I rushed off to the store to get some meat for the braai (yes I am aware I had just eaten a large meal, don’t judge me- I’m proudly South African and we can eat!) Finally I found a nice T-bone steak for a decent price and get absolute excited to eat this gorgeous cut of meat in an hour or two.
Food is just a pretence under which we get together, but not necessarily eat. This is what makes a South African braai better than an American barbeque, or any other country’s version. For example, one couple only brought their meat for show- by the time I left, the lady was stuffed on side dished and dessert, and her fiancé had consumed some alcohol and was so engaged in conversation that they both forgot the existence of their meat.
At a typical South African braai, there would usually be alcohol involved. The men would be at the fire making sure there are enough coals and wood so they have more time to drink and catch up. The women find another spot usually far enough away for the smoke not to burn their eyes yet close enough to hear if they happen to be misrepresented in a tale by their other half.
Sometimes, (and honestly preferably) there would be some snacks like chips and peanuts to snack on while we wait for the illusion of the meat being cooked.
There would be side dishes like the most amazing potato dish someone made for the night.
Potatoes cooked with once again brown onion soup and butter, partially sliced open with sliced onion in the slits! Definitely a treat worth a try. Of course, there was also some sweet bread- dough covered in cream and brown sugar baked in the oven! It was my first time trying both these dishes and I was astounded at how divine they were! I did find the sweet bread a tad sweet and ended up swirling it in the brown onion soup on my plate. I think these dishes saved the young lady whose fiancé had forgotten about their meat.
What I really love about braais is that you chose what you eat, you bring your meat with you and most ladies have their male counter parts cook their meat for them. Or if you’re like me, get a friend’s male counterpart to cook it! After a few braais and try’s you figure out who braais the best- make sure to always ask them because you don’t want the steak you’ve been looking forward to for the past two hours to be overcooked. Thankfully mine wasn’t, or at least I don’t think it was as I could only get two bites in after being so stuffed on the side dishes and potjie. However there is always room for dessert!
I finally understand why we usually don’t have desserts at braais because man, did we suffer, scoffing down every delicious bite of granadilla fridge tart but hoping with all our hearts our faces wouldn’t turn green for sheer over indulgence. Worth it though!
The one thing about the way too much food filled day that really brought it home for me was that food brings us together, whether we eat way too much or don’t even eat what we brought to the table. It gives us a platform to express love and kindness to one another, a moment to sit and catch up, and enables us to fulfil a basic human need- connection with others!
So in conclusion, if you want to experience two proudly South African culinary extravaganzas within a few hours of each other, make sure to stop eating at least two days prior to prevent a food overload coma and, for the love of pineapples, have an antacid ready!! Also have a heart that’s ready to receive the love of those who will become your unofficial family.
Jo’s take away
1. Don’t eat a full dinner less than two hours prior
2. If you are on a budget getting beef short rib to braai is an absolute life saver!
3. Braai broodjies are a must! Grab 2 slices of bread, butter the outsides, add some tomato, cheese and sliced onion. Spice with some salt and pepper and grill over the fire! No braai is complete without this treat!
So if you’re a frequent follower of my blog you’ll know that I tend to be slightly more budget conscious than most.
Jo's food experiences 