(Written by Ralph)
What is the origin of the word Braai?
“A South African braai, derived from the Afrikaans word ‘braaivleis’ meaning ‘grilled meat,’ is a communal, festive gathering centered around grilling meat over a wood fire, a tradition that goes beyond just cooking and is a symbol of unity and celebration.”
“What is a South African Braai? The term ‘braai’ originates from the Dutch word ‘braden’, meaning to roast. It involves grilling meat over a wood fire, but unlike typical barbecues, a South African braai is an event, a gathering of friends and family that is both a festive and communal affair.”
Although the origin of the word ‘braai’ is disputed, the idea of a gathering for a meal of meat cooked over an open fire made from local wood is what’s important.
For us, cooking for just two, I wasn’t prepared to spend two hours burning wood and waiting for it to turn to coals for just a ½ hour cook, so I used charcoal and grilled like I would at home. We channeled the Braai aspect within our own community of two. In the pictures, you’ll also see photos from our friend Banie, who was having a proper braai of Springbok steaks with his brother and sister-in-law on the same evening as us.
On our most recent trip to South Africa, we managed to balance a week of work at a trade show with two weekends and a bit of vacation in the late summer sun. We both love meat, grilling, wine, summer weather chillin’ on the terrace, and golfing, so what’s not to love about SA?
The first weekend, we stayed in a cottage apartment in Johannesburg proper that featured a pool and access to a gas BBQ, as well as a Weber charcoal kettle grill. The first night, we opted for sushi, which we also love and is quite good in SA- we enjoyed it thoroughly! The next night, it was a nice thick rib-eye cut to order from a local butcher, of which there are plenty.
What is particularly astounding in South Africa is the price of meat – we’ll tag the costs in the pictures, but needless to say, you can eat your fill of good-quality beef for less than € 10!
We purchased some local grill spices, and for sides, we discovered a cheese manufacturer in Johannesburg that produces its own European-style cheeses locally in a sustainable and natural manner, along with homemade crackers.
On the 2nd weekend, we rented a studio apartment in a resort that had its own private terrace and Braai, so we were in a little slice of heaven. We opted for steak one night, chicken the next, lamb ‘finger burners’ another, and finished the vacation of with another choice cut of beef. (Sorry to our vegetarian and vegan friends; you are all welcome to return to the carnivore tribe if you want.) I always say that cows, pigs, and chickens are all vegetarian and take pleasure in pre-digesting my veggies and grains for me, saving me the effort and the roughage.
So enjoy the pictures! Spring has arrived back in Germany, and my two kettle grills and my old Weber gas BBQ await a North German/Canadian Braai with our local friends, who never seem to turn down an invitation.
The Banie Braai:
