Braai = Good times!

One thing I have realised that I miss the most about South Africa, is a regular braai (at least once a week). A braai, by definition is like a BBQ or a barbie. But in reality, is unlike anything you can ever imagine, if you have never been to one. A braai is a very special event - it's a purely South African gathering. It can be a whole day or whole evening thing - where people bring their own meat and drinks (most of the time), different people bring various salads, potato bakes, sides and desserts. 

The ladies are generally inside - chatting, preparing the sides and desserts together and watching the kids, whilst the men are outside cooking the meat and bonding over beers at the braai side. Obviously this stereotype has somewhat changed over the years, with everyone outside enjoying each others company.

A typical braai involves lamb chops (not to be confused with lamb chops in other countries, it's a different cut of meat in South Africa), steaks, ribs, chicken, boerewors (a very special kind of sausage!!!), sosaties (similar to a kebab), potato bake, potato salad, coleslaw, green salad, mielies (corn on the cob), various South African desserts (although the dessert is never usually that important), beer, wine and soft drinks. There are obviously very many variations to this simple event - you can also do potjies, and we have even done pizza on the braai.

Another thing that I love about South Africa braai's, is that you don't need to invite people over 3 months in advance, if the weather is good and you're braaiing, you just let people know, and they come over. It's not a grand event, it's just a different (more sociable) way of cooking your food! A braai is one of the the best things in the world... We used to have a built- in braai in South Africa, have had a braai wherever we have lived since, and have braaied in all sorts of weather conditions. A braai will invariably always mean GOOD TIMES!