At last summer arrived at the British shores. The sky is a brilliant blue with no cloud in sight and the sun is warm and bright. Whiffs of grilling meat have started filling the air. What are you planning to cook on your barbecue today?
There are a lot of strange food, from a western perspective, to be had in this world. With the burgeoning population of over 7 billion worldwide and the demand for meat ever increasing in developing countries, sooner or later we are going to hit a brick wall. Meat markets already struggle to keep up with the growing demand and at some point we'll have to seriously consider turning to insects for our fill of protein.
What caught my eye were the Witchetty Grub from Australia. It distinctly reminded me of the Mopane Worm hailing from South Africa. Come on, have a closer look. Just buy some onions to go with them and you're set.
By now, in my 30's, the desire to try this delicacy hasn't overcome me and I think I'll turn vegan before letting one reach my mouth. I've been told mopani worms taste like chicken. Alrighty then!
I hope I haven't scared you off trying South African food though, because the melting pot of nationalities have so much to offer. Just check out these meat skewers, called "sosaties", that you will find at every single "braai" (barbecue) in South Africa. Sosaties can be made from chicken, lamb, beef, pork and turkey with a range of different marinades to suit each taste. In this case, the sauce comes from the Cape Malay region and the use of apricot jam is a dead giveaway that it's a South African recipe.
In traditional recipes it calls for lamb leg steak and mutton fat. The latter is used to keep the meat from drying out but by using only lamb shoulder matters are simplified because the meat is naturally more layered and marbled with fat than in leg. In this case I threaded onions, dried apricots and bay on the skewers, but there is nothing stopping you from adding your own colourful spin on things, e.g. different coloured peppers, mushrooms and other vegetables.
There are plenty of marinade and it's possible for you to use even more meat. If you do end up with some marinade, don't forget to baste the meat as it's cooking. I returned my marinade to the hob and boiled it for another 5 minutes to cook any raw juices and bits of meat that may have remained and used it as a dipping sauce!
Curious about South African Cuisine? Check out these cookbooks!
- South African Illustrated Cookbook
- The Complete South African Cookbook
- Flavours from the Rainbow Nation
- Food and Cooking of South Africa
- Afro-vegan: Farm-fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Food Remixed
Have you ever tried South African cuisine? What is your favourite dish?
Print📖 Recipe
Lamb & Apricot Sosaties
- Yield: 10
Description
Author: Michelle Minnaar
Give your barbecue a Cape Malay twist.
Ingredients
- 45ml (3 tbsp) olive oil
- 3 onions, peeled and quartered
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 5cm (2in) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped finely
- 45ml (3 tbsp) curry powder
- 15ml (1 tbsp) salt
- 10ml (2 tsp) pepper
- 45ml (3 tsbp) white wine vinegar
- 150ml (5oz) apricot jam
- 45ml (3 tbsp) brown sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 30ml (2 tbsp) cornflour
- 1 deboned lamb shoulder, weighing approximately 1kg (2.5lbs), cut into 2.5cm (1in) cubes
- 20 dried apricots
Instructions
- Heat the oil and gently fry the onions and garlic until softened.
- Add the ginger, curry, salt, pepper, vinegar, jam, sugar and bay to the pan and mix thoroughly.
- Make slurry with the cornflour and stir into the marinade.
- Bring to the boil and boil for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Transfer the marinade to a large dish and let it cool down.
- Add the lamb cubes and marinate them for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight in the fridge.
- Soak the apricots in hot water to cover until plump.
- If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water too to prevent them from burning.
- Remove the meat from the marinade and thread it onto the skewers alternating between meat, apricots and onion.
- Braai (Barbecue) the sosaties over moderate coals, or grill in the oven, turning frequently, for 25 minutes, or until cooked.
Notes
- You can use lamb leg instead of shoulder. Play around with different curry powders to find your favourite and if you can't get hold of any bay leaves, feel free to experiment with any of these bay leaf substitutes.
- Category: BBQ
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: South African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 209.1g
- Calories: 311
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 724 mg
- Fat: 12.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.7 g
- Fiber: 2.6 g
- Protein: 21.3 g
Renil M. George says
This lamb & apricot sosaties seems more yummy than Chicken suslick.
May says
Interesting, that looks like Malaysian Satay which is obviously another Cape Malay dish.
Jennifer says
I love your food blog! Please check out mine and let's connect?
swedishcavegirl.blogspot.com
Natalie Crossan says
Haven't tried, would love to xx
Sheila Reeves says
I have never tried south african cuisine - but looks & sounds delicious
Sheri Darby says
No i have never tried South African Cuisine - but it sounds delicious
Helen Garner says
I can't recall ever trying a South African dish
L BUNNING says
No, never tried it but hope to very soon!
Angie Hoggett says
not tried it but would like to
Angie Hoggett says
not tried it but would like to
Darlene says
I haven't had a chance to try any South African cuisine. Closest I've got is Ethiopian.
Victoria Prince says
I have never tried South African cuisine - it's all new to me!
Eleanor Powell says
Only Borewors
Kerry Kilmister says
I have never tried South African food but this recipe sounds delicious so would love to try.
Emma Wolski says
No never but would like to!
Alison Barker says
No, not yet.
Alison Barker says
No, not yet.
donna l jones says
have never tried
Stephanie Whitehouse says
It's new to me, but looks worth trying
Denise S says
never tried any but now will try to soon
Joanna Sawka says
I haven’t tried it yet
Sue Dorking says
I haven't tried any but it looks delicious!
