Jozi Street Skottel

Background & History

The Jozi Street Skottel is a vibrant dish that embodies the spirit of Johannesburg, affectionately known as Jozi. This dish is deeply rooted in South African street food culture, inspired by the diverse culinary influences that converge in this bustling city. The Skottel is a versatile cooking apparatus popularized in South Africa for its ability to be used in outdoor settings, making it ideal for street food vendors and home cooks alike. The term "Skottel" originates from the Afrikaans word for "dish," and over time, it has become synonymous with communal outdoor cooking experiences, usually involving a flat, hot surface for grilling various ingredients.

Ingredients

• Chicken Breast - 500g, diced
• Boerewors - 400g
• Onion - 1 large, sliced
• Red Bell Pepper - 1, sliced
• Green Bell Pepper - 1, sliced
• Button Mushrooms - 200g, sliced
• Baby Potatoes - 300g, boiled and halved
• Olive Oil - 3 tablespoons
• Salt - to