As we got out of the car the aroma of fresh bread and baked goods would assault the senses i remember it like it was yesterday. Jul 15, 2014 this koeksister or some would refer to them as the cape malay koesister minus the k. The history of cape malay cuisine in south africa begins with the involuntary migration of africans, asians and indonesians around the world, and with it their diverse origins and culinary techniques. They are very easy and you will find all the boerewors and south african recipes in there. Easy to make cape malay koeksisters a traditional treat in southafrica koeksisters from sa volunteer abroad with via volunteers in south africa and taste new foods a spicy, deep fried syrup drenched delicacy, rolled in coconut. When it comes to the beloved koeksister, every connoisseur will know that there are two kinds. There will be no place like south africa no matter what. The bokaap kombuis is a simple restaurant located in the cape town suburb of bokaap.
Koesisters are pillowy spicy doughnuts from the cape malay community whereas koeksisters are plaited vanilla flavored doughnuts drowned in cold sugar syrup that are a speciality of white south africans of dutch colonial descent. Koesisters are a cape malay delicacy, oval dough balls with a doughnutlike texture, flavoured with spices and naartjie peel and much darker in. Koeksisters traditional south african recipe 196 flavors. The first group, were imporisioned by the dutch east india company who founded what is today called cape town. The humble koeksister finally got its day in the sun, with sunday september 1 marking the first and hopefully annual world koeksister day.
Cape malay is a cuisine unique to south africa that features fragrant flavours brought over by the slaves of malaysia and indonesia. The colour of cape malay culture au south african tourism. The name is derived from the cape of good hope and the malay people originally from malay archipelago, mostly from the dutch east indies colony presentday indonesia, a dutch colony for several centuries, and dutch malacca, which the dutch held from 1641 to 1824. The colour of cape malay culture za south african tourism. Cape malay koesister recipes are leavened with yeast and sometimes baking powder, whereas only baking powder is used in koeksister recipes. Cape malay cookbook highlights traditional recipes. The name cape malay refers to followers of the islamic faith and encompasses a rich culture of eastern juxtaposed by western heritage. This recipe is in the cape malay cookbook by fadela williams and slightly adapted, if you in south africa her books can be found in any local book shop. Cape malay koeksister recipe by admin zaid posted on 21 jan 2017. With the koeksister so deeply entrenched in south africas culture and rich history, it is a wonder it has taken this long to give it its own special day.
All media and content are the property of salwaa smith and cape malay cooking delights pty ltd. Apr 25, 2012 cape malay koesisters are totally different to the plaited koeksisters you may know. Once the syrup starts to boil, add the lemon juice and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Slave history scholar mogamat kamedien meanwhile writes in smiths book that the author is. These muchloved south african doughnuts have occupied an honorary place at many a teatime table, and youd be hardpressed to find a dessert more distinct to the nations western cape. Nov 06, 2016 the cape malay illustrated cookbook is a compilation of recipes for authentic malay food. I refrained from using coconut when i had the opportunity.
Apr 26, 2017 cape malay is a south african ethnic group descendant of slaves, mainly from indonesia but also from india, and malaysia. Cape malay potato koesister recipe spiced doughnuts. Today, cape malay cuisine remains an important part of. And fried foods are mine especially when they are a sweet treat. Derived from the dutch word for cookiekoekje, a good koeksister is crunchy and sticky on the outside.
Cape malay koesisters are different from the similarsounding afrikaner version, koeksister, which is a crisp and syrupy twisted or plaited. Many people believe that the afrikaner koeksister got its recipe from a cape malay relative, brought to the cape by malaysian slaves. The cape malay version is more like a doughnut, spiced with ginger, naartjie peel, cinnamon and. But there are actually two different types of koeksister. They overcame oppression and marginalisation by successive governments yet retain their customs and culture. A koeksister, koeksuster or koesister is a south african pastry based on donut dough, braided and generously coated with syrup. These muchloved south african traditional sticky spicy treats are so yummy. Oct 02, 20 the term cape malay in cape malay cooking safari references the people and their flavorful, spicefocused cuisine, while the word safari is symbolic of the cultural journey of the traveler through food. The cape malay community is rich in culture and religious traditions that have played a major role in shaping the history and diversity of cape town. Smith writes in her book that cape malay cooking is characterised by the liberal intermingling of spices and the influence of indian, indonesian, malaysian, dutch and french cuisines. Place the water, sugar and cream of tartar in a saucepan and bring to the boil. The cape malay people arrived in the cape from indonesia in the mid to late 1600s. The cape malay version is more like a doughnut, spiced with ginger, naartjie peel, cinnamon and aniseed, cooked in syrup and sprinkled with coconut. Cover the bowl of dough with a damp tea towel and leave to double in size.