Chantelle Kemp says
Not yet but I love trying new food so this would be perfect!!
Chantelle Kemp says
Not yet but I love trying new food so this would be perfect!!
Sarah Robertson says
I haven't tried it but would love to! 😀
Emily Knight says
I've had biltong before - I love it - and I've made bobotie...so good!
Helen Allan says
Not tried anything yet but I am now tempted. Thank you!
Sarah Parker says
would love to try
Antonia Rookley says
I've never tried South African cuisine but it looks delicious.
Kristy Brown says
I have never tried it but it always looks so vibrant and tasty
Kristy Brown says
I have never tried it but it always looks so vibrant and tasty
Kristy Brown says
I have never tried it but it always looks so vibrant and tasty
Karen Lloyd says
I have never tried South African cuisine but bobotie sounds delicious. A bit like a spicy shepherds pie I think.
Eleanor Wigmore says
I don't think I've tried any. Would love to. Tried South African wine which was very good!
Mark Chamberlin says
Yes I have several friends from SA and I love "Biltong" and "boerewors", you can get it at on the sausage stand on Norwich market!
EMMA WALTERS says
NO TRIED ANY, BUT WOULD LOVE TO
Andrew Hindley says
Have tried Ostrich meat
claire woods says
I have never tried South African cuisine.
Clare B. says
No, I haven't tried South African cuisine but would like too. My partner loves South Africa and keeps promising me we will go.
Elizabeth Hinds says
I haven't yet - I must try and make something!
Elizabeth Hinds says
I haven't yet - I must try and make something!
Elizabeth Hinds says
I haven't yet - I must try and make something!
Helen says
never tried it
leanne weir says
no i havent tried any
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
Mmmmm sosaties! As you know, I love maling these as a reminder of home. Mopane worms, not so much...! Always love dried fruit with my meat - you can take the girl out of South Africa but... 😉
Sarah Franks says
I've tried a variety of both African and Carribean cuisine, and loved both. Really, I'm more a fan of West African cuisine than South African, but that's probably just that I've tried more of it having lived in an area with a lot of West Africans. I plan to spend a lot more time travelling in Africa, and can't wait to really learn the nuances of South African cuisine - I feel like such a oimbe when it comes to their food, even though I probably know more than most Europeans.
Katherine Coldicott says
Not tried it.
Bryony Brooke says
No I haven't tried anything, would be interested in vegetarian recipes.
Bryony Brooke says
No I haven't tried anything, would be interested in vegetarian recipes.
Karen Scammell says
No but would love to try
Christine Constable says
Bobotie - I learnt to cook it at school, and then had it in South Africa on our honeymoon. It's one of my husband's favourite meals.
Charlene Price says
I've never tried South African cuisine, but would love to try it!
Kat Lucas says
I haven't tried any yet
Julie Booth says
No- I have never tried South African food
Heather T says
Nope, never tried South African
Mark Palmer says
Never tried it
Liz Marriott says
Never tried but always happy to have a go
Rhiannon P says
No, not yet... but is looks lovely, so maybe I should be a bit more bold with my cooking and give it a go! 😀
Ben Audsley says
ive never tried south african food - but would love to!
gemma brown says
not south african but i do cook a lot of north african foods. mostly moroccan
Paula Readings says
I have to admit, I have never tried it.
Paula Readings says
I have to admit, I have never tried it.
Paula Readings says
I have to admit, I have never tried it.
Hannah Ingham says
I've never tried that type of food!
Hannah Ingham says
I've never tried that type of food!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I spent some time in South Africa a couple of year ago but never tried these. I must rectify that.
kellyjo walters says
no not tried but I'm game to try anything once
pete c says
never tried, but would be happy to
Ashleigh Allan says
I don't think I have!
Ashleigh Allan says
I don't think I have!
frances hopkins says
Nope 🙁
Pamela Gossage says
Not yet but I am open to new things
laura banks says
looks yummy but i have never actually tried anything
Emma Archer says
I have never tried it but looks delicious!
iain maciver says
I don't think I have ever tried any I,m afraid maybe time for a change
Tania Atfield says
Not yet, love to try
Christine Dodd says
I've never tried it, but I'm open to new ideas, so enjoyed reading your article.
caroline walliss says
I have never tried South African cuisine but would like to.
Tracey Peach says
I haven't tried South African cuisine before but I'm keeping this recipe because it looks delicious!
Tracey Peach says
I haven't tried South African cuisine before but I'm keeping this recipe because it looks delicious!
Laura S says
Nope, not tried anything yet!
rominy colville says
have never tried but now I am keen too!
Kavey says
I've tried mopane worms, actually caterpillars, and I liked them. Even had more! But I'd rather eat your sosaties!
Paul Wilson says
I don't think I've ever tried South African cuisine.
Richard Randall says
Spent a few months there many moons ago> Thing that really stands out was the breakfasts.
Tracy Nixon says
Yes, I have tried Potjiekos and it was delicious!
Sarah (@tamingtwins) says
These look wonderful Michelle. I'm pinning the recipe to try on our first barbeque of the year. It's made me smile remembering the trip to South Africa where my husband proposed. (No Mopane worms though thank goodness..)
tamalyn roberts says
no i havent tried any, but they look scrumptious x
Miss Tracy Hanson says
Tried one or two, but the Bobotie is lovely. 😀
Miss Tracy Hanson says
Tried one or two, but the Bobotie is lovely. 😀
Rosa says
Scrumptious looking! A great combination of flavours.
Cheers,
Rosa