Tussen-in-Between
the story of a life, told one sandwich at a time
“Life is not only about the journey or the destination. It is about who you become on the journey.”
— Jimmy Carr
I have always cared and felt things deeply. Irritatingly so. For most of my life I thought it was a weakness, that I should toughen up and grow a thicker skin. Over the past few years, though, I have come to accept more of me — understanding that my sensitivity is actually a superpower, and essential to the person I am and want to be.
This care and sensitivity relate to big and small things in my life. Also to food, fabulous produce, and the joy of sharing it with people I love, and even strangers. Every time. Huge events, a family affair, big and small dishes, or even a “simple” sandwich, carefully layered with the best ingredients to present that perfect bite of love and care. To me, this all matters. Deeply.
With care as the foundation, Tussen-in-Between is the story of my life — which in many ways is still unfolding — and includes the story of Tamatiestraat, and how food became our love language. I share it by layering fabulous produce onto, into, or tussen-in-between bread, or something similar. And although it is essentially a book about sandwiches, I have used creative freedom to deviate from any restrictive interpretation thereof. As one should.
My journey to this point has been one of learning, becoming, unbecoming, highs and lows, and recognising the seemingly unimportant, insignificant, and sometimes even uncomfortable moments that happened in-between. These moments, when looked back on, form a thread that keeps our story together and makes it authentically ours.
Why sandwiches?
A sandwich, by design, celebrates the in-between. The slice of bread at the bottom marks the start of the sandwich, and the top slice keeps the whole thing together, but what happens in-between is what gives it flavour, texture, character, and makes it fabulously unique. Similarly in life, what happens in-between the start and the end of your lifetime is what really matters.
The timeline of my life has been marked by a few significant sandwiches. In primary school, with the microwave at the height of its popularity, Marna Taylor and I would race home from school on our bicycles for a “gesmelte kaasbroodjie” (melted cheese sandwich). It was also during my school years that I learnt the hard truth of a disappointing sandwich … those in my lunchbox: uneven slices of bread with butter and apricot jam oozing out into the clingwrap under the pressure of my books. At university, I placed very little trust in the cafeteria food, but I rarely missed my breakfast, which consisted of buttered toast with slices of boiled egg and fresh tomato, blessed with salt and pepper and sandwiched to enjoy “on the run” to class.
This book is …
a deeply personal collection of recipes and memories bound together through the heartfelt exploration of sandwiches, a celebration of their remarkable ability to bring together flavours we love, and a love letter to the magnificent ingredients between their slices.
This book is not …
a culinary manual written by a professional chef, a bread-baking guide, a book that excludes anyone’s food preferences, or the work of someone claiming to have all the answers.
I invite you …
to join me in discovering the wonder of life with all its interesting layers, vulnerable realities, and daily miracles found tussen-in-between. My wish is that you will not only experience the care with which this book was created, but also find inspiration to make these recipes your own, and through them spread care in and around your own life.
With love,
Reinée
Tussen-in-Between · R900