International cooking trends to inspire you right now

What are you going to cook this year, and how are you going to do it? We keep abreast of the latest in culinary trends.

“A return to home cooking, growing use of online and mobile food applications, a local focus, diverse flavours and a trend toward ‘green' cooking and eating' are among the top food trends for 2011.”

- Margot Janse

Home made bread

The only thing more satisfying than making and baking your own bread is eating it! From olive-studded Mediterranean loaves to on-the-run baguettes, this staple food is the staff of life.

For millennia families have built their homes around the baking of good bread. Bread, with its yeasty taste and robust texture, is one of life’s basic necessities. Its cultural and religious significance reaches as far back as Biblical times and traditional bread-breaking bears much of the same symbolism as the spirit of Christmas – friendship, fraternity and peace.

Leavened or unleavened, rye or sourdough, bread is a constant comfort in a world of “Shake ‘n Bake” and microwave cuisine.

From olive-studded Mediterranean loaves and ash bread and handmade flatbreads to crusty baguettes, this staple food should be on every table, just as it was in the olden days.

But where does bread fit in amid the bountiful delights of the traditional Christmas dinner spread?

We estimate that the beginnings of bread-making date back roughly 6 000 years – that’s a lot of time to get it right. In fact, the process has barely changed since the first scoop of grain flour was mixed with water and left to bake in a primitive oven.

Bread-making is an art in itself but a natural one and practically foolproof. Dust some flour on your hands and roll up your sleeves – even the clumsiest cook can knead mounds of dough into hearty loaves of love (see our recipes below).

Also follow our handy tips on working with bread dough and Jason Lily of Knead in Cape Town's recipe for bread using a pre-starter, aka 'poolish', that is one of the secrets of his famous loaves.

Bread also makes a delicious home-baked gift and in Russia is given as a gift to the bride.

As a symbol of communion, religious custom centres on the nourishing quality of bread. In the Christian tradition, spicy hot cross buns served on Good Friday are said to stay fresh throughout the coming year.

The Czech equivalent, known as mazanec, is an Easter treat made from sweet dough, while Jewish families celebrate Shabbat dinner on Friday evenings with challah, an airy yeast bread made with plaited dough.

Christmas dinners are typically sumptuous affairs. A brightly festooned table supports plump turkeys glistening with glaze and slices of creamy brie topped with caramelized figs, while a brandy-soaked pudding warms in the oven. To complete the offering, add one or two salted rosemary and olive oil loaves as a dipping bread, or garnish it with parma ham as an enticing entrée.

A cherry, coconut and almond loaf is a great breakfast alternative to regular toast. Enjoy it with fresh ricotta cheese and a drizzle of honey.

Sweet potato flour makes a delicious gluten-free bread perfect as a health-conscious accompaniment to any Christmas dinner.

Artichokes (in season in summer) combined with crumbled feta, lemon and spring herb are the key to a deliciously wholesome bread filling, or add a touch of rustic charm with a beer and sweet-corn loaf.

BREAD RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE