Winter Entertaining in South Africa

South Africa's winter can be chilly, so a menu that balances warmth and comfort with local flavours would be ideal for entertaining. Here’s a suggestion for a fabulous winter menu that reflects South African cuisine, followed by a kid-friendly mini menu:

Set the scene for your winter entertaining celebration with a beautifully decorated dinner table, and cosy areas where guests can chat and relax before and after dinner. Use soft styling and scented candles to create the desired ambiance for the ultimate winter dining experience.

Menu for Winter Entertaining in South Africa

Starter:

Butternut Soup with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

A creamy and comforting soup with local butternut squash, flavoured with aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Main Course:

Bobotie

A traditional South African dish with spiced minced meat (often beef or lamb) baked with an egg-based topping. It's rich, savoury, and satisfying.

Yellow Rice

Fragrant rice cooked with turmeric and raisins, a perfect accompaniment to balance the flavours of Bobotie.

Side Dish:

Salad

A green salad will not over power the flavours of the Bobotie dish.

Chakalaka

A spicy vegetable relish made with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and often beans. It adds a vibrant kick to the meal.

Dessert:

Malva Pudding

A decadent, spongy pudding of Cape Dutch origin, typically served warm with a cream, ice-cream or custard. It's a beloved dessert in South Africa, perfect for warming up in winter.

Drinks:

Rooibos Iced Tea

A caffeine-free herbal tea native to South Africa, known for its soothing and aromatic qualities. It can be served plain or with a splash of fruit and honey.

Ginger Cocktail

A Ginger infused cocktail would pair beautifully on a winters evening

Red Wine

A warm and full-bodied wine from any of the hundreds of vineyards will make a welcome accompaniment for this meal.

Mini Menu for Kids

Starters:

Fruit Skewers

Colourful skewers with chunks of fresh seasonal fruits like strawberries, pineapple, and grapes.

Main Course:

Mini Beef or Chicken Burgers

Served with soft buns and a selection of toppings like cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Kids can assemble their own burgers.

Sides:

Sweet Potato Fries

Healthier than regular fries and loved by kids, they can be oven-baked until crispy.

Dessert:

Chocolate Brownies

Rich and indulgent, with a gooey centre. You can add nuts, chopped cherries or serve them plain, depending on the kids' preferences.

Drinks:

Fruit Juice

A selection of natural fruit juices or fruit-infused water.

Dinner party games are a great way to break up the courses, get the blood flowing. Charades are extremely easy to set up and execute and can be fun for both kids and adults.

Once you have set the scene and selected the perfect background music for your dinner party.  These menus should cater to both adult guests and kids, ensuring everyone enjoys delicious flavours and a winter dinner celebration to remember. You will have perfected winter entertaining in South Africa.