Food & wine Ideas for a bank holiday ‘wash out’.

After checking weather reports all week with the rather naïve hope we might actually have good bank holiday barbeque or braai weather, I have discovered that the met office have in fact predicted thunderstorms. Great!

My response to this is to put aside all thought of Braai-ing and focus on some wholesome indoor South African cuisine, washed down with a fantastically opulent bottle of South African red.

The dish I have chosen is the Bobotie.  For those not familiar, a rich spiced lamb or beef mince based dish with egg topping that has been enjoyed in the Cape since the 17^th century. Quick and easy to throw together, from ingredients that are readily available, this dish is something rich and warming for those wet and cold summer days! I found a fantastic looking recipe which I am going to try at:

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/609735

For the wine, you will need a hearty South African red with body enough to match this dish.  There are plenty of retailers offering wines that will work (ask your local wine merchant for suggestions) or perhaps check out Majestic. They have a few deals this month on South African Reds…. I recommend grabbing a couple of bottles of ‘The Caracal 2006 Neethlingshof, Stellenbosch’ (£6 off when you buy 2)*. Or there is always the Kanonkop Pinotage 2008/2009 Stellenbosch (£6 off when you but 2)*.

Check these (and more) South African Wine deals out at:

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword-is-south+africa/psi-is-1

If we do get some good weather this weekend then these wines are still very braai friendly…. However I won’t be holding my breath!

*Offers end 29^th of August.