Roodeberg adds a fresh twist to the traditional braai

Roodeberg, South Africa’s iconic heritage wine with a lifetime of stories in every bottle, is best enjoyed around the braai with family and friends.

While Roodeberg has evolved over time since its first release in 1949, the wine remains rooted in tradition and continues to bring people together with its outstanding quality and consistent drinking pleasure.

The new 2021 vintage of the Classic Red Blend is the latest chapter in Roodeberg’s legendary story. Already lauded as an award winning wine with a Gold medal at the 2022 Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards, Roodeberg Classic Red 2021 is vibrant and silky smooth. This superbly textured wine erupts in your glass with aromatic layers of fresh red and dark fruit, hints of spice and dark chocolate. Nuances of cedar oak and dark plums, supported by sleek tannins linger long after the last sip.

This multi-varietal blend works its magic with all your favourite braai staples hot off the coals. A cinch with juicy chops, ribs and chicken, the wine’s fruity, spicy character also goes down beautifully with meat-free alternatives.

Inspired by Roodeberg’s journey as an evolving contemporary wine with a proud heritage, well-known food writer, Ilse van der Merwe of www.thefoodfox.com has given a delicious new twist to the traditional boerewors and braaibroodjie. Her super easy recipes are especially moreish when shared around the braai with a bottle of Roodeberg Classic Red Blend.


Quick & easy braaibroodjie flatbread

Recipe by Ilse van der Merwe of www.thefoodfox @The_FoodFox

This wonderful yeast-free recipe doesn’t require any long kneading or proofing, just mix until it comes together, roll or press out, and bake. That means you don’t need to plan too far ahead, you can mix it up and have the flatbread ready to serve in about 30 minutes from scratch! Soft and pillowy in the centre, perfectly crunchy on the edges. A mature cheddar will bring you the most flavour, but use whichever cheese you prefer. And the best part? It tastes just as good at room temperature as it does when it’s warm.

Ingredients (serves 6):

250 g (1¾ cup) white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
15 ml (1 tablespoon) baking powder
5 ml (1 teaspoon salt)
250 g (1 cup) double cream yoghurt
30 ml (2 tablespoons) butter, melted, for brushing (or olive oil)
About 80 ml (? cup) chutney
1½ – 2 cups mature cheddar, grated
2 large (or a handful small) tomatoes, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced into rounds
Salt & pepper, to taste
A handful fresh wild rocket leaves, to serve (optional)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220° C.
For the flatbread dough: place the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium-large mixing bowl and stir well. Add the yoghurt, then use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix until it gets clumpy. Continue mixing by hand until most of the flour is incorporated and shape into a ball. Dust a clean working surface generously with flour, then use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangular shape, large enough to snugly fit into a standard baking tin (about 37 x 25 cm) – or use floured hands to press it out evenly. Transfer the dough to the baking tin lined with non-stick baking paper, then press it gently into all four corners. Brush all over with melted butter or olive oil, then bake for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven, then use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to distribute the chutney all over the surface. Top with grated cheese, tomatoes, onion and some salt & pepper. Return to the oven for another 12 minutes or until golden brown all over. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wooden serving board, top with some rocket leaves, then slice into portions. Serve hot or at room temperature.


Boerewors tortillas

Recipe by Ilse van der Merwe of www.thefoodfox @The_FoodFox

We’re taking a fresh look at boerewors with a little inspiration from Mexico! These generous tortillas are a great way to entertain a crowd, because you can create a convenient self-help station with all the various toppings in separate bowls. Braaied mielies can be cut from their cobs to add the most delicious sweet and smoky texture. A store-bought Mexican-style salsa takes the place of a traditional tomato ‘smoor’, but you can still opt to make your own.

Ingredients (serves 4):

250g small tomatoes, sliced
1 red onion, finely sliced
1 – 2 ripe avocados sliced or diced
250 g sour cream
1 jar Mexican-style tomato or chipotle salsa
2 cups shredded lettuce
A small punnet coriander leaves
500 g boerewors
2 – 3 mielies (corn on the cob)
4 large or 8 small soft tortillas (corn or flour)
A few lemon/lime wedges, to serve

Method:

Prepare your fire for a braai. In the meantime, place the prepared tomatoes, onion, avocado, sour cream, salsa, lettuce and coriander in separate serving bowls to get your tortilla self-help station ready before you start to braai the boerewors. Braai the ‘wors’ and mielies on a grid over medium hot coals until cooked to your liking, turning them often. Remove from the heat and keep warm. Give your tortillas a quick toast on the grid using tongs to turn them over – you just want to freshen them up. Stack the hot tortillas and cover with a clean cloth to keep them soft. Cut the corn from the cobs and get ready to serve at once. To assemble: Place a toasted tortilla on a plate, then top with some tomato, onion, avocado, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, coriander, a piece of boerewors, some corn, and a squeeze of lime/lemon.

Chef’s note: As an alternative, you can cook the boerewors in a pan on the stove instead of over the coals, and grill the mielies in a hot skillet until charred on all sides.

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