South African foods are a rich blend of cultures, traditions and flavors from across the country. South African foods celebrate the country’s heritage and love for gathering around a good meal.
When I first arrived in South Africa, I was introduced to the South African staple, pap. Pap is a thick porridge made from maize (corn) meal. Pap is always eaten with your hands, and it is also always accompanying another food. A traditional food it is served with is called chakalaka. Chakalaka is a spicy South African vegetable dish made from beans, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and onions. It is usually cooked together with curry spices and served as a side dish.
When I first tried these foods, I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Pap and chakalaka together is for sure a comfort meal!
When buying pap, it comes in huge bags and looks like flour. To cook it, you boil water in a pot and slowly pour in the maize meal while stirring so it does not form lumps. Keep stirring until it thickens, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until it becomes firm and smooth. Once you are done, it looks like thick mashed potatoes.
