OverDrive Inc. - Sasha in good taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations

Contents

Whether it be on the big screen or in my own home, I get so much joy out of making others feel welcome. I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to wonderful parents who instilled in me an incredible love of food and travel at a young age. My parents were professional dancers specializing in adagio (fancy lifts and tricks) and performed in our hometown and all over the world. When we were home, wed indulge in many of South Africas yummy delights, including one of my favorite desserts, melktert, a Dutch cake thats been making hearts happy since the sixteenth century. My ouma is famous for her melktert, and I definitely got my sweet tooth from her. And I cant forget all the savory dishes, meat pies, sausage rolls, biltong (South Africas version of beef jerky)...

I could go on forever! But my love for food didnt stop in South Africa. Before I turned three, we found ourselves in Nice, France, where I discovered a deep appreciation for croissants and decadent French pastries. In the year that we lived in Nice, its safe to say my cheeks got a little rounder and a little rosier. I can still remember the beautiful beaches, the friendly lady at the local market, and the many cute cafs along the way. It was a pretty spectacular life for a toddler! Not long after Nice we emigrated to the USA, leaving our family and friends behind to start a new journey. Ironically, my food journey was not as progressive as my new life.

I became a very picky eater, much to my mothers despair. While I turned my nose up at the cuisine I had once loved, I discovered, like many, the allure of acting in La La Land. My love for entertainingsomething that came so naturally to mereally blossomed when I starred in my first TV show, Family Affair, in 2002. From that point on, I knew I wanted to entertain people for the rest of my life, and that love of acting and entertaining helped me rediscover my deep love for food and expand my palate with new meals and experiences. Time jump! In 2009 I started filming the first season of Pretty Little Liars and my time on camera coincided with changing my entire outlook on food. Long workdays inspired me to make yummy and health-conscious choices of food that wouldnt bore me and would give me lots of needed energy.

Working in Hollywood has its benefits but also its downsides, especially when it comes to body image. It was and still is very important to me to take care of myself in a way that doesnt harm me in the long run. Thanks to a few mentors, including a very sweet little lady who now happens to be my mother-in-law, I learned the importance of fresh food and why we should take what we put in our bodies seriously. The more comfortable I got in the kitchen, the more I loved it and wanted to experiment.

Since then our house has seen a lot of action, whether its dinner for four or Friendsgiving for eighty. From annual Halloween parties, Thanksgivings, and Christmases to summer block parties, paint and wine soires, and more, we have truly done it all and enjoyed every minute of it. For us, whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner, or the bites in between, its always a family affair (including the family you choose). Its a time when we take a break from our chaotic lives to laugh and lean on each other. Papa, my grandfather on my mothers side, cooked for the entire family almost entirely by taste and I am positive thats what he passed down to me. but dont worry, I did just for you. but dont worry, I did just for you.

It can be a lot to cook and host, but I make sure to find the balance between throwing the perfect party and truly being in the moment. You can accomplish both! I have found where my passions meet my personal life, and its hosting. Hudson describes the time before guests arrive as my magic hour, because no matter how much still needs to be done, it always comes together. Ive learned how to prioritize and plan but, more important, Ive learned how to relax and let go. Through many exciting years of trial and error, Ive learned the real dos and donts of hosting and I am so excited to share them with you. Perhaps my favorite part of cooking and baking and mixing is relishing the way it brings my friends and family together.

Food instantly creates a sense of comfort and connects people in a way that is unexplainable but simply undeniable. My hope is that through Sasha in Good Taste you will find the inspiration and confidence to throw your own celebrations, big or small, and thoroughly enjoy them. This book is filled with crowd-pleasing, beginner-friendly, and impressive recipes that will make your party planning easy and stress-free. Hosting can seem intimidating and sometimes unattainable, but here you will find all of the tools you need to effortlessly execute the party of your dreams. Thank you for joining me as I take you through my party prepping process and what feeds my soul.

Part of what makes party planning fun and successful is being able to use your imagination. The same rules apply for making yummy food. But with cooking and baking comes a list of instructions, and the way you follow them can make or break your dish (and your appetite). Ive added these notes to start you out on the right track! HOW TO READ A RECIPE That sounds silly, right? Reading a recipe doesnt sound complicated at all, but not reading it carefully is the most common mistake some folks make! STEP 1: Read the recipe, and then read it again. STEP 2: Make notes! The more I make a dish the more I figure out what works best. Write your own notes so that you remember what worked best for you for next time.