SOUTH AFRICAN CUISINE

South Africans have a host of really interesting traditional foods. The braai or barbeque would have to be the most significant with any number of different kinds of meat being prepared on an open fire. A braai wouldnt be a braai without Boerewors, a typical South African sausage. Mealies or maize is a staple for many South Africans and is made into a porridge called Pap and served with a savoury sauce and a meat. Bobotie,a minced lamb and egg dish is another traditional Cape favourite, many of which have a strong Malay influence. Portions in South Africa are generally very generous, Afrikaans speaking people, especially in rural areas, enjoy large plates of Huiskos or house food. Traditional desserts like Melk Tert, a milk based tart, and Koeksisters, plaited pastry soaked in a sweet syrup are very popular. Another Favouriteis Malva Pudding, a sponge based dessert.

Durban has its own cuisine, strongly influenced by Indian culture and food brought in by the Indian sugar plantation workers. Strong curries and bunny chow (a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with curry) dominates this coastal area.

Lets not forget biltong, that staple of the Voortrekkers (Boer folk who explored and settled in the interior and travelled in ox wagons). Biltong is meat which is cut into strips, spiced and hung on hooks to dry. It had an endless shelflife and could be eaten just like that or added to other dishes.

Food is so much a part of South African history and culture and forms the basis of most social get togethers. Here is a listing of some dishes y= ou may come across in your travels.

Amasi - Sour milk.
Biltong - well seasoned meat cut into strips and hung to dry.
Bobotie - a dish of minced lamb, topped with baked egg and served yellow rice and sambals
Boerewors - that spicy sausage that no braai can be without!
Chutney - A fruit based sweet sauce served with just about every savoury dish!( Mrs Balls being the most favourite brand )
Frikkadelle - meatballs.
Gesmoorde vis - salted cod fish with potatoes and tomatoes and sometimes served with apricot jam.
Hoenderpastei - chicken pie, traditional Afrikaans
Isidudu - pumpkin pap.
Koeksisters come in two forms and are a sweet delicacy. Afrikaans koeksisters are twisted pastries, deep fried and heavily sweetened.
Koeksisters found on the Cape Flats are sweet and spicy, shaped like large eggs, and deep-fried.
Malva Pudding - a sweet spongy Apricot pudding ofDutch origin.
Mashonzha - made from the Mopane worm
Melktert (milk tart) - a milk-based tart or dessert
Melkkos (milk food) - another milk-based dessert, traditionally what Mom makes when she doesnt feel like cooking!
Mealie-bread - a sweet bread baked with sweetcorn.
Mealie-meal - African staple made from ground maize served as a firm or more liquid porridge
Pampoenkoekies (pumpkin fritters), patatrolle (sweet potato rolls) and a further variety of baked goods where flour has been supplemented with or replaced by sweet potato.
Potbrood (pot bread) - savoury bread baked over coals in cast-iron pots.
Potjiekos - a traditional African stew made with meat= and vegetables and cooked over coals in cast-iron