As a child growing up in southern africa a weekly treat was a koeksister. Check out this list of our favourite cape malay curry recipes. This rich history, combined with their difficulty, make them something. In his book a history of south africa leonard thompson writes that although. Jul 30, 2019 cape malay is a cuisine unique to south africa that features fragrant flavours brought over by the slaves of malaysia and indonesia. One of these recipes from anna trapidos book hunger for freedom. The history of cape malay cuisine in south africa begins with the. More than 100 recipes for delectable dishes found on the by cass abrahams and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Jun, 2015 this facebook page currently has close on 100,000 subscribers, many of whom encouraged smith to publish a book of recipes. Unique to the western cape of south africa, cape malay cuisine is renowned for its fruity, mild and fullbodied flavors. I truly believe the history of our people is told through the tastes. Keywords koeksister, koesister, sweetmeats, culinary symbols, cape of good. These are called koeksisters but are not to be confused with the traditional south african plaited koeksister. The cape malay koesister is flavoured cinnamon, cardamom, mixed spice and aniseed.
Dec 18, 2010 we always bought these traditional cape malay koeksisters or doughnuts on fridays after school in grassy park. Nadia slamag was inspired to follow her passion for cooking when she had a brain tumour removed two years ago. South african koeksisters in the book, dolphin song by lauren st. Use our cape malay recipes to create a taste explosion for your taste buds. Jam and coconut tarts have a direct link to south african history as it is recorded that it was the favorite tea time treat of general. Cape malay cookbook highlights traditional recipes yazkam. Every koesistermaker has their own combination of spices so no two peoples koesisters are alike. Its been familyrun since inception, and they serve up a wide range of traditional cape malay cuisine. Malay women would make these on fridays to have with tea after the men return from friday mosque at 1 pm. Oct 20, 2016 this recipe is in the cape malay cookbook by fadela williams and slightly adapted, if you in south africa her books can be found in any local book shop. Most of the malay people about 166 000 live in the bokaap at the foot of signal hill in cape town. Oct, 2014 but there are actually two different types of koeksister.
Its taken me a while to perfect it but its so comforting. In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients except the coconut, then add the lukewarm water and mix until you have a soft and sticky dough. As much as the cape malay identity is a definition of an ethnic group, it can be considered as the product of a set of histories and communities. Rub some oil over your hands and knead the sticky dough for about 10 minutes. The term cape malay in cape malay cooking safari references the people and their flavorful, spicefocused cuisine, while the word safari is symbolic of the cultural journey of the traveler through food. Tasty recipes sapeople offers delicious south african recipes, by awesome cape town chef fazila ollalogday. Traditional koeksisters a traditional south african sticky donut treat thats deliciously sweet, sticky, crunchy and drenched in syrup, laced with cinnamon, lemon and ginger. Cape malay curries specifically are more aromatic than heavily spicy but are full of incredible flavour that we just love.
Cape town is a melting pot of culture, and one of the most important groups to shape the citys history is commonly referred to as the cape malay. We always bought these traditional cape malay koeksisters or doughnuts on fridays after school in grassy park. Doc fragments of culture in sweetmeat exploring the origins of. Bake in a preheated oven at 180c for about 25 minutes or until the rolls are brown and the camembert has fully melted. Mar 29, 2012 bokaap is a suburb in cape town where you will find a traditional cape malay curry. It should not be confused with the similar sounding cape malay koesister, which is a fried ball of dough thats rolled in desiccated coconut. A koeksister is plaited, deepfried and immediately dipped into a cold sugar syrup, resulting in a crispy exterior.
Cape towns cape malay people were the first to bring islam to south africa, which is still a strong element of the bokaap. Even the melk tert which is the best light and airy. Kaapse maleiers are an ethnic group or community in south africa. Cape malay koeksisters sticky, syrupy sweet treat not to be missed. Included in this are their popular koesisters, which come in the form of a platter.
Using a pastry brush, brush the melted butter over the rolls. Heres the ultimate koeksister recipe, from the official masterchef south africa cookbook. Many people believe that the afrikaner koeksister got its recipe from a cape malay. Sa celebrates its first world koeksister day how south africa. Cape malay koeksisters recipe by the kitchen girl posted on 21 jan 2017. Its a contentious namepeople both inside and outside the community have objected to the terms inaccuracy, and to the fact that it really originated as a term used to racially classify.
For starters, theyre spelled and pronounced differently, dropping the k. Whoever created the koeksister and solidified its heritage in south africa deserves a pat on the back, and regardless of who owns the creation, it is easily south africas favourite cheat snack. A koesister or koesister is a traditional cape malay pastry often described as a spicy dumpling. The cape malay people include descendants of slaves from the 17th century dutch colonies and outposts in south east asia. Experienced chef faldela williams shares her intimate knowledge of the malay tradition with simple, easytofollow recipes for a multitude of wellknown malay dishes such as denningvleis, koesisters, rotis, sosaties, bobotie, curry, smoorsnoek, atjars, blatjangs and sambals. Welcome to our home where we focus on halaal and cape malay recipes, handy tips and guides for cultural, food and travel experiences around the world. One of the passions of legendary cook, food consultant and caterer cass abrahams is the history of the cape malay community. Traditional malay koeksisters sapeople tasty recipes. The cape malay illustrated cookbook is a compilation of recipes for authentic malay food.
Koeksisters are so rich that even the most ardent koeksister fanciers. The cape malay people originate from the earliest dutch slaves. It is the less traditional twisted or braided koeksisters more of a cake doughnut with a spicy cinnamon sugar or if you prefer coated them in coconut flakes. Ingredients 500 gram lamb, diced 2 onions, finely chopped 2 large or 3 medium potatoes, cubed 4 fresh tomatoes, finely chopped or 1 continue reading cape malay lamb curry. It should not be confused with the similar sounding cape malay koesister. South african koeksisters recipe recipes south africa. Bokaap the history and a traditional cape malay curry. Jun 03, 2010 like many south africans, people described in some situations as cape malay are often the descendants of people from many continents and religions. Absolutely perfect for snack or tea time and even breakfast. This recipe was one that my grandmother used to make when i was a little girl. Oct 15, 2014 cape malay cooking with fatima sydow yesterday at 10. Nadia slamag was inspired to follow her passion for cooking when. Sep 03, 2019 afrikaans and cape malay cultures have both claimed to have been the inventors of the pastry, with slightly different versions. Cape malay koesisters are totally different to the plaited koeksisters you may know.
The exploration of the african continent in the fifteenth century and the colonization of south east asia in the sixteenth century by european powers led to the enslavement of millions of. Here at tantalise my taste buds we believe that the best way to learn about a people and a culture is through their food and food customs. Like many south africans, people described in some situations as cape malay are often the descendants of people from many continents and religions. The cape malay illustrated cookbook is a collection of authentic malay recipes. Sa celebrates its first world koeksister day how south. A breyani family recipe, plus a quick version cape towns. If you are new here, you may want to learn a little more about how this site works. For the sauce 1 onion, chopped roughly 1 large potatoes, cubed 2 carrots, chopped in chunks 1 courgette, chopped in chunks approximately 15 green beans. These are called koeksisters, but are not to be confused with the traditional. January, 2019 salaam and greetings to all my friends and followers. A breyani family recipe plus a quick version a traditional recipe reworked through generations. Cape malay is a south african ethnic group descendant of slaves, mainly from indonesia but also from india, and malaysia.
This special fusion of cooking traditions from malaysian, indonesian and east african slaves was brought to cape town by dutch settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Faldela williams shares her intimate knowledge of the malay cooking tradition with simple, easytofollow recipes for many wellknown dishes, such as denningvleis, koesisters, sosaties, bobotie, smoorsnoek and many more. The cape malay community is rich in culture and religious traditions that. Koeksister a south african delicacy journal african travel. Where to get traditional cape malay koeksisters in joburg. These are called koeksisters, but are not to be confused with the traditional south african, dutch style plaited koeksister. The word koeksister comes from the dutch word koek, which means cake but also from the belgian word couque which defines several kinds of cookies and viennoiseries. The afrikaner version the one everyone knows and loves and the cape malay version. Spicy version of doughnuts, this recipe makes 30 koesisters. An afrikaner is a white south african of dutch, french, german or scandinavian origin.