South Africa in 2010 : Vetkoek

If you didn't know anything about South Africa before June this year you would have been excused, but since the start of the Fifa World Cup 2010 you certainly do not have any excuses. We might not have shown much promise on the field, but we have shown South African hospitality at it's best.

It doesn't matter to us which team you support, we welcome you and if you don't feel at home then it it entirely your loss. Those who could not travel here have been spoilt for choice in enjoying the best of our country in every way - from scenery (see below) to food.

 With many South African dishes, it is not only the meat that plays an important part of a dish, but what you serve it with. Some fine examples would be :

1. Wors (local sausage), this can be served with either with meiliemeal ("pap and wors") or a bread roll, which is then called a "borrie roll".  
2. Curry Mince, you can have it with rice (boring), in a hollowed out half loaf of bread (a bunny chow), in a roti / wrap (then it's called a salomi) or one of my favourites : VETKOEK (direct translation would be fat cake).

I made vetkoek this weekend. I didn't serve it with mince, but with my personal choice of home made peach jam and cheese.

It is really easy, all you need to do is make a batch of white bread dough, and allow it to rise until double in size. You can also use shop bought bread dough.
Then you heat up a pot of oil to about 180°C and deep fry balls of flattened dough (about the size and thickness of your palm), until they are browned and cooked through.
Serve hot with a topping of choice - honey or syrup work really well too.