If you're not familiar with South African terms, that means the barbeque. Yes, it's that time of year again here in good old England, where we start dusting off the garden grills and barbeques in the hope that we may get chance to use them. If you have everything prepared and are ready to rush outside at a moment's notice, during the brief and fickle appearance of the sun, then you might just get chance! For South African ex-pats, the braai is a way of life and the range of cuisine that has developed from the tradition has long been part of South African culture. If you are planning some al-fresco fun this summer, a look at some of the delicacies available from South Africa is a must. If you have South African friends, they will certainly appreciate the taste of home.

Cured for homesickness - Biltong

South African foods are varied and have developed over several centuries, blending cultures and flavours along the way. Early Dutch settlers brought with them a taste for preserved meat, surprising when they had spent months on ships with nothing else to eat! However, the processes these intrepid explorers used to cure and dry meat led to the development of the highly appetising 'Biltong'. Biltong has been gaining popularity outside of South Africa for several years now.

As South African communities have appeared in Europe and Australia, they have brought their love of biltong with them. Similar to American Jerky, Biltong is tasty, healthy Buy Biltong and nutritious. It can be eaten as a snack and is consumed in large quantities as such in South Africa, but it is perhaps more flexible than its American cousin. The meat - usually beef, but variations include venison, ostrich and even warthog - is cut into thick strips and cured in vinegar and a mixture of spices. Once this process is complete it is then air dried - outside in the home made varieties or in a cool room with fans used to create an air-flow in the case of commercially produced ones. Delicious added to stews, it can also be added to salads or soft cheeses to make great and unique spreads.

Sausages and Sauces

Boerewors is an extremely popular sausage in South Africa - ideal for the summer Braai. Formed in a circular shape, like our own Cumberland, they again have origins with the early settlers. Derived from the Dutch Verse Worst, they are made using a mix of beef and pork or lamb. In South Africa itself they can be found in just about every butcher and the recipes for them are endless. They do commonly include coriander in the mix, which helps to preserve the meat with its high antioxidant levels - as well as giving them a spicy edge. Grilled on the barbeque they are a great alternative to our traditional bangers, and if you are cooking them be sure to add a little of Mrs Ball's Chutney, another spicy specialty.

Washing it down

For your South African themed barbeque don't forget the all-important authentic drinks. Hunters Gold cider will go down a treat with your ex-pat guests, along with the Hansa Pilsener. If the weather holds out long enough, you'll be able to provide them with a truly nostalgic reminder of home, but be warned, you could also find yourself hooked on the South African way of life - and cooking.

Lynette Holroyd: Cruga Biltong.co.uk make, to a unique family recipe and supply biltong and boerewors for the UK market. They also stock a range of South African foods.