Diversity in the Surinamese cuisine
Quite a few Surinamese cookbooks have been published in recent years. I am happy that more and more attention is being paid to this versatile kitchen. Many people can't get past roti when you ask what dishes they know from Suriname. By the multicultural society the food culture has become so diverse. It's nice to see that the origins of the ingredients and the dishes are spread all over the world and that every population group in Suriname has had their own contribution. If you ask about a dish or a specific ingredient in Suriname, there is a good chance that a piece of history will immediately be told. During the cooking workshop and the visit to the Central Market in Paramaribo taught me – and many customers – much more about Surinamese cuisine.

Passion for Surinamese cuisine
I share the passion for Surinamese cuisine with the Waal sisters - or also the SuriMAMs named. They inherited their passion from their mother, who emigrated from Suriname to the Netherlands in the 1960s. Moreen, Aretha and Martha (MAM for short) have dedicated their first cookbook to their mother. They decided to put together a cookbook with the dishes their mother used to serve. These dishes are lasting memories for Moreen, Aretha and Martha of their mother and of special moments in their lives. A quote from their book: “Food should be prepared with love (soso lobie), then it will always be good! No matter how little you have, every mother can do magic with food. Those are the words our mother, grandmothers and great aunts repeated over and over again. And that is what we want to pass on to the next generation.”

Meet Moreen, Aretha and Martha:

SuriMAM cookbooks for sale at Suriname Holidays
Last month the sisters visited me at the office. I'm going to sell the books in my 'Surinamese bookstore'. When I browse through the colorful cookbooks, I immediately feel like cooking! If you are looking for original gifts for the holidays, especially for someone who loves cooking, I can highly recommend one of the SuriMAM cookbooks! You can place your order by emailing: suzette@surinameholidays.nl

Surinamese cuisine, fresh vegetables and Mother Nature
The books are all beautifully designed and are packed with atmospheric photos. The first book is a 'must have' with 80 authentic Surinamese recipes. The sequel to the first part is based on contemporary recipes that focus on Surinamese cuisine and fresh vegetables. There is love in this book Mother Nature to find back.
In the book Feast contains delicious Surinamese snacks, ideal to serve at parties and drinks. For now, I'm going to use this book to prepare for a New Year's Eve with my family. Ringing in the new year with Surinamese oliebollen, ginger beer and fruit punch with rum sounds like an attractive way to end this year! And let's hope that we can celebrate many parties together again in 2021!

I would like to conclude with the slogan of Moreen, Aretha and Martha: Soso Lobie – cook with attention and love!