recipes, as well as being a storybook, filled with exciting and interesting stories of and from the Karoo. Below, I have included a photograph of such a story…it is about Justin Bonello flying a microlight in Jasenville. I feel that these stories give the cookbook a little soul and make it a little more heartfelt and special, if that is at all possible! They also give the recipe book a unique quality, which makes it a must have in any South African kitchen or any international kitchen, if you have a love for good, hearty South African cooking.

Cooked in the Karoo, retails for approximately R340 and is available from all leading book stores. For more information on Justin’s new book, visit  Penguin Books.

Justin Bonello's new cookbook - Cooked in the Karoo

Justin Bonello’s new cookbook – Cooked in the Karoo

More about Justin Bonello

Most of us, know Justin from his cooking and travel shows, Cooked and Ultimate Braai Master. He has now published seven cookbooks books including Cooked in Africa, Cooked – Out of the Frying Pan, Cooked – Weekends Away, Justin Bonello Cooks…for Friends, The Ultimate Braai Master, Roads Less Travelled and Cooked in the Karoo. Justin is the kind of guy that is always messing about with the braai, burning his fingers on one hand and has a beer in the other; or is in the kitchen fearlessly experimenting with flavours and ingredients. He is the Ultimate Braai Master.

For me, Justin is everything braai and is therefore the perfect tie-in for a blog post this week, as it is National Braai Day tomorrow, Wednesday 24th September!

 

Give-away

In celebration of Heritage Day or what we South Africans call National Braai Day, I will be giving away one copy of Justin Bonello’s Cooked in the Karoo cookbook to a lucky winner. All you need to do is comment below and tell me what is your favourite braai spice. Competition runs from 23rd September – 30th September 2014. Winner will be chosen by lucky draw.

Justin Bonello's new cookbook - Cooked in the Karoo

Justin Bonello’s new cookbook – Cooked in the Karoo

 

  25 comments for “Cooked in the Karoo by Justin Bonello – book review & give-away

  1. Chantal
    23 September 2014 at 1:32 pm

    I would really love this recipe book!

  2. 23 September 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Such lovely books! My favourite braai spice? I love the Nomu coffee rub for steaks!

  3. Charonne
    24 September 2014 at 7:11 am

    Lemon juice and Rosemary and Thyme rub

  4. Elizabeth-Jean Botha
    24 September 2014 at 7:21 am

    My favourite is still Robertson barbecue spice

  5. Adele Gilbert
    24 September 2014 at 8:49 am

    My fav braai spice. This little mixture called Six Gun. Awesome blog. Will be dropping by more often. Happy Heritage Day !

  6. stacy
    24 September 2014 at 5:58 pm

    My favorite braai spice is Marina braai salt original. 🙂

  7. Alison.Skinner
    25 September 2014 at 8:36 pm

    SOUNDS WEIRD BUT TRY IT ROBERTSONS MINCE SPICE ON LAMB CHOPS-YUMMY….
    LOVE THE BLOG !,

    • admin
      1 October 2014 at 5:39 pm

      Congrats Alison on winning the copy of Justin Bonello’s Cooked in the Karoo. Will be in contact shortly to get your address…hope you have many happy cooking and baking experiences with Justin’s book!

  8. Lize
    25 September 2014 at 9:27 pm

    Was, is and always will be good old Robertson’s Barbecue Spice! 🙂

  9. Rose-Marie
    26 September 2014 at 2:36 pm

    My fav braai spice…. Sea salt flakes, Olive oil and finely chopped Italian parsley. May the “Wors”be with you….

  10. Lizelle le Roux
    27 September 2014 at 7:04 am

    Just a hint of salt and pepper and lots of pure meat flavour!

  11. Jo Pretorius
    27 September 2014 at 7:18 am

    My own wet/fresh herb concoction…thyme, rosemary, lemon zest and himalaya salt…yummy!!!!

  12. Erna Aucamp
    27 September 2014 at 8:01 am

    Creative Cuisine Pantry’s Braai Rub mixed with good Olive Oil to a paste and rub the meat with it, let it rest a few minutes and braai.

  13. 28 September 2014 at 7:57 am

    Barbeque and mexican rub with brown sugar and dash of balsamic vinager

  14. 28 September 2014 at 7:59 am

    Steak and chops with chilly flakes

  15. 28 September 2014 at 8:00 am

    Lemon and herb with chicken spice rub

  16. Juanita Tucker
    30 September 2014 at 10:54 am

    Nomu Steak and Chops on beef and Ina Paarmens Rosemary and Olive on lamb

  17. ZELIA COUTINHO
    30 September 2014 at 12:51 pm

    My favourite spice is garlic salt, can be used with any dish, just adds more flavour to the other spices one uses.

  18. Kaylee Fraser
    30 September 2014 at 2:48 pm

    Oh my I adore Mr Justin Bonello, his style is right up my alley. this book is definitely one I need to add to my cookbook collection. love love love

  19. stella atkinson
    30 September 2014 at 5:37 pm

    what a lovely gift 4 myself or somebody else

  20. nabila
    30 September 2014 at 6:02 pm

    Lemon juice and crushed garlicky is a must in all my marinades

  21. 30 September 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Robertson’s Braai Spice and always Aromat & Crushed Garlic – love to win this book!!!!

  22. admin
    1 October 2014 at 5:40 pm

    Congrats to Alison Skinner for winning the copy of Justin Bonello’s Cooked in the Karoo. Thanks to everyone for entering and participating in the competition!

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