I thought it would be easy to write the acknowledgements for this book. By my reckoning, I was the one who sat and wrote late at night and early in the morning, not to mention the hours and hours I spent at the stove and the mountains of dishes I washed. Perhaps this is how I once felt, but as I read through each recipe I now realise how many people were involved in this book. My heart is filled with gratitude to everyone who made a contribution – this certainly was not a solo project.
First on the list is my husband! Without you, this book would never have happened. For better or for worse, you awakened the foodie element in me and allowed me to believe that the world of food was my oyster. No marketing company could ever have marketed my blog, My Easy Cooking, as enthusiastically as you have, and all for no payment! Your favourite saying has always been: ‘Don’t mess around with my food!’ I know what you mean … always keep dishes simple and recognisable! Although it’s not always pleasant to hear, it keeps me humble and unpretentious in the kitchen. Thank you for this, and thank you for keeping alive this dream of mine – of ours! I love you!
My children, who had to struggle through many flops on their plates, who always had to wait so that I could take that perfect photograph, and who often had to go to bed alone because I was out somewhere, cooking. Thank you for the big smiles and warm hugs when one of your favourites was on the menu. A warm hug can make you forget all about the many flops. You are my inspiration, and I hope and believe that you will treasure and keep close to your hearts the food traditions and the love of being together that I have tried to capture in my book, and pass them on to your own children and their children.
To my family all over the world, your encouragement has been incredible. Your congratulations and messages of support when you heard me on the radio or saw me on TV have been very special. To my sister, who lives just around the corner and has been my safety net, always willing to fetch children, buy ingredients and be my guinea pig, thank you so much. Without all of you it would have been a very lonely journey indeed.
Mom and Dad, I can hardly include you in a larger group. You deserve special thanks, because you have a special place in my heart. Thank you for your help, support and unconditional love. Thank you for always reminding me where I come from, and thank you for teaching me to care and to live my life in service of others.
The list of friends I want to thank is as great as the good Lord’s mercy. Each of you has played a huge role in my food journey up to now. Thank you for opening your homes and hearts to me when I needed to vent, have a cup of tea or just catch my breath. Your caring natures and advice are precious to me and played an enormous part in the making of Easy Cooking from Nina’s Kitchen.
The extremely talented team at Struik Lifestyle deserves my greatest praise and appreciation. You took my Cinderella idea and turned it into an unbelievably beautiful book! Thank you for making me a part of this almost magical process. A first publication is like a first-born child – the experience is intense and filled with uncertainty. Thank you for being with me during the ‘birthing’ process.
Marius, Annelise, Simon and Nika Luckhoff, thank you for inviting us into your beautiful house for the photoshoot. Thank you for being part of the book and for making every photograph all the more special.
Last, but certainly not least, my thanks to you, the reader, for taking the time to read my book – to become a small part of me. I believe that you will be inspired by Easy Cooking from Nina’s Kitchen. Perhaps a story or a recipe will remind you of your own childhood or of a memorable experience. I hope my book will be a good reading and living experience for YOU!
Thank you so much!