Years ago when I was a single girl living in Sea Point, a cleaning lady named Doreen worked for me. She was a humble lady with a big heart and strong values. She took great pride in the small home that she shared with her husband, Ronnie. I had found Doreen through a couple who were excellent cooks and hosts, good friends of mine and had a wicked sense of humour.
On a particular day that Doreen worked for me, there were loads of dishes after a dinner party… and no dishwasher in those days! The next day Doreen worked for the other couple and commented on the huge load of dishes. Unbeknown to her, they had been at my dinner party. Equally unbeknown to her was the fact that I could not cook. Doreen was horrified when my friends explained that I had bought all the food at a Chinese take-away and decanted it into my own dishes. She thought so highly of me that she did not believe them and was convinced they were only joking.
When she arrived for work the next time, she interrogated me. It became clear that Doreen was deeply concerned about my cooking skills. The next time she arrived with her recipe for bobotie as well as some of the ingredients. She explained that she hoped I would not be offended, that it would be very easy to follow her step-by-step recipe and that she was sure my friends would like it better than Chinese take-aways. She gently pointed out that it may even be useful when looking for a husband.
Doreen eventually retired, but her bobotie recipe did not. I must confess it is indeed a very easy recipe and one that even I cannot flop. Keep in mind I’m the one who managed to make a milk tart and actually leave the milk out. Now tell me that’s not truly magical!
One day my husband, Robert, was hosting an Italian couple. During the day he called to say that he had invited them to have dinner at our home that evening. Panic! And just as he rang off he casually mentioned that since they run a 400-seater restaurant in Italy they were really looking forward to a home cooked dinner with us. Bigger panic!
Like any girl would do, I telephoned my mother. “Poppet, just make something they are unfamiliar with and that way they will not know how it should taste.” Out came Doreen’s bobotie recipe!
Dinner was a big success, especially since I remembered to add the milk to the milk tart. I’ve lost count how many visitors to South Africa have enjoyed Doreen’s bobotie in our home, but I do know that I’ve mastered it since everyone has asked for the recipe.
Of course, my cooking skills have improved a little over the years. It is with ease that I now remember that if there is an ingredient in the recipe’s name, I should check that I have indeed added it to the mixture before serving.
Last week Robert and I spent some time on the West Coast. We made friends with three charming chaps who were on business in South Africa. One was from France, one from India and the other from Serbia. While having dinner with them the conversation turned to traditional Cape food. We asked whether they had tried bobotie yet. “Oh, yes. That’s the modified lasagna, isn’t it?” came the reply, along with a description that sounded horrible. Oh dear! Clearly the one who cooked it for them needs Doreen’s recipe.
Fortunately the rest of their meals were taken at Blue Bay Cafe, an establishment with a great cook. Even better for tourism in South Africa, the establishment offers meals that represent outstanding value for money, a wine list filled with excellent local wines at very reasonable prices and service that is warm and good.
There is a certain magic about restaurants offering affordable meals and wines and ensuring that one leaves not feeling ripped off. City establishments that rip me off are simply crossed off my list, never to be visited or recommended again. Restaurants in small country towns are a little more complicated and when they do not meet my expectation of decent value for money, I tend to cross the town off my list.
Contrary to popular belief, most of us select a destination for its activities and attractions. Once done, we look for suitable accommodation. Not the other way around. Restaurants are firmly in the activities and attractions box and have the potential to lure visitors to their towns. Why would we want to go somewhere if we’re not going to find good food & good wine at good prices?
Imagine the magic that would happen if all the Doreens of this world, along with their yummy recipes, were skilled and absorbed into the hospitality industry in South Africa. It may sound too magical to be real, but something suggests to me that it may just be possible.
