From snoek basted with apricot jam, boerewors rolls topped with peach chutney and ribs smothered in sticky plum sauce, South Africans know how well stone fruit goes with our favourite pastime – a braai! All through the summer months there’s a steady supply of locally grown peaches, nectarines and plums. While they are juicy and delicious as whole fruit enjoyed at any time of day, there’s so much more we can do with this versatile fruit to elevate our entertaining and family meals.
Wilechia van der Westhuizen from Juicy Delicious says, “There’s nothing more South African, and more unifying in our country, than lighting up the fire and gathering friends and family for a summer braai. We are so fortunate to also have access to farm-fresh peaches, nectarines and plums throughout the summer months. Of course, they are delicious in desserts from ice-creams to crumbles and cobblers. But stone fruit also pairs wonderfully in savoury dishes, from salads and roasts to curries and braais.”
Before the summer ends, try out some of these braai recipes created by top South African chefs and braai masters curated here by Juicy Delicious for the first time.
MasterChef winner, Shawn Godfrey aka The Roasted Dad finds endless inspiration in the summer harvest of nectarines, peaches and plums:
· Smoked snoek on the braai with a quick plum jam – Jazz up traditional braaied snoek with an easy but completely sensational plum jam featuring ginger and soya sauce for both a zing and umami flavour.
· Ostrich fillet kebabs with nectarine and rosemary – A delicious lean red meat option paired with the succulence of nectarines and herbs.
· Lamb loin chops with a delicious mint and peach salsa – This sizzling take on a braai staple combines the classic with fresh taste sensation that will wow friends and family.
· Crispy pork belly served with nectarine and wine sauce – Ideal for a kettle braai, The Roasted Dad gives you great tips for crisping the pork belly, and this sauce is one you add to your repertoire for roasts as well.
· Grilled plum, crispy pancetta and fresh mozzarella calzone with fresh watercress – Stone fruit and cheese is always a winning combination. Here, The Roasted Dad gives you a fresh, Mzansi take on a wood-fired pizza that you can cook on a kettle braai.
· Beetroot, apple and plum salad with a creamy blue cheese, toasted walnut and orange balsamic dressing – Don’t forget to add the season’s stone fruits to your braai sides. This delicious salad recipe pairs well with ostrich or lamb. Rich earth notes and the sweet and tangy apple will bring delight to your dinner table.
Let’s face it, braai broodjie recipes have never been set in stone. Try a new combination, Peach and Mozzarella Braai Broodjies with Thyme. These crispy toasted sandwiches with melted mozzarella and a delicious fruity and herby twist will impress your guests, young and old.
Finish off your braai in style with some Nectarine Possets. Try this recipe created by Angie Batis Durrant.
These top four braai tips from Shawn Godfrey aka The Roasted Dad will elevate any braai occasion:
1. Use seasonal stone fruit and don’t be afraid to treat the fruit like you would when marinading and grilling a piece of meat. Choose your favourite herbs and spices and add a dash of olive oil and let the fruit marinade overnight. Grill on high heat and get all those delicious grill flavours before serving.
2. Always consider the type of meat you are about to cook and then align the temperature to the desired outcome. If you are cooking various meats at the same time, then create heat zones such as low, medium and hot areas. Place the meat over the correct zone to get the best results.
3. When you remove meat off the fire, it continues to cook for at least 5-10 minutes. Consider this and ensure you don’t cook the meat to your exact desired temperature but rather take it off the coals just before and then let it rest.
4. Always use a good quality type of wood to create coals. The ideal type of wood is a hardwood such as sekel hout or kameel doring. The problem with cheaper mediums is that they lose heat over time quickly and don’t provide a consistent base for your cooking.
For more inspiration and recipes, follow @juicydelicioussa on Instagram or visit www.juicydelicious.co.za