Donna Hay is certainly the doyen of cookbook authors in Australia, with over 18 cookbooks to her name.  Her approach is simple and light when it comes to food. In her latest cookbook Fast, Fresh, Simple, she once again illustrates this food philosophy. It is not just a cookbook, it’s the Donna Hay antidote to tday’s whirlwind life.

With over 160 mouth-watering recipes, all beautifully photographed, the book is divided into three general chapters, each chapter is then in turn divided into a savoury and sweet section.

Chapter one offers ideas for cooks who need to deliver fast results in double quick time – true weeknight 30-minute meals, eye catching and full of flavour. Enjoy dishes such as grilled chicken with caramelized tomatoes, pork with pear and rocket salad, a good selection of innovative pasta, and to finish, apricot tarts, baked rhubarb sponge and even a tiramisu.

In the second chapter, fresh, the book looks to the classics with a new eye, and explains how to deliver flavour without the fuss of time-consuming preparation. From egg and bacon pies and burgers to cheese soufflé, pork belly, roast lamb, and for dessert banana pudding, baked lemon pudding and chocolate fondant (see our recipe of the week).

In the final chapter she looks at simplifying things, finding short cuts. She reveals how to take fresh produce and a few store-bought standbys and turn them into a collection of recipes that will become constant standbys when you’re in a spot. And those you cook for will love them.

This is a book for the modern cook, for those with limited time who love good food. It is equally inspiring for the novice who is finding their way around the kitchen for the first time, and the accomplished cook, looking for new ideas. It offers a great balance between recipes for day-to-day cooking and ideas for simple entertaining.  A book that Wickedfood Cooking School will definitely use for inspiration in the 30 minute meal cooking classes.

See our two recipes of the week, taken from the cookbook.

Interested in buying this book? Visit – Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, is able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for, and they deliver to your door. Pay only R192 for this book (Recommended Retail Price = R225)! Red Pepper Books is offering Wickedfood Cooking School subscribers an EXTRA 10% off this book. Simply type in the promotional code WICKEDFOOD on the shipping page of the checkout process and your purchase will be reduced by a further 10%, a total saving of R33

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built Johannesburg cooking studio. Cookery classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – teambuilding cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference. Our cooking lessons are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and team building cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.