Abongwe Mseleku shares festive braai recipe for families

As the festive season approaches, many families and friends gather for braais, and reality television personality Abongwe Mseleku is sharing her ultimate summer braai recipe. The 21-year-old filmmaker and content creator, known for her appearances on Uthando neS’thembu and Izingane zeS’thembu, is carving out her own identity beyond her famous family name through food and filmmaking. Mseleku's recipe celebrates the joy of bringing loved ones together around the fire.

Growing up in a large family, Mseleku cherished traditions of shared meals and lively braais. She says, "Braais have played such an important role in my childhood, and nothing says summertime more than it." For Mseleku, food has always been a connection to home, and her love for cooking developed after she moved to Johannesburg for university in 2023. What began as a necessity soon blossomed into a creative passion, inspiring her to share her culinary adventures on social media.

Mseleku's Perfect Weekend braai recipe includes braaied meat with warm rolls, charred corn, fresh salsa, and bean salad. The ingredients include 1kg beef short ribs, 1kg lamb shoulder chops, 1kg boerewors, 1kg chicken wings, and various spices and seasonings. To prepare the braai, Mseleku advises rinsing the ingredients, spicing the meat, and setting it aside to rest. She also prepares the sides, including sweetcorn cobs, which are boiled and then brushed with a butter mixture.

To make the salsa, Mseleku dices tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and chillies, and mixes them together with salt, fresh parsley, and lemon juice. For the bean salad, she combines Koo baked beans, diced bell peppers, cucumber, and Aromat. Once the charcoal is light grey ash colour, Mseleku places the red meat on the braai grill and cooks for 8-15 minutes until cooked on both sides.

Mseleku's recipe also includes chef's notes, advising to light the fire early, about 45 to 60 minutes before, to burn down into glowing coals covered in a layer of grey ash. This ensures a perfect braai experience. The recipe is perfect for feeding and entertaining large crowds, making it ideal for the festive season.

As an AFDA graduate and budding filmmaker, Mseleku is taking her creativity beyond the kitchen, developing television projects that blend her passion for food and storytelling. She is also growing her production businesses, showcasing her talents in both the culinary and film industries.

Mseleku's love for food and braais is evident in her recipe, which she hopes will bring people together and create lasting memories. With her Perfect Weekend braai recipe, families and friends can enjoy a delicious and flavorful meal while making the most of the festive season.

Key points

• Abongwe Mseleku shares a simple and flavorful braai recipe for the festive season.
• The recipe includes braaied meat with warm rolls, charred corn, fresh salsa, and bean salad.
• Mseleku's recipe is perfect for feeding and entertaining large crowds.