Hamilton Wende excels in writing stories of daring adventure – as proven by his latest book House of War. In fact, Wende, you might not be surprised to learn, is quite the adventurer himself – especially when it comes to culinary experiences across Africa. He regales readers with tales about some of his best, and worst, African meals in The Weekender:
My introduction to African food began when my South African stepfather took us and my American mother to a drive-in the 1960s. We were in pyjamas and slippers and we all lined up at the braai on the edge of the parking lot.
My stepfather put some strange-looking white stuff on our plates alongside the delicious wors and chops. “What is it?” my mother inquired.
“Just try it,” my stepfather rejoined. My mother put a miniscule helping in her mouth. She screwed up her face and burst out: “That is the worst mashed potato I’ve ever eaten in my life”
I don’t think she has eaten pap since, but she has learned to make the finest tomato and waterblommetjie bredie I have ever had.
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