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South Africa

The Republic of South Africa sits at the southern tip of Africa. A racially diverse country, South Africa is sometimes called the “Rainbow Nation” because of its multi-ethnic make up. There are eleven official languages. Early native inhabitants were hunters, gatherers and herdsmen. Colonization all but destroyed their ways of life. The search for spices in the East Indies brought the first Europeans, and the Cape area was strategically crucial for provisioning trading ships. The Dutch were the first to settle an outpost, in 1652, at Cape Town. Soon after, in 1806, the British annexed the colony. Colonial cooking became known as Cape Dutch, a spice-friendly cuisine that reflects Bengal, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian influences. Ginger, chili, garlic, onions, and tomatoes are well-worn ingredients. And curry dishes and chutneys are popular. Meat dishes tend to dominate the plate (meat pies, sausages, stews, and roasted, grilled and dried meats). Barbecues (braai) are big socializing events in South Africa. Seafood is also important, including prawns, oysters, and various local fish, like the kingklip.

Featured Cook zesty Cooking Level: Beginning Home Town: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa Living In: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa

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