In the spirit of putting a spotlight on our heritage, there is nothing that hits closer to home than healthy hearty meals to enjoy with your loved ones.
On Heritage Day, also known as a braai day, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up our nation.
The day is characterised by friends and families getting together, cooking and sharing meals. It also serves as an opportunity to share and pass on cultural and nutritional knowledge and skills.
Wilmi Hudsonberg, a spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics, says, “many of the meals we share are around a fire but are often accompanied by food that’s not healthy for our hearts”.
Hudsonberg advises choosing proteins wisely – lean meats, such as fish and skinless chicken breast instead of too much red meat. If you do opt for red meat, rather buy loin or tender cuts and remove any visible fat before cooking.
“Marinate or rub meat with salt-free spices and lemon which add amazing flavour and will reduce the need for salt, which heightens your risk of hypertension. Use chilli, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, black pepper, paprika, thyme or rosemary for a lip-licking taste.”
“Fill up your plate with grilled vegetables, salads and side dishes. The more colour you add, the better. In South Africa, we have a great selection of fruit throughout the year so be sure to add these to the braai menu. Meat and veg sosaties (kebabs) are always a hit. Add red, green or yellow peppers, butternut, baby marrows, eggplant, mushrooms and onions to the skewer and brush with healthy oil before grilling.
“When preparing salads or side dishes, don’t drown them in salty sauces or heavy store-bought dressings,” Hudsonberg said.
Pick n Pay dietitian Juliet Fearnhead shares tips and hacks for healthy sides and veggies:
- Wrap sweet potato and butternut in foil and toss them into the coals – these veggies are loaded with fibre, B vitamins and vitamin C.
- Pre-boil mealies until just tender then place on the braai until charred on the outside, and sprinkle with chilli flakes.
- Take a bunch of trimmed asparagus, toss with a little olive or canola oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and pop on the braai for 2 – 3 minutes.
- Asparagus is a nutrient-packed vegetable. It is a very good source of fibre, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium.
- Add vegetables to kebabs – peppers, mushrooms, baby marrows and brinjals marinated in lemon juice and balsamic vinegar work perfectly. Remember to pre-soak wooden skewer sticks for 30 minutes to prevent the ends from burning.
- Consider healthy toppings over ice cream, such as chocolate bananas or fruit salad. Grilled fruit is also delicious! The natural sugars caramelise in the high heat, which makes it extra sweet and flavourful.
Healthy braai day does not need to be boring, here are recipes that are healthy that will make your braai day memorable.
Avocado braai salad
Some people may be looking for a cheat meal on their braai day. But that doesn’t mean that healthy meals should be sucked out of the window. This side is one of the perfect ways to stay healthy without feeling like you are eating rabbit food. This salad is vegan and gluten free.
Serves: 4 – 6
Ingredients for the dressing
¼ cup honey
¼ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup poppy seeds
Salad ingredients
1 red onion, sliced
6 ripe avocados, peeled & sliced
2 naartjies, broken into segments
100g caramelised pecan nuts
Method
Make the dressing by combining all the ingredients in a screw top bottle and shake to combine.
In a small bowl marinate the red onion for 5 – 10 minutes in the dressing.
Arrange the avocado on a platter, with the naartjies and nuts, pour the dressing and marinated onions over the salad.
Serve immediately.
Recipe from South African Avocado Growers’ Association.
Colourful slaw with ginger and peanuts
Ingredients for the dressing
¼ cup olive or canola oil
3 tbs red grape or apple cider vinegar
2 tbs soy sauce
4 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
1 small red chilli, seeded and finely chopped, or to taste (optional)
3 tbs chopped fresh coriander or parsley
¼ cup finely chopped unsalted peanuts lemon juice and black pepper to taste
Ingredients for the salad
500ml each shredded white and red cabbage (or more white)
1 large spinach leaf, shredded
2 carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
¼ cucumber, quartered and thinly sliced
1 medium pineapple, quartered and thinly sliced
1 celery stalk with the leaves, thinly sliced
½ red or green pepper, seeded, quartered and thinly sliced
Method
Dressing: stir all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Salad: mix all the slaw ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and toss well. Allow salad to stand for 10 – 15 minutes before serving it. This will allow the salad to marinate.
Serve slaw as a side dish at a braai.
Tips
- This dressing can be used as a marinade for fish, chicken, pork or veggies.
- Add toasted coconut to the dressing instead of the peanuts.
- Serve with steak or leftover braaied chicken in whole-wheat rolls or pitas.
Recipes from Cooking from the Heart’s special braai edition.
Chicken feet
Chicken feet have been loved by many South Africans over the years, but in recent years there has been a growing trend of using them as low calorie snacks. This trend has been made popular by many social media users who post chicken feet recipes on keto and banting groups as inexpensive snack options.
Ingredients
1kg chicken feet
2 onions, finely chopped
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs chicken stock
1tsp curry powder
1tsp turmeric
1tsp garam masala
1tsp paprika
3 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 cup of water
Method
Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry onions until brown.
Add dry ingredients – curry powder, paprika and turmeric.
Add chicken feet, chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce and combine. Allow to fry for 2 – 3 minutes.
Add a cup of water and boil for 35 – 45 minutes.
Recipe by Nomfundo Mcoyi.