Since all of our travelling is currently on hold (though, we are fortunate to travel inside of our own country), we thought to share with you what keeps us positive (and happy) during these uncertain times – preparing food on the fire!
We will still share some of our earlier travels and adventures with you on our blog, but in the meantime, we will have a weekly ‘braai weekend’ post.
What is a ‘braai’?
The word ‘braai’ is an Afrikaans word, meaning barbecue. This means you grill or roast (mostly) meat over the open coals – something South Africans love to do (especially during weekends).
So, be warn … you will see a lot of pictures of food (and the occasional drink) over weekends on our blog ☺️.
We’ve started today’s braai with a lamb rib (placed next to the fire). In Afrikaans this is called a ‘staanrib’ or translated it will be a ‘standing lamb rib’.
This is a low maintenance meal, though it does take a minimum of two hours (depending on the size of the rib) before it’s ready. We only grind salt, pepper and coriander seeds together and then rub these into the meat before placing it in the hinged grid and closing, while placing it close to the open flames of the fire.
While the ‘staanrib’ is getting cooked next to the fire, there is more than enough time to have a glass (or two) of wine. A red wine works perfectly with this meat … today, I have however preferred something with a fun element and opened a bottle of sparkling wine (it is weekend after all).
Though we don’t mind having just meat on our plate, it’s good to have something green and healthy with your ‘braai’.
I’ve prepared a fresh salad consisting of different green leaves (butter lettuce, basil and rocket) together with ripe tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over this salad and this can almost be a light meal on its own!
Next on the grill, it was time for an appetizer … we were quite hungry by now! ‘Oepsies’ is a huge favourite in our house … and I don’t think there is really an English word for these (maybe ‘Oopsie’, but it’s by no means a mistake 😁).
We love to make a fire … and the more fire you make, the more meat you can put on the ‘braai’. So, today, we’ve decided to ‘braai’ extra meat to have tomorrow (and maybe the day after tomorrow 😉).
It was now time for the chicken drumsticks and a few lamb chops (which we’ve both drizzled with a little bit of ‘braai’ spice).
After a couple of hours (and a few glasses of wine), it was time to enjoy a late lunch.
Berto prepared an amazing low carb cheese cake yesterday afternoon. The perfect way of concluding our weekend ‘braai’.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the first edition of our ‘braai weekend’ … cheers, until next weekend!
I was so hungry anyway – then I saw your Brai…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😅 … and I’m afraid, a virtual meal is not going to do it for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s one thing you can’t do via Zoom! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, does food look good! And I love the oopsie! I will have to try to put something like that on my grill, bacon on a stick! May I add your first “braii” post to my Friday’s Foods Around the World Challenge this week? The folks would be interested in hearing about this! And, I am delving deeper into wines, following Dr B’s advice that I should, so I will look up the Bon Courage Blush to see if I can find it here! What is your currency there? I am interested in seeing different prices for foods in different countries! Cady
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love ‘oepsies’ (or oopsies 😉) … another great option how to enjoy bacon!
Yes Cady, you are more than welcome to add this to your food challenge – we love reading about other countries’ food (and sometimes try to make it ourselves!)
That Blush sparkling wine is an easy drinking wine – ideal for a summer’s day!
Our currency is the South African Rand (1 USD = 15 South African Rand) … it will be extremely cheap for you to have a holiday here in South Africa 😁.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! We had a cruise planned for South Africa this year along with a week of glamping! But you know how this year turned out! Bummer! But it will be re-scheduled! Oopsies instead of oepsies ! I need newer eyes too! Cady
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, your trip sounds amazing! At least it can be re-scheduled … now it’s just the waiting game of when …
Doesn’t matter whether it’s oepsies (Afrikaans spelling) or oopsies (English spelling), it still taste the same 😁.
LikeLike
Delicious,! Lamb is one of my favourite meats and we will cook a leg on Easter Sunday. Is it traditional to do that in SA as well? Your cheesecake looks delicious too! Roll on warmer weather here for us to be able to sit on the patio and do the same!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We also love lamb (though it is a bit expensive here in South Africa). A classic South African cuisine over Easter is pickled fish (a far cry from the delicious leg of lamb!) We normally have a leg of lamb on Christmas Day … but sometimes we put this on the fire as well – delicious!
Oh Marion, that cheese cake was absolutely yummy! I think now will be a good time to have another piece …
Really hope your summer weather is on its way – keep my fingers crossed.
Thank you for reading and your comment – much appreciated 🌸.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This all looks really yummy! A South African friend in London invited us for a braai housewarming a few years ago and the food was delicious 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, I’m so glad you had the opportunity to experience a braai given by South Africans … yes, we do like to celebrate (basically anything) with a good old braai 😁.
Thanks for reading Sarah.
LikeLike
Wow..that’s a cool way to roast lamb ribs. I have never had that before..yummy.
.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you prepare the ribs this way, the outside of the meat gets crispy, but it doesn’t t burn … really tasty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh it’s 1:40 am and your post just made me so hungry!!!! Amazing food!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 😅 … maybe, while you’re getting to dreamland, you can plan on your next wonderful recipe!
LikeLike
Oh, that all looks delicious. I’ll have to try to make my own “oepsies”. I found a place to buy the most delicious Black Forest Ham bacon. I just bought me a smoker for smoking meat, but I’ve also been looking at something that could be used as a “braai”. I’ll send pictures when I get it going. Carl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh Carl, that sounds like a great gift to by for yourself! We would love to see this smoker (and the food you prepare on it). There are many ways to prepare a more “upmarket” oepsie … another favourite is to put a glazed cherry that is wrapped in a piece of bacon and then skewered a couple on a stick to braai on the fire (that’s almost like Christmas ☺️).
We will soon show you more of all these delicious appetisers.
LikeLike
The meet looks so so so good! You made me hungry😀 I’m going to the kitchen. And I will steal your salad recipe. I will make it for dinner😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Angela, you will love this salad! When the olive oil mix with the basil, it gives a wonderful taste. Thanks for popping in and read about our ‘braai’ weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your braai weekend! Looks just perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Meet looks so delicious! I made your salad for dinner. It was very good! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m glad you enjoyed the salad! It is such a simple salad with only a few ingredients, but really tasty 👍🏻.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was really good and simple. I like simple food. Thanks again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh that’s so yummy looking. I love your explanation and I share it on to my blog as a reblog for my foreign followers too. 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Morag (and thanks for re-blogging) … one day we shall have a braai together 😉.
LikeLike
Yes for sure 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is some braai you have there, Corna.
I love that staanrib concept, I have never seen meat cooked like that before and the oepsies look very interesting as well, they are another discovery for me here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love staanrib … but it takes quite some time, so you should not start this braai hungry 😉.
LikeLike