As we have not received any books to review we thought we would tell you about our two favourite books of the moment. Forgotten Skills of Cooking by Darina Allen and Cook & Enjoy It by Mrs SJA De Villiers are both constant references for us when looking for ideas on how to process the abundance of produce we have at the moment.

Forgotten Skills of Cooking, with 700 recipes in 600 pages, is not the type of book you would like to pass the time with in a meeting hall, but rather something to devour snuggled up in your most comfortable favourite chair. It’s one of those books that should stand as the sole cookbook for those who want only one book on food. For those drawn by the rural allure of sustainability and being more in control of the food that comes to your table, this book is even more of a gem. The delicious recipes show you how to use your homegrown produce to its best, and include ideas for using forgotten cuts of meat, baking bread and making yoghurt. The vegetables and herbs chapter is stuffed with growing tips to satisfy even those with the smallest garden, and there are plenty of suggestions for using gluts of vegetables, making your own preserves, pickles and jams.

Cook & Enjoy It contains everything you need to know about cooking, from the preparation of vegetables and meat, to how to freeze foods, With more than 700 recipes, specially tested – from breakfasts to mixed drinks, and recipes for large function catering. A large number of the dishes are beloved South African favourites. There’s also a great section about preserving foods. The one cookery title that no South African home can do without.