Have you heard about BRAAIS, the famous South African food event? We didn’t wait to travel to Cape Town to discover what a Braai is, but we must admit that braaing in SA is a special experience! Considering the insane amount of delicious meat that exists in this part of the world , believe me you won’t want to miss out! So if you are visiting this part of Africa don’t hesite to identify yourself as a foreigner because South Africans will all be on a mission to make you discover their braais! 🙂

WHAT IS A BRAAI?

The word braai (pronounced “bry ») is Afrikaans for “barbecue” or “roast” and is a social custom in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It originated with the Afrikaner people, but has since been adopted by South Africans of many ethnic backgrounds. South Africans almost always use wood (charcoal is considered cheating) for their braais. Another popular Afrikaans variation of braai would be“chop ‘n dop” (dop being Afrikaans slang for an alcoholic drink) .

The atmosphere around a braai is often celebratory…engagements, graduations, national holidays are all celebrated but the truest expression of a braai is a celebration of friends and family. It is a moment of gathering, sharing and loving around the fire with a drink in hand. A braai can be made at any time and anyplace; however, one specific day on South Africa’s calendar is dedicated specifically to the braai. September 24th is officially called Heritage Day but is known colloquially as Braai Day. It is a celebration of the cultural diversity of South Africa and is a unifying force in a country still dealing with the shared trauma of its tumultuous past. Source : exploresideways.com

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SIDES :

• Braaibroodjie – A grilled sandwich filled with sliced tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese and sweet chutney.
• Pap – Pap, also called mieliepap, means “maize porridge” in Afrikaans. A traditional porridge or polenta-like dish.
• Roosterkoek – Roosterkoek literally means “grill cake” in Afrikaans. It is considered the traditional bread to accompany braai meat.

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If you do not have a South African friend, make one now! Or even better, book yourself a flight to one of the most beautiful country I have ever visited! 🙂