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Great, great cooking book and TV show from S. Tomé
The problem with translations is that while books haven't been translated to the English language they are not really out there but remain limited to a close circuit of fans. Such is the case of the book "Na Roça com os Tachos", a cookbook based on the TV show of the same name meaning something like "In the plantation with pots and pans", something like that. The show is hosted by amazing Joao Carlos Silva, a natural of S. Tome and Prince, two tropical islands off the coast of West Africa that used to belong to the Portuguese. The plantations are still a witness of colonial times and they usually display the same style and are still nowadays centers around which people live.
Each episode of this amazingly different cooking show takes place in a different plantation and the cook tries to use the ingredients that are locally grown. The cooking style is that of S. Tome and sometimes recipes come from other African countries. The results are always exotic, original and unexpected. Another element of surprise is that all the cooking is done outside in the open, using only a table and an old woodburning stove. No electrical appliances at all. The show also features some local music, as background. History or poetry fill in the cooking times or the change of course.
I would buy the whole show if I had a chance. Unfortunately that I know of that is not possible, so I grabbed the opportunity to buy the book... in Portuguese. Not everybody can read Portuguese of course so this is another case when a translation is urgent! I will leave you now with a couple recipes from the book (my translation) and some texts found online about the show or the book. Enjoy!
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The Cooking of the Enchanted Islands
João Carlos Silva is a magician. He can make a gastronomic feast with a small stove and rudimentary utensils against the sumptuous sceneries of Saint Thomas and Prince Islands.
With the sea in the back ground and fabulous fresh products, he makes a three course meal in each programme. He is a life loving man who wants to make you feel happy and hungry.
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This book is inspired on the TV show with the same name. The author presents a spicy selection of recipes based of the flavours of Sao Tome and Principe and of other former Portuguese colonies. Adriana Freire is responsible for the photographs.
To buy the book.
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(Above, the cook is more than a cook. Here at work in the Roça São João) Here's the bio:
Founder and director of CIAC - International Center of Art and Culture, and in 1995 organized the First Bienal of the Art of São Tomé and Principe. Coordenates the Project for Integrated Development in the Roça de São João.
In 2001 founded the space and gallery "Teia d'Arte" which brought new dynamism to the artistic and cultural life of the country.
Worked in journalism in Portugal from 1985 to 1989. In 2001 founded the Space and Gallery Teia d'Arte in São Tomé.
Last but not least at all, I would like to introduce the Roça São João, another project of João Carlos Silva. It's a plantation in S. Tomé that has been converted to ecoturism, but incorporating culture, art and culinary. Isn't this perfection? Everything I care about in one! The place is beautiful and almost virgin territory for english speaking tourists. And then, a double room breakfast included is 35 euros, roughly 40 dollars. There's only 6 rooms in the complex. You have to check the website! Travel agent offering the Roça here.
More info: Good info about Roças here, including a mention to the Roça São João.
And finally, the recipes.
Fried Plaintain with Honey
Ingredients: Plaintain, Oil, Honey, Lemon, Cinnamon
Cut the plaitain in slices and fry in hot oil. Then pour over it the honey diluted in a little bit of lemon juice and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve cold.
Chicken squares with coffee sauce
Ingredientes: one or two chicken breasts, 1,5dl of coffee (not expresso!), half a liter of white wine, 1,5 dl of cream, butter, garlic, chillies, 1 laurel leaf, coffee beans, salt (sorry for the european measures)
Make a paste by pressing together the chillies and a bit of salt. Reserve. Melt some butter on the stovetop and sautée the chicken squares. Mix in the paste, the crushed garlic and the laurel leaf. When the chicken is golden brown, remove and reserve. Pour the wine and the coffee into the mixture still cooking, reduce until the sauce is thick and add the coffee beans and the cream. Mix well and pour over the chicken squares.
Cell phone photos of the book. Will give more recipes under request!