In fact, the South African cuisine does not exist. It is a mixture of many diverse food cultures that converge in the south of Africa. Besides the original inhabitants, many immigrants have had their influence on South African cuisine, from the time of the great voyages of discovery.
Summer evening and the barbecue
What could be more pleasant than organizing a real South African braai with good friends on a beautiful summer evening on the terrace or in the garden? With a variety of dishes and snacks that are prepared on the barbecue, grill plate or in an original South African skottel braai. Tasteful dishes that bring your guests and yourself into South African atmospheres with their specific tastes and smells.
Republic of South Africa
This republic is a state located at the southern tip of Africa and its capital is Pretoria. The country consists of a number of provinces, including Cape of Good Hope (Cape Province), Transvaal and Orange Free State are the best known. Some important cities are (except Preotria) Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Springs etc. The south is mountainous. The Drakensberg runs parallel to the east coast, with a narrow, fertile coastal plain in front of it. Behind the mountains is a plateau with steppe vegetation. The soil of South Africa is rich in minerals, such as gold, diamonds, coal, copper, tin and others. Main livelihoods are agriculture and animal husbandry.
Kos (food)
The South African word for food is kos and the menu includes fish and meat, as well as vegetables, fruit, sweet potato and corn. Chutney is used in many dishes. Very popular in South Africa is the braai (a South African word for barbecue). Almost every week there is ‘brewing’ with numerous ‘peuselhappies’, the South African word for snacks. Very often the South African organizes a ‘tjop en dop’. In addition, each invitee takes something to eat (tjop) and drink (cap). It is not uncommon for beef meat or beef to be put on the barbecue.
Popular dishes
Below are some ideas for very tasty dishes that are worth trying out:
- sosaties (skewer) with sweet pork tenderloin;
- wrap from the grill with marinated steak;
- peach chutney for the braai;
- chicken in barbecue sauce;
- grilled and stuffed peppers;
- ribs with buttermilk marinade.
South African chutney
There are Dutch people who eat tomato ketchup or applesauce everywhere. There are also countless South Africans who eat chutney with their meal. A chutney is a sweet and sour jam-like sauce based on fruit. A classic South African chutney is made from apricots and peaches. It tastes slightly spicy and sweet.
Skottelbraai
The skottel braai is a very handy gas outdoor cooking appliance. You can prepare countless dishes on it. The skottel braai is an original South African product and is used exclusively as an outdoor kitchen. You can not only cook with it in the open air, but also bake, grill, barbecue and wok. It can also be used as an oven. Everything you can prepare on the barbecue is also suitable for the skottel braai. As said: a very handy device.
Nice wine with the braai
Not only are they very good ‘braai’ in South Africa, they are also masters of wine making. Depending on your own taste preference, there are plenty of wines that do the ‘baie’ (very) well during the ‘braai’.
White wines
People with a preference for white wines will find that Chenin Blanc from Hoop Huis goes wonderfully with the sweetness of the peach chutney, the chicken in barbecue sauce, the braai sausage with apple sauce or the skewer (sosaties).
Red wines
Red wine lovers will find an excellent companion in Red Mountain Shadow Ruby Cabernet / Cinsaut and Schoondal Cape Red. These wines go well with the wrap with marinated steak and the ribs.
White or Red wines
Hoop House rosé and the Pinotage rosé from Danie de Wet are everyone’s friends.
Country wine
For the great thirst (or for large groups), the South Africa country wine rosé or red is suitable. The country wine red is excellent to serve slightly chilled.
