South Africa Recipes and Cuisine

South Africa is a country of great cultural diversity. Such diversity is even reflected in South Africa's food recipes. South African recipes vary from simple traditional dishes to spicy curries and rich puddings. We are certain you will enjoy exploring the unique tastes of these recipes from South Africa.

Biltong

This is probably South Africa’s most popular and best known snack.

  • 12,5 kg beef or venison (sirloin, rump or fillet)
  • 560 g salt (finely ground)
  • 125 ml brown sugar
  • 25 ml bicarbonate of sod
  • 12.5 ml freshly ground pepper
  • 125 ml ground coriander
  • 250 ml brown vinegar
  • 2,5 l warm water

Slice the beef or venison along the muscle line and then cut into strips about 5 to 7 cm
thick, leaving a bit of fat on the strips. Combine the salt, brown sugar, bicarb, pepper
and coriander. Rub the meat with the mixture. Place the meat in a cool area for 1 or 2 days,
taking into consideration the thickness of the meat. Stir the vinegar and water together and
then dip the meat in it. Pat the slices dry. Hang the meat up in a cool dry room with sufficient
space for air to circulate. Dry for 2 to 3 weeks.

Bobotie

A delicious curry meat loaf.

  • 2 slices of stale white bread without crust
  • 30 ml oil
  • 1 sliced onion
  • 2,5 ml ground cloves
  • 5 ml garlic (crushed)
  • 3 ml salt
  • 10 ml curry powder
  • 5 ml turmeric
  • 500 g mince
  • 2 eggs
  • 30 ml hot water
  • 20 ml lemon juice
  • 25 ml sugar

Set the oven to 160 degrees Celcius. Soak the slices of bread in water for about
10 minutes. Remove and squeeze water out. Crumble the bread. Heat the oil in a big
frying pan and sauténion. Add curry powder, garlic, cloves, salt and turmeric. Simmer
for about 5 minutes. Place the eggs in a bowl and beat. Then add the mince. Stir in the
onion mixture and then place hot water, lemon juice, bread and sugar in the bowl and combine
all ingredients well. Put this mixture into a greased dish. Bake for approximately 40 minutes
until golden brown.

Topping:

  • 1 lightly beaten egg
  • 150 ml milk

Combine egg and milk together and beat. Pour topping over bobotie and garnish
with bay leaves. Bake for a further 5 to 10 minutes at 180 degrees Celcius. Serves 6.

Chakalaka

An easy to prepare spicy relish. This South African recipe leaves you a lot of leeway for
creativity, make it according to your personal taste. Make a gravy from chopped tomato and
onion. Add plenty of grated carrot, chillies, garlic, a bit of grated cabbage, baked beans and/or
cauliflower (diced). Cook until soft.

Bread and Butter Pudding

A decadent South African favorite.

  • 4 2cm thick slices of stale white bread without crusts
  • Butter
  • 190 ml currents or 150 ml raisins
  • 2 large eggs
  • 125 ml sugar
  • 1 ml salt
  • 759 ml milk

Thickly butter the slices of bread. Place slices with the buttered side down in a greased
dish. Sprinkle currants/raisins on top. Beat eggs thoroughly and add sugar, salt and milk.
Pour this mixture over the bread. Allow it to soak in for about 30 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes at
160 degrees Celcius with a cover. Uncover and bake for another 10 – 15 minutes until golden brown.
Serve hot. Top with golden syrup, jam or honey.

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