The 24th of September is Heritage Day in South Africa. This public holiday has affectionately become known as National Braai Day! Braai is not just a word but a way of life and an indispensable part of your South African experience. Two of our favourite recipes to showcase the local fervor for this way of preparing, eating and sharing over open coals are stokbrood and potjie.

Stokbrood, braaibroodjie and roosterkoek are all foolproof and are variations of bread cooked over the coals. Our favourite is stokbrood, and this is how we make it. Throw a basic bread dough together, let it rest for 30 minutes. Roll out and cut into strips 20mm x 300mm long. Twist around a skewer and seal the ends with a bit of water. Braai until done, on a medium-heat fire for a fabulous charred flavour. Enjoy with lots of butter.

After a morning game drive, we love to surprise guests with a bush breakfast; there is nothing like eating outdoors surrounded by nature. A bush breakfast is another opportunity for us to showcase our braai skills with our unequalled breakfast potjie. This is a spin on a full English breakfast - a bush combination of bacon, pork sausage, tomato, onion and mushroom, with eggs dropped into the middle and sprinkled with cheese. All cooked over open coals in a traditional South African cast iron cooking pot (potjie). Who can resist?

Before you tuck into your bush breakfast - you will be introduced to another South African tradition - the rusk and coffee. Locals will tell you that the accepted and correct way to eat a rusk is to dip it in a cup of tea or coffee. (Anyone who tells you otherwise does not deserve to eat them.) This requires practice because if you leave the rusk in the beverage for too long, it gets soggy and could break off into the cup. Because it’s Heritage Day, treat yourself to a decadent Amarula Coffee. Your rusk will be even more delicious! Amarula is a cream liqueur made from the Marula fruit and pairs perfectly with a deep, smooth coffee.

Melktert (Afrikaans for milk tart) is a jewel in the South African food repertoire that can be served as a dessert or a tea-time treat. Melktert originated from Dutch settlers who arrived in Cape Town in the 1600s and is a sweet treat with a rich pastry crust filled with creamy custard made from eggs, flour, milk and sugar.

Heritage Day is an opportunity for all South Africans to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions. Cheers to South Africa this 24th of September and all her unique characteristics, particularly her delicious recipes, which we love sharing with guests.