TRADITIONAL, simple and delicious are the three words Nicolette Allasamy of Mt Edgecombe uses to describe the Indian Delights cook book, which she first became acquainted with at the age of nine.

“My dad gifted my mum, Yugandrie, the book in 1984 before they got married and she always used it. Growing up, the book always played a part in our lives because my mum always cooked and baked. When I was nine, I cooked my first chutney, using the recipe from Indian Delights,” said Nicolette.

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After school, and in-between homework and studying, Nicolette would would get tucked into the book, searching for the next recipe to try.

Now, years later, she still finds cooking therapeutic and uses it as an escape when life becomes chaotic. “I love cooking and I’ve made almost all of the recipes featured in the book,” she said.

Yugandrie said many of the recipes, although different to her traditional South Indian cooking, are still delicious.

“I would advise anyone who wants to learn the basics of cooking, to start with Indian Delights.

There are basic and traditional recipes which anyone can use. You won’t go wrong,” she said.