Meet Amanda Dube, the TikTok foodie who cooks meals by the river using hot stones
Cooking with hot stones is an ancient cooking technique transcending time, offering a fascinating way to prepare food.
The method, which involves using heated stones to cook food, is rooted in various ancient cultures and traditions.
The technique involves heating stones in a fire and then placing them directly into or around the food to cook it. The method is practical and offers a unique flavour and texture to dishes.
Hot stone cooking is becoming increasingly popular among people who want to try something new in the kitchen. One of its biggest advantages is that it allows you to create perfectly cooked meals every time, without any risk of overcooking or burning.
One person we have recently seen master it is TikToker Amanda Dube, a 22-year-old Durban University of Technology final-year student and is studying towards a diploma in ICT in business analysis.
Born and raised in Ozwathini in KwaZulu-Natal, she labels herself a homesteader who was motivated to start cooking her own meals in order to have control over the ingredients she used and their nutritional value.
“I can control excessive sugar, fats and salt that can be found in many commercially prepared meals,” said Dube, who is passionate about sustainable living.
“I love a simple life – having a closer connection with nature – watching my plants grow, the shifting shadows of the woods, walking barefoot in the wild – the smell and the feel of the soil in my hands and feet are just amazing to experience.
“I love nature and the connection that I have with it feels right. By cooking outside by the river using hot stones, I wanted to share with people that there is a lot that they are missing out on. I want to show people that you can enjoy life right where you are with what you have.
“I also prefer cooking on a stone because it is much quicker and easier than other cooking methods, and cooking on hot stones also helps the food retain its nutrients and flavours.
“The art of looking for the right stone, the right size, the right shape and depth of the stone makes me so happy when I nail it.”
Dube said cooking in the wilderness allows one to connect to nature and appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors.
@amanda.dube12 Delicious chicken and mushroom pizza cooked on a stone-mud oven #viral #cooking #southafrica #outdoorcooking #pizza ♬ fire - CanonCable
“Also, the food tastes way better – the smoky flavour and the scent of the flames add an extra dimension to the meal.”
As we are approaching the hotter seasons, she said she was preparing a garden in which she would be able to grow all sorts of herbs, vegetables and fruits that she would be cooking on hot stones by the river.