Chakalaka is a popular South African vegetable relish that has also become a beloved dish in Namibia. It is an easy, quick, and delicious recipe that combines a variety of flavors and complements many different dishes.
Made with bell peppers, grated carrots, baked beans, garlic, fresh ginger, and onion, and seasoned to perfection, chakalaka is a versatile and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
During my time as a geology student at the University of Namibia, I often turned to canned chakalaka, which can be found in almost every supermarket in the country. These canned versions come in different levels of spiciness, from mild to extra hot, and provide a convenient and tasty meal option.
Chakalaka can be served with a variety of dishes, such as Mielie Pap, grilled meat, fried eggs, or bread, and can be enjoyed as a side dish or as a main meal. Its versatility and delicious taste make it a favorite among many in southern Africa.
Ingredients used to make this recipe
1 medium onion
2 garlic cloves
2 large bell peppers (capsicum), (about 300 g/ 10 oz)
Begin by peeling and mincing the garlic and onions. Next, peel and grate the ginger root and dice the bell peppers. Then, peel the carrots and grate them.
In a large saucepan or pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 3 minutes.
Add the grated ginger and garlic and cook for another minute. Then add the bell pepper and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Add the grated carrots and another tablespoon of oil and cook for another 3 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, paprika, curry powder, cayenne pepper, ground pepper, salt, and sugar, and cook for another minute. Now stir in the canned tomatoes and hot water, and let it cook for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring continuously.
Stir in the baked beans. Bring it to a boil and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
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Simple Chakalaka Recipe
Chakalaka is a popular South African vegetable relish that has also become a beloved dish in Namibia. It is an easy, quick, and delicious recipe that combines a variety of flavors and complements many different dishes.
Peel and mince the garlic and onions. Next, peel and grate the ginger root and dice the bell peppers. Then, peel the carrots and grate them.
In a large saucepan or pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 3 minutes. Add the grated ginger and garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the bell pepper and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Then add the grated carrots and another tablespoon of oil and cook for another 3 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, paprika, curry powder, cayenne pepper, ground pepper, salt, and sugar or chutney, and cook for another minute. Now stir in the canned tomatoes and hot water, and let it cook for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring continuously.
Stir in the baked beans. Bring it to a boil and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Did you make this African vegetable relish recipe? I would love to hear about your experience! Simply leave a review and add rating to it.
Add 1 onion, 2 green peppers, 1 or 2 chillies, 2 cloves of garlic and 1 tablespoon of hot curry powder until the onions are soft. Add 4 carrots, 6 tomatoes and a tin of baked beans in tomato sauce. Mix well and allow to simmer on a medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Many variations of Chakalaka exist, depending on region and family tradition. Some versions include beans, cabbage and butternut squash. For example, canned baked beans, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and curry paste can be used to make the dish. It is frequently served at a braai (barbecue) or with a Sunday lunch.
Said to have originated with Mozambican mineworkers in Johannesburg, chakalaka is typically made with a blend of beans, carrots, onion, peppers, and tomato sauce. Some versions include cabbage or butternut squash, but all are characterized by a signature spicy seasoning made with crushed chiles and fragrant spices.
Born in South African townships, chakalaka is a spiced-up version of English baked beans. This dish shows the strong influences from the Zulu, Dutch, English and Indian peoples that combine in this regional cuisine. Born in South African townships, chakalaka is a spiced-up version of English baked beans.
Chakalaka – a refreshing spicy tomato bean relish that will provoke your taste bud. Simple yet pleasing in every way, this South African –born spicy vegetable side can be as spicy or as mild as you like it.
Serve as a cold starter or salad with warm crusty bread. Serve hot as an accompaniment to your favourite meal of meat, fish or chichen or simply heat and serve as delicious side dish to samp, pap or wors. Whichever way you try it, All Gold Mild & Spicy Chakalaka is sure to add flavour and spice to your favourite meal.
Chakalaka was probably first made by the migrant workers from Mozambique who came to work on the gold mines near Johannesburg. After a very hard day's work, these men wanted a meal that was quick and easy to make, that would fill them up. But they also wanted their food to be tasty to eat.
*Sheba is a chunky tomato and onion sauce, variations of which are usually served alongside pap.It also comes in a spicier form, known as chakalaka. Here are my recipes for both phutu pap and sheba.
The legend around chakalaka is that it has its origin in hard working gold miners around Johannesburg, cooking a meal with whatever vegetables they had available, to fuel a hard day's work. It was a simple affair of canned beans and tomatoes, along with a few fresh vegetables and additional spices.
Ingredients: Salt, Sugar, Onion, Ginger, Yeast Extract, Coriander, Thyme, Garlic, Chilli, Green Bell Peppers, Cinnamon, Bay Leaves. HEALTH RECIPE ALERT. Why not swap make it even easier and swap out the spices and use some of this ready made Jollof Seasoning mix in the NHS Approved recipe below!
Bobotie is a South African dish similar to meatloaf but so much better. Ground beef is seasoned with slightly sweet curry, topped with a milk and egg custard, and baked until golden brown. It's delicious!
Serve as a cold starter or salad with warm crusty bread. Serve hot as an accompaniment to your favourite meal of meat, fish or chichen or simply heat and serve as delicious side dish to samp, pap or wors. Whichever way you try it, All Gold Mild & Spicy Chakalaka is sure to add flavour and spice to your favourite meal.
Pap, /ˈpʌp/, also known as mieliepap (Afrikaans for maize porridge) in South Africa, is a traditional porridge/polenta and a staple food of the African peoples of Southern Africa (the Afrikaans word pap is taken from Dutch and means merely "porridge") made from maize-meal (coarsely ground maize).
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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