Sweet Salone: Recipes from the Heart of Sierra Leone

: “Sweet Salone” by Sierra Leonean Maria BradfordWow!! The book cover texture to start with is amazing!! Definitely adds emphasis on the looks of it channeling the Sierra Leone country cloth!Inside, whew really eager to dive into the recipes asap!! So many of them and the accompanying photographs of each, whew like food right off the pages. The traditions, history, personal narratives and writing is brilliant!Definitely a must have, Sierra Leonean or not. For those, like me who’ve followed Maria’s cooking and appreciate the quality in presentation, so awesome that you shared your craft in such a dope book!Definitely get a copy soon, if you haven’t already!! We got ours!!

I have been waiting for this book to be released and it was well worth the wait. I follow chef Maria Bradford on IG and the food always look amazing. I’m glad that I can now try out some of these wonderful recipes at home. The insightful stories and vibrant photography makes this much more than a cook book and helps shed light on the historical and cultural origins of ancient and modern ingredients. The book also helps to place Sierra Leonean cuisine on the global stage and introduces ingredients which are now lauded as super foods such as fonio and moringa. The author and chef should be proud. Afro-fusion cuisine at its best…

Just got Sweet Salone by Maria Bradford and I am in LOVE with the photos, the stories, and the Pepe Chicken (Pepper Chicken in English) that I made. I accidentally left it in longer than intended but it came out incredibly juicy. Also my two year old wouldn't stop eating it even though I made it slightly spicy for myself -_-. The cookbook has authentic Sierra Leonean recipes as well as new creations based on Sierra Leonean flavors and ingredients. I am excited to make foods that I grew up with and try new combinations.

‘Sweet Salone’ is the first of its kind in Sierra Leonean literature history. In 250 pages, the book presents striking photography, delectable original recipes and blurbs of text detailing various aspects of Sierra Leonean food history.It is story telling meets a celebration of a West African cuisine that does not get as much attention as it deserves. Luckily, this book changes that.There is also no doubt that author, Maria Bradford has written this debut cookbook with love and care and for this I’m ever so grateful.

This book has a wonderful order of recipes starting with street food. Then a large section of traditional African recipes blended with European and/or American ingredients. The third part is traditional recipes that are cooked in West Africa. On tip of that, the book is beautiful! Lots of gorgeous pictures and stories about the food. Would make a great gift to those of us lucky enough to have spent time there.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in West African/ Sierra Leonean Cuisine. Her stories in the book make it even more meaningful and worth the purchase. Recipes are very good and simple to follow. They are also accompanied by outstanding pictures.

What a wonderful and beautiful look into the food of Sierra Leone. Bradford does an incredible job of making these recipes accessible to all, and the stories of her family are enchanting. A must have for your collection!

I was excited to order this book because I always struggled with cooking Salone dishes without having measurements and step by step instructions. I tried the Beef Stew and Jollof recipes and it turned out great. I’m looking forward to trying the other dishes and there are so many!

This is so much more than a recipe book – it is rich and vibrant in every way, from the stylish cover to the stunning photography and stories of Sierra Leonne and the people that live there. Chef Maria Bradford really paints a colourful picture of where she grew up through her words and the delicious recipes that fill the pages of this beautiful book.

I have to admit, I am vegan, therefore I have to change the recipes a bit, but even for me the book is great! And those who do eat animal products also told me, that the recipes r amazing. Thank u for this Gem and I can't wait to try all of the recipes!

Read it through and can say its amazingly put together and a touch of class. Showcasing our Sierra leone cousine at it's best to the world. It's a must have

Sweet salone is not just a cookbook. It’s a history book and a journey all in one. It’s a wonderful experience of the colourful and culinary delights of the beautiful Sierra Leone. Maria takes cooking our traditional Sierra Leonean dishes to another level. In the 24 hours since we purchased our copy we have referenced the book on several occasions. Sweet Salone makes a perfect gift to all food lovers and a good reference guide to the best of travel enthusiasts. A truly worthy purchase. Dame Sybil

It is not just a cookbook. It is a wonderful storytelling (which is so aligned with West African tradition!) with words and pictures about the unique place and its people. A lovely read and inspiration to cherish Salonean recipes or to learn more about the place and its culture. Tego tenki!