PLANNING FOR THOSE BIG HOLIDAY GATHERINGS

Nola_Potato Bake

The upcoming Summer holidays, for most people, includes an abundance of family gatherings, festive cheer, casual drop-ins and quite a bit of catering.

Nothing embodies the melting pot of cultures in South Africa quite like food. It’s how we welcome guests, show our love for our family and friends and generally how we socialise.

While it may feel daunting trying to plan and prepare a meal for a large family gathering, it really doesn’t have to be. Even though you know the older generation are assessing how you prepare the age-old family favourites and the younger generation just want to enjoy some good home cooking, preparing a  delicious feast doesn’t need to involve hours in the kitchen, missing out on all the fun.

NOLA Mayonnaise recently partnered with local foodie Sithembiso Ndashe (Ndash) – founder of Ndash Food Concepts – to  #CreateAStir by adding a new age modern twist to popular Mzansi recipes.

The creamy, balanced versatility of NOLA means it can be added to almost any dish without overpowering the existing ingredients – ideally complimenting Ndash’s creative cooking philosophy.

If you’re tired of sticking to the same old same old menu and don’t feel that confident to try out some of your own twists on your guests, then let Ndash and NOLA inspire you with some quick and easy Summer Holiday Food hacks.

When you need a quick snack platter – try out a selection of easy-to-prepare dips, which can be pared with fresh veggies, potato wedges or chicken dippers. For a delicious Cheesy Garlic Mayo dip blend, crumbled Blue cheesed with one cup NOLA Original Mayonnaise, a quarter cup each of plain yogurt and buttermilk, shaken well. Add one tablespoon of white wine vinegar, with one tablespoon each of minced garlic and dried parsley, a pinch of freshly ground black pepper and end off with a dash of chilli oil.

Nola_Fried Pap Balls

For a tasty twist on traditional pap – fried pap balls with a NOLA filling are a great addition to a meal or make a delicious snack, especially when you add a spicy dipping sauce. For the spicy sauce combine two tablespoons of Greek yoghurt, with one tablespoon each of NOLA Original Mayonnaise and chilli sauce and salt and pepper to taste.

When you’re catering for the extended family and need some new twists on family favourite dishes – have you tried a Creamy Chicken bake? It’s a tasty twist on a traditional chicken dish. Simply season chicken pieces, add chopped mushrooms and red pepper and cover with a sauce made up of chicken and brown onion soup, curry paste, chutney and NOLA mayonnaise, before baking in the oven.

Dress up your standard coleslaw salad with finely sliced red onion, NOLA Original mayonnaise, chutney, diced apple and, if you are feeling adventurous, a handful of raisins and / or almonds.

Need to whip up some sweet stuff? Guests coming around for tea and you don’t have any eggs or oil in the pantry. You can easily substitute with NOLA Mayonnaise. For a decadent chocolate cake treat you’ll need cake flour, cocoa powder, castor sugar, bicarbonate of soda, NOLA Original Mayonnaise, water, vanilla essence and for the topping cream and dark chocolate.

When it’s shisnyama time: try a twist on traditional chicken wings and marinade them in a spicy curried mayo marinade with NOLA Original Mayonnaise, Worcester sauce, olive oil, plain yoghurt, mild masala curry powder, Portuguese chicken spice, turmeric, crushed chilli, garlic and two teaspoons of honey… heaven.   Or whip up an easy steak marinade by combining one cup NOLA Original Mayonnaise, with two cloves of crushed garlic, two tablespoons of fresh thyme or rosemary and a quarter cup BBQ Spice.

Potato salad has a special place on any braai menu. Twist up your potato salad by including roasted potatoes cut into cubes or skin-on boiled baby potatoes halved. Layer on a platter with avocado, bacon bits, sliced green pepper, grated cheese and seasoned with chopped parsley or chives.

As versatile and tasty as Mayonnaise is, did you know it’s also rich in vitamin K, vitamin E, choline and minerals such as potassium, selenium and sodium. How will you #CreateAStir in the kitchen this summer?

For more information and tasty recipes visit NOLA or @NOLAMayonnaise on Facebook and Instagram.