With the Easter Holiday just around the corner, many South Africans will be missioning off on road trips near and far. No matter how long the journey, padkos is always essential. So, here are a few alternative padkos treat ideas to tuck into!
South Africa (17 March 2024) — Travels over the school holidays and Easter weekend bring the promise of adventure and exploration. The open road, the company, and, of course, padkos are all reasons that make the journey just as exciting as the destination.
As many an avid snacker knows, padkos is an essential element in any adventure that can make (or break!) a road trip. So, here are five alternative padkos treats to add to those biltong and coffee in a flask favourites, as recommended by the hospitality industry’s Wayne Blake:
1. Durban-Style Popcorn
Spicy pineapple – tangy fresh pineapple chunks doused in curry powder – is most definitely one of Durban’s most unique snacks, usually sold by street vendors along the beachfront. Make your own using a unique blend of spices and prepare a pre-mix of chilli powder, sugar, salt and a dash of vinegar and generously coat freshly popped popcorn. Make enough – it won’t last long!
2. Scotch Eggs South African Style
Portable and tasty as a cold snack, scotch eggs are filling and comfort food at its best (great for longer trips). Essentially, they are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat, coated in bread crumbs and deep-fried for a delicious snack on the go. For a South African twist, substitute the pork mince for boerewors by simply removing the wors meat from the casting. Prepare a dipping sauce with mayonnaise and a dash of hot sauce or sweet chilli sauce, and you’re ready to rumble!
3. Roasted Butternut Toasted Pumpkin Seed & Danish Feta Salad
This scrumptious salad is a perfect roadside snack when you need to stretch your legs. Packed with roasted butternut, toasted pumpkin seeds, and Danish feta, it’s a flavourful treat that keeps you satisfied (and healthy) on the go. Add couscous, quinoa, chickpeas or bulgar wheat for additional sustenance. Pack it in glass mason jars and enjoy a fresh taste wherever your journey leads.
4. Falafels
Made from wholesome chickpeas, falafels are a road trip snack perfect for the vegetarians in the car. Their crispy exterior and flavoursome interior offer a satisfying crunch and bold taste. Whether eaten on their own or in a pita with chilli and coriander, humus or tzatziki, falafels are not to be left behind.
5. Chocolate Brownies
Trade chocolate bunnies for chocolate brownies as a heavenly mid-journey pick-me-up or a post-adventure reward. Wayne shares his fool-proof recipe which you can make a day ahead of your trip:
Chocolate Brownies Recipe
READY IN: 25mins
YIELDS: 1 batch
INGREDIENTS
- 3⁄4 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 cup cocoa
- 1⁄2 cup butter, softened – do not melt completely – best to leave outside the firdge s day before, in a cool dry spot.
- 2 eggs, whole
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1⁄2 cup nuts chopped of your choice or use toasted mixed nuts
- 200g chopped baking chocolate
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 185 degrees.
- Grease a square 8cm x 8cm pan.
- Sift flour with sugar, salt, and cocoa into a mixing bowl, and set aside.
- Add butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- Use spoon and beat 100 strokes per minute for 3 minutes by hand or 2 minutes on medium speed, with mixer with a paddle attachment.
- Stir in nuts & chopped chocolate until evenly mixed through.
- Pour into pan and spread out evenly.
- Bake 20 to 22 minutes.
- Cool and then cut, into your desired shapes and sizes, pack into your road trip lunch box and enjoy on the road!
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