My braaivleis brings all the boys to the yard!

Where there is smoke, there is fire and wherever there is fire, you can bet your bottom dollar there is a braai.

Cooking over an open flame is one of the oldest cooking techniques of our human existence and in our modern day, braai has become a tradition, a celebration, and the centerpiece of most social events and gatherings.

“Braai”, derived from the Dutch word “braden” meaning roast, refers to cooking a variety of food items over an open flame on a metal grill.

There are definitely some unspoken rules that come with hosting a proper braai, the most important being that there is only one “braaier” that controls the flames and the cooking. Those brave enough to instruct the braaier on how to do their job, may end up medium rare on the grill.

Another important rule is the braaier’s glass may never be empty!

“It’s a bad time to braai” are words that have never been spoken by anyone who has been to a get together. It has become a symbol of family, friends, good food, good drinks and smiles everywhere, while the crackling of the fire creates a beautiful ambience around you.

The sizzling sound of that marinated lamb chop as it kisses the red hot grill, the ­lingering smell of boerewors and homemade “­roosterbrood” or the infamous tomato, onion and cheese “braaibroodjies” will put a smile on anyone’s face.

There is no limit to what you can grill on the braai and that is the beauty of it – from grilling cheese and garlic stuffed mushrooms to steaming whole fish with peppers, onions and white wine. It all depends on your creativity.

The braai always adds the best part of any food that is placed on the grill, namely that special smokiness that can be described as the cherry on top in the cooking world.

“Near, far, wherever you are, I believe the braai does go on”. I am sure that Celine Dion would’ve rewritten her lyrics if she experienced a lekker local braai in her day, because there is nothing more enjoyable as braai nights with the closest friends and family.