A Traditional South African Braai… In the Lido!

A South African braai is like an American BBQ. Friends, family, and neighbors come together to share an epic feast of delectable meats, sides, and desserts over the course of many hours. A traditional braai is cooked on local wood, a modern-day braai uses charcoal… absolutely no gas allowed!

Braai is an essential part of South African culture, and the Zaandam threw its very own braai to say “Totsiens!” to South Africa.

Let’s dive in!

First off, the breads.

Roostercook is a traditional bread that is simply grilled dough (pictured below). The cooking technique gives it a smoky flavor and doughy texture, making it far superior to your typical dinner roll. There was also a flat bread that was similar to naan as well as mealie bread, which is a South African corn bread.

Next are the cold salads and meats.

The star was the biltong, which is a dried, cured meat that people from the US will know as jerky. There was another dried meat called Coppa, as well as salami and prosciutto (which I don’t believe are South African…). This section also included a 3 bean salad, an avocado salad, a cucumber ribbon salad, and a roasted vegetable salad.

The Carving Board

Usually the carving board has the likes of chicken and brisket, but for the braai, they were serving up blue wildebeest. I didn’t try any, but it looked like steak! (What’s a normal Lido dinner like? Click HERE to find out!)

The Mains

Instead of fish, carrots, and baked potato, the hot line was adorned with exotic meats that had everyone scratching their heads. Here’s the rundown!

Amber Ale Sticky Blesbok Shank: Blesbok is an antelope that has a white face and reddish-brown coat. The meat is similar to beef, but it has less fat and more flavor. The flavor reminded me of a gamier beef, and it was super tender despite the low fat content. (The mound on the very top of my plate in the photo above.)

Curried Crocodile: This was my first time having crocodile that wasn’t fried, and I will say it actually does taste just like chicken! The texture was a bit gummier, but the flavor was great and I would have had no idea it was crocodile.

Peri Peri Shrimp and Chicken: Peri Peri is a type of chili pepper that can be made into sauces and rubs. It’s a staple throughout Mozambique, South Africa, and other surrounding countries. I tried the peri peri shrimp—the heat was  dialed down because they know their audience (AKA American), but it was still quite tasty!

Eland Tournedos: An eland is the largest antelope species that can be found in eastern and southern Africa. Its statute and size are similar to a cow, but it tastes like a sweeter, less gamy venison. My piece of eland was quite rare, so I only took a couple small bites. I would eat it again if it was presented to me, but I wouldn’t seek it out.

Boerewors: This is a South African sausage that’s made from minced meat and spices (usually cilantro seed, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.) It was packed full of flavor and my second favorite meat after the crocodile.

 

Chakalaka: Chakalaka is a side dish that’s made of beans, veggies, onions, pepper, and tomatoes. It is traditionally quite spicy (although not on the ships because, well, Americans), and you can check out a traditional recipe HERE.  I really liked it, and would certainly seek it out again!

South African Broodjies

Broodjies are grilled sandwiches, and they are a staple of any braai. There were 3 different options on offer, but I didn’t try any of them because I was to fixated on the meats.

Desserts

Malva Pudding: This traditional South African dessert is a sweet pudding with a spongy texture. It’s usually has apricot jam, and it’s served with a warm custard. I tried the walnut and pear sticky caramel malva. It reminded me of a bread pudding–  super delicious *chefs kiss*

Milk Tart: Milk tarts are another traditional South African dessert, and they are similar to a custard pie. They are made from milk, eggs, sugar, and flour, but have a higher ratio of milk to eggs. It was light and delicate, and quite tasty.

Was this South African Braai on the Zaandam actually traditional?

Beats me! I’ve never been to a traditional South African braai. But after this meal, I certainly would like to!