Having The Perfect Braai
One of South Africa’s most popular and commonly known pastimes is braaiing. A braai is a lovely way to spend some time outdoors with family, cooking meat over the coals. As many South Africans will agree, there is nothing better than the taste of meat cooked over the braai! Braaiing is easy, so it is therefore easy to perfect it.
You can purchase many different types of braais, some which will utilise charcoal and others which operate on gas. It all really depends on your preferences. A gas braai can be much cleaner, but most people prefer the taste of meat cooked over coals. Even if you do purchase a coal based braai, you will find that they have catchment trays and means for you to clean them easier. It can also be more cost effective utilising a charcoal braai.
It is easy to have the perfect braai. Firstly, you will need the right braai. This means a neat, compact braai space where you can light the coals and get them to the right temperature for the meat. Remember that you cannot cook the meat unless the coals have started to glow, not when they are new flames. Firelighters will usually come in handy for getting the fire going in the first place. Once you have your fire at the right temperature, now you will be ready to make the food.
Speaking of the meat, you can cook a variety of different things on the braai. Most meats will be suitable, and it all depends on your taste. Steaks, chops, sausage and chicken are all excellent on the braai. If you are going to be cooking chicken on the braai, leave it for last. Remember that chicken takes longer to cook. It is best to cook your chicken on the outer sections of the braai, as it will not be as hot there and will be better for slow cooking. You can also cook other things on a braai, and your options are basically limitless. You can cook lovely ears of corn on the braai, finishing them off with melted butter. Furthermore, you can also grill buns filled with butter and garlic. Once grilled, they will be melted to perfection! Some people like to put potatoes covered in tin foil onto the fire, which also add a perfect compliment to the meal. Dishes that go well with braai meat are potato salad, bean salad, soft fresh rolls and other potato dishes. The nice thing about a braai is that most of the food preparations are simple.
The nice thing about a braai is that it is not a lot of hard work. You can sit back and enjoy some time with your family and friends while the meat cooks, and you will be able to make the most of summer. Braais are a fun, relaxing and sociable activity, and the culture is usually to have everyone bring some meat for the braai. You don’t even have to worry about washing up as it is perfectly acceptable to use paper plates and cups when you are braaiing. Most men love the idea of starting and kindling a fire and most women enjoy the time off from the kitchen!
