Yebo Africa (Part 2) : South African Food

South Africa, a kaleidoscope of myriad cultural and ethnic influences has an extraordinary range of cuisines. Aptly referred to as the "rainbow" cuisine, the food here is a blend of many cultures Asian, African and European.  (This is part 2 of a mini series regarding South African & World Cup 2010, check out part 1 here)

I've also learned South Africans love their braais (barbeques) and are passionate about how it should be done, so be warned - don't interfere with a South African man and his braai! But there are many more delicious, traditional South African foods available; the most famous of this is probably biltong , which is strips of dried meat which come in various flavour and types. Potjiekos is a delicious slowly cooked meat and vegetable stew, which is traditionally cooked over an open fire.Mielie Pap, is a stiff corn meal mix, is a staple food of a South African diet.

As i get to understand South African Cuisine, i've came to understand that there are significant Malays or Malaysian influence to the South African Food !.

(bobotie)

The history goes that the first group of Malaysian state prisoners landed on the shores of South Africa from Java and the neighboring Indonesian islands in the late 1600's. Many more followed in the years 1727 until 1749. Not only did this proud and attractive people bring with them the Muslim faith and fine architecture, they also brought with them a unique cookery style, introducing exciting mixtures of pungent spices that has had a heady influence on traditional South African cuisine. Indeed, the Malay-Portuguese words such as bobotie (a curried ground beef and egg custard dish), sosatie (kebabs marinated in a curry mixture) and bredie (slowly cooked stews rich in meat, tomatoes and spices) are integral of South African's cookery vocabulary.

(sosatie)

Spicy curries laced with cinnamon, turmeric and ginger, a variety of fish stews, pickled fish, pork, lamb kebabs and chutneys are part of the Malay influence on Cape cuisine. Bobotie, minced meat or fish pie baked with curried spices topped with an egg sauce, Denningvleis, mutton stew cooked with bay leaves and seasoned with lemon juice, Frikkadels, baked meatballs flavored with nutmeg, mint and parsley and Waterblommetjie Bredie, mutton stew cooked with water lilies are typical Cape Malay dishes.

Wow !! Aren't this amazing !! imagine having these yummy food while watching your favorite world cup 2010 match ?!  yay.