Sitting around the braai, everyone assumes that the meat is the main event when in reality, it’s the braaibroodjies. Not many people will admit it, but the braaibroodjies are secretly what they’re there for at some braais. You know it’s true! We’ve all hankered after a garlicy, buttery, crispy braai brood side before, and it’s because they’re just so good! The traditional braaibrood side was made with garlic, onion, tomato, and cheese between two slices of bread on the braai. Oh, how that has changed. Creativity and a taste for the more delicious (although the traditional version was tasty) have transformed this SA braai side into somewhat of a delectable treat. The showier the braai brood, the more it is enjoyed!
It goes without saying that braaibroodjies are a South African food staple at social and family gatherings. If there’s a braai, these braai sides are there, guaranteed! They are one of the most iconic braai sides around. Lovers of braaibroodjies across the nation have been dabbling with personal tweaks and twists to their own recipes for years. Still, we’re willing to bet that none compares to the braaibroodjie twist of all time: the braaiboat. Of course, if you have a personalised or tweaked your own recipe, we would love to hear about it. Drop your comments below! We can’t have you keeping an excellent braaibroodjie recipe to yourself!
Without much further ado, let’s get elbows deep in the kind of braaibroodjie recipe that has you hmm-hmm-hmm-ing!
The braai side of all braai sides – enter the spotlight; the braaiboat!
This recipe is going to have your mouth watering in no time! Here’s what to do.
What you need for the tomato relish
- 4 plump and juicy tomatoes
- 1 large diced onion
- 2 garlic cloves grated (add more if you are brave enough)
- 2 diced green peppers
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or oil of your choosing)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 generous handful of fresh basil leaves
What you need for the braaiboat
- 1 large ciabatta (you can use a French loaf or anything similar if ciabatta isn’t available)
- 2 mielies with the corn cut from the cob
- 1 pack of Fry’s Rice & Chia Nuggets (you can use any nuggets of your choosing here)
- Several stalks of fresh spring onion chopped up
- 1 cup of grated cheese
What to do
Bringing all these ingredients together to create one of the most delicious braai brood sides you have ever had is the fun part. We’re willing to go out on a limb and say that this is one of the best braaibroodjie recipes we have ever tried. Now it’s your turn. Follow the simple instructions below.
- Select a medium-size frying pan and lightly fry the onions in the oil.
- Add the grated garlic and let it gently heat with the onions (do this on low to medium heat and ensure there is enough oil; otherwise, the garlic will burn and turn black)
- Add the green pepper to the pan and lightly fry along with the onion and garlic. Keep stirring to make sure nothing sticks.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and the sugar to the pan and let this simmer on medium heat for around 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper, and then add the handful of fresh basil to the pan.
- Set the pan to one side.
- Bake the nuggets in the oven per the package instructions (an air fryer works just as well for nuggets if you have one). When they are crispy and golden, remove them.
- Grab the bread roll and cut the top out, sort of like creating a channel in the top of the roll. Ensure that you merely remove a chunk from the top so that the roll can still maintain its supporting shape. The bread roll should now have a hollow top. Keep the removed piece of bread as a lid.
- Layer the ingredients: braai relish, mielies, nuggets, braai relish again, and then the grated cheese.
- Push the hollowed-out piece of bread lid back on top and wrap the load in tin foil.
- Pop the load on the braai and let it heat for around 20 to 25 minutes. This is to heat the cheese and crisp the roll a bit.
- Once the roll is cooked, unwrap it and throw the chopped spring onion on top.
This braaibroodjie is best served with little dipping bowls of chutney and mayonnaise. Some even enjoy eating a chunk of this bread with a fresh green salad as their main meal.
You don’t even have to taste that South African braai broodjie recipe to know that it is one of the best! Perhaps now it’s your turn to try it out (and actually give it a taste)! Let us know about your favourite braaibroodjie recipes too.
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