Screen Feasts: Food for a ruck

23 September 2015 - 02:26 By Rea Khoabane

What's the best meal to make for the South Africa versus Samoa game this weekend? What's the best meal to make for the South Africa vs Samoa game this weekend?Kamini Pather: Definitely finger food. I would make hot wings or riblets with a sweet-fiery basting. Not that any rugby fan ever needs a reason for more beer, but a hot snack can be viewed as a good enough reason.Justin Bonello: Something ancient that was used in South Africa and Samoa - a pit oven. You can use it to cook chickens, whole sheep, whole lambs and the like. It's fitting - I've got a feeling there's going to be something primal about the game.What would you pair it with?Kamini: Beer. Maybe a locally produced lager or India pale ale. And for the non-beer drinkers, a sweeter white wine - maybe a wooded chenin blanc or a riesling.Justin: I'd pair a pig in the pit oven with umqombothi , traditional Xhosa beer - I think the Samoan equivalent is Vailima, a German-type lager. Beer is a very important part of rugby.What's the most overrated rugby meal and what would you replace it with?Kamini: I can't think of a specific dish but I would say anything that needs cutlery. Cooking for the rugby should be effortless. Anything that can be put into the oven or left to its own devices so that you can be free during the day is the answer.Justin: Those terrible hot dogs and boerewors rolls you get in stadiums with fake mustard and mayo, cheap and nasty sausages, and stale rolls spread with margarine instead of butter. But a really good boerie roll is a great rugby-side meal.What food would you console yourself with if South Africa lost?Kamini: A toasted cheese sandwich on brown bread with aged cheddar, rings of onion, tomato and green chilli. Or a BLT - crispy streaky bacon, white bread (we're in mourning, no?), gem lettuce and fresh tomato.Justin: You mean like I had to do this past weekend? I made myself a potjie and cried into it - I'm calling it lamb-neck potjie with gnocchi and tears. The salt from my tears flavoured the meal and cheered me up.Taste of Joburg takes place at the weekend and Justin Bonello and Seline and Leandri van der Wat will be there to show how to create the ultimate burgers. Ultimate Burger Classes will take place at the show from September 24 to 27 at Montecasino...

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