Having a BBQ this weekend? We in South Africa call it a BRAAI!!!
If you're ever invited to a braai by a South African, remember the following:
When a South African tells you "Ons gaan nou braai!!!" that means "We're going to have a BBQ now, as in soon, as in hurry up and wait, as in don't get your panties in a knot. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. It will happen when the time is right :):)"
So there's your culture lesson for the day. Now, onto the recipe!!!
Ingredients:
- Medium sized potatoes. I work on 2 per person
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Other as desired i.e. rosemary, bbq spice etc.
- Fire!!!
Process:
Steam or boil the potatoes until soft. A knife should slide comfortably into the potatoes. Drain off any excess water, remove the potatoes from the pot and place them on a solid flat surface. THEN GIVE 'EM A GOOD SQUASH WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND.
FOR EVEN MORE CRISP YOU CAN CAREFULLY CUT OR BREAK THOSE SQUASHED POTATOES IN HALF!!!
Now you can give them a good drizzle with some olive oil, making sure you coat them relatively well. Next, spice 'em up with salt and pepper OR your favourite herbs and spices. NOW they're ready for the FIRE!!!
You'll be crisping them up over the direct cooking method as in directly over the coals. The key here is patience. They do take a while to crisp up on the fire but the wait is WELL worth it!! I like to work on a medium to medium/hot fire when cooking outdoors however I'm sure if you've come this far you already know what temperature works for you. I did some wedges in a similar fashion at a BBQ (braai) competition once and the coals were waayyyy to cold to my liking (they supplied us with rubbish cooking wood) however with some patience they turned out beautifully. As for cooking time I would say the "whole potatoes" on a medium heat fire will probably take around 45 minutes and the wedges around 30 minutes.
HERE I SERVED 'EM WITH A CREAMY HOMEMADE BLUE CHEESE MAYO!! REALLY SIMPLE BUT AMAZING!!! THOSE WEDGES WITH THE BLUE CHEESE MAYO SAVED MY BUTT SINCE I'M STILL PRACTICING THE SMOKED RIBS. THE JUDGES SEEMED HAPPY WITH THE RIBS BUT FOR ME, MEH. I SAW HOW THEY COULDN'T STOP DIPPING THOSE WEDGES IN THE MAYO, LOL.
So it's as easy as that!! REALLY!!! Why not give it a bash at your next BBQ/Braai!!!
I've added a few more pics below:
HUH, WAIT, WHAT!?!? COMMON SPIDEY, GO AWAY!!
SUNDAY LUNCH LAST WEEKEND WITH THE FIRE POTATOES, CHICKEN, COOKED BEETROOT AND SALAD. I SUCK AT TAKING PLATE PICS :)
THANKS FOR DROPPING BY AND BE SURE STICK AROUND FOR SOME MORE GREAT RECIPE'S!! I HAVE A FEW ACES UP MY SLEEVE :):)
Please note all the pictures are original except the one where the potatoes are still raw. I only realised mid BBQ/Braai that I should share this recipe with all you Steemians hence the fact I didn't take a similar raw potatoe pic!! I also have a great pizza base recipe that I'll throw out sometime. A fairly recent discovery of ours. It has just the right amount of chew vs crisp :):) Anyway, that plus lots more. Ok, I'm done.
Cheers!!!
Team South Africa banner designed by 