How to host a successful plant-based braai

Lutho Pasiya

HAVING a braai during Heritage Month has become the norm for most South Africans, especially on September 24 which is Heritage Day.

Heritage Day celebrates South Africa’s diverse cultural heritage, and food plays an important role. Having a braai, which is SA’s version of a barbeque, is a big part of the celebrations for locals and just about everyone enjoys having one. We all want to be able to celebrate this day, no matter what our foodie preference. And braais are by no means for meat-lovers alone. With the holiday upon us, this can be a stressful time for people who just started following a plant-based diet as they might have no idea what to cook or prepare on the braai this holiday season. If you are one of those people or have a family member who is following the diet, here is what to consider.

HAVING a braai on Heritage Month has become the norm for most South Africans, especially on September 24 which is Heritage Day. | Pexels

Starters

Vegan cook and founder of The Vegan Kitchen, Catherine Phillips said a variety of salads like potato salad, coleslaw, rice salad, and pasta salad (use egg-free mayonnaise-like Tastee, Crosse & Blackwell Trim, and B-well) are perfect and that you should not add cheese, feta or any meat to salads. Phillips also suggested making garlic bread with coconut oil and garlic. For the braai, you can find vegetable sausages, patties, or schnitzels at the supermarket. She said they do not take long to cook and you will need to have them in an ovenproof dish or pan on the fire as some people do not like their food touching a meaty grill

Main course

You can make your own veggie burgers and grilled vegetables. So, how do you whip up your own burger at home using pantry staples, and what vegetables to use?

Food stylist, photographer, and home chef, Kauthar Noor, suggested sweet potatoes, carrots, kidney beans, mushrooms, and peas. Practically any combination of veggies can come together for a scrumptious burger, according to Noor.

She said the great thing about all this is that you can make it your own and add pretty much any vegetables that you enjoy.

If you are after that meaty pink colour that hamburger patties tend to have when you bite into them, Noor recommended using finely grated beetroot. As for that juicy meaty flavour, she said you can use cooked finely-diced mushrooms, a splash of soy sauce, minced garlic, and tomato paste for that great umami flavour.

Also providing tips for healthy sides and veggies is dietitian, Juliet Fearnhead, who suggested you pre-boil mealies until just tender then place them 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. Slice brinjals and baby marrows lengthways, brush with a little oil, and cook on the braai,” said Fearnhead.

Dessert

And since you have already got the grill fired up, why not pop on some grilled fruit for dessert?

Grilled bananas coated in brown sugar are a local classic, perfect for any braai day.

Grilled mielies are exceptionally tasty with miso-butter.

Make a delicious coleslaw salad to go with your warm food.