Heritage Day is yet another reason to celebrate what makes us, us! Mark your calendars – the 24th September is coming up soon and here at BOS, we’re big fans of a cheeky public holiday. This Heritage Day is no different to any other and we want to get you ready to go BOS! From the immaculate sense of humour to our thriving, eclectic cultures, we could not be prouder to be South African. Heritage Day speaks to each and every one of us, highlighting the shared belief that our differences ultimately are what bring us together.
As South Africans, we don’t really need an excuse to whip out the braai tongs and what better day to do it than on Braai Day? With the goal of bringing you the vibrancy and colour that so aptly reflects our nation, here are some creative braai ideas and ways to incorporate the flavour and flair of BOS into your South African traditional braai food:
1. BOS Rooibos Ice Tea Marinade
Effortlessly add a subtle sweetness to any Heritage Day braai vleis by using ice tea as a base for your marinade. Simply combine a cup of BOS Rooibos Ice Tea with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lemon juice and a drop of honey. Mix all the ingredients, add the meat and make sure it’s well coated. Let it sit in the juices for at least 2 hours before serving. Paired with lamb tjops, boerie or chicken, it’s CHEF’S KISS. Don’t forget to leave some extra to baste your meat on the braai.
Our top tip? Buy a 1,5l bottle of BOS Rooibos Ice Tea so you can drink a glass (or two) while you prep the marinade. Nothing goes to waste!
2. BOS Organic Rooibos Tea Basting Sauce
Speaking of basting, did you know that you can also use our BOS Organic Rooibos Tea as a component of a delectable basting sauce? Reduce the cooled tea with some chutney, mustard and just a touch of vinegar. Get spicing with paprika, coriander and cumin for an extra punch of deliciousness. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, simmer on low heat until the sauce thickens slightly (roughly 10 mins or so), baste the meat on the braai and allow yourself to be amazed by this unique, shiny, caramelised glaze. Genius! Why didn’t we think of this before?
3. BOS Organic Rooibos Tea Pampoenkoekies
Ready for something a bit sweeter? Here’s one for you. Add 1 cup of mashed pumpkin, 1 cup of flour, 1 egg, ½ cup of cooled BOS Organic Rooibos Tea, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to a bowl to form a batter. Fry teaspoons of the mixture on a medium heat until golden on both sides. Serve with all the fixings – cinnamon sugar, syrup and voila you have a masterpiece!
Here’s a little tip: If you’re looking to add a natural sweetness, use any flavour of our BOS Rooibos Ice Tea and adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly.
A South African Experience
These are just a few suggestions on how to add some rooibos flair to your traditional food. The cool thing about Rooibos is that, not only is it super versatile, but also has incredible health benefits too.
As we all know, enjoying a cup of rooibos is a big part of the South African experience which is why Heritage Day seems like an obvious time to experiment & test these recipes. Whether you’re hosting a snoek braai, serving potjiekos or indulging in dikgobe, know that Heritage day is all about you!
So, enjoy a Rooibos infused feast, tell stories around the fire and let’s celebrate the country we call home.
Happy Heritage Day!
