Partner content: Lorna Maseko explores South African cuisine in a new BBC Lifestyle series

Supplied by BBC

It’s no secret that South African cuisine is having its moment in the sun. So much so that internationally renowned chef and TV personality Lorna Maseko and BBC Lifestyle will be launching a brand-new show on Wednesday 23 March at 8pm on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174) called Homegrown Tastes South Africa. The 10-part series joins BBC Lifestyle’s local line-up every Wednesday and will shine a spotlight on South Africa’s epicurean heroes, local celebrities and Lorna’s mouthwatering recipes.

Proudly South African

With Lorna as the headline act and one of the continent’s leading production companies, Rapid Blue, behind the concept, Homegrown Tastes South Africa will travel across the country imbibing the history of South African ingredients. In each episode, Lorna and a celebrity guest will talk to incredible chefs and food producers and learn more about quintessentially South African foods. These foods are the hero ingredients of each episode, which Lorna uses to create a special dish to inspire viewers at home to recreate.

What is on the menu?

The raison d’etre for Homegrown Tastes South Africa is to spotlight some of the beautiful local ingredients that grow in our proverbial back garden – ingredients like amadumbe, karoo lamb, kinkelbos (dune spinach), atchar, bokkoms and so much more. To get to these foods, Lorna and friends travel the length and breadth of the country, stopping by Dullstroom, Soweto, Durban, Paternoster, the Cape Winelands, Gqeberha and more, to get their fill of home-grown cooking.

Who’s invited?

South Africans don’t like to eat alone and to keep her company on this epic road trip, Maseko has invited a constellation of celebrities. If you like art, keep an eye out for Karabo Poppy, the award-winning illustrator, graphic designer and street artist whose work has caught the eye of Bill Gates and been featured in Grammy-nominated videos.

If musicians are more to your taste, then be sure to watch as Lorna and Idols winner Khaya Mthethwa ride Segways, plant some distinctive local produce and enjoy a beautifully plated amadumbe gnocchi dish.

Along the way Lorna will also be joined by famous actors, chefs and at least one former Miss South Africa among others.

The food is the hero

Most importantly, Homegrown Tastes South Africa is an exploration of South African food and the hands that make it. From sustainably sourced honey and free-range Karoo lamb to a delicious sheep head recipe, none of the food on the show would be what it is without the string of hardworking local producers that make it happen. Homegrown Tastes South Africa is an ode to their hard work and innovation.

Get a sneak peek of what to expect on Homegrown Tastes South Africa with these two recipes

In episode 1, you’ll get to know the classic kota, a hollowed-out, quarter-loaf of bread stuffed with a scrumptious filling like fries and atchar. To make your own kota, cut your milk loaf, sourdough or any other soft bread of your choice into quarters, and hollow these out. Add a generous spread of aioli to each kota, then add a layer of sweet potato chips, followed by sliced boerenkaas cheese and atchar. Top with slices of sausage (polony is the local favourite) and a generous scoop of tomato salsa. Serve with extra mayo and atchar on the side.

Featured in episode 2 is a smoked cinnamon and honey martini – a warming combination that is perfect for the upcoming autumn days. To make your own, fill a shaker with ice. Pour over 1 tbsp honey syrup (made by diluting honey in boiling water in a ratio of 1:1), 2 tbsp lemon juice and 4 tbsp gin. To serve, heat the end of a cinnamon stick, place it on a plate lined with foil and turn a martini glass upside-down so that it covers the cinnamon stick. Leave the glass to fill with smoke, then strain the cocktail into the glass, and garnish with lemon or orange peel.