TV chef Justine Drake stirs in Asian flavours and interesting guests
|||Debashine Thangevelo
COOKING is not everyone’s forte. However, it doesn’t have to be intimidating either.
Justine Drake, the editor of Pick n Pay’s Fresh Living magazine, simplifies things with Just Cooking, her cooking show which is basically an extension of the magazine.
She says: “The overriding theme for both series is real food for real people. Those who are time-strapped and cash-strapped.”
Her love of food was inherited at a young age, surrounded by a family that loved to eat and share food. In fact, it has now become her favourite thing in the world.
The mother-of-two, who has been in the food and media industries for a good 25 years, says: “The magazine launched eight years ago. It was the same year I had my first child. I did a lot that year.”
On the inspiration behind her recipes, she reveals: “I cook most days for my family. I entertain most weekends. That helps. Also, I have wonderful food people around me. And there are those who write lovely recipes and I borrow those. I had help at every turn.”
Unlike the first season, which comprised 26 episodes, BBC Lifestyle gave the nod for 39 episodes this time.
While she doesn’t get to watch other cooking shows as wrestling the remote from her kids is an exercise in futility, she surrounds herself with cookbooks.
However, she does have chefs she admires.
She explains: “I love people like Yottam Ottelenghi. He’s amazing. Another is Kylie Kwong, a Chinese Australian. If you want to cook good ethnic food, you have to have someone you follow, slavishly. Those two, I completely adore.”
As for her top dishes, she notes: “I’m a great fan of Thai. I love the flavours and freshness. In fact, I love Asian food in general. I love a good broth and strong flavours with garlic and chilli. A stunning tandoori chicken is a beautiful meal for a week night.”
She continues: “A lot of the show is basically taking ordinary things, like chicken breast or pork chops, giving it a whole lot of flavour and love.”
And she also draws on the tastes and dishes she comes across on her travels. This season’s focus is Thailand, India and Italy.
However, the show features a palatable mix of the exotic and the local. And she also looks at desserts and, with winter approaching, fabulous soups.
She adds: “In this season, I am going to have, from time to time, more people as guests. I have a lady who comes in to teach me to make chapati and bhaji. I stick to recipes that will make a difference. And also look at things like Father’s Day, Christmas and different occasions. I try to keep the show relevant and relatable.”
Just Cooking airs on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174) on Tuesdays at 9pm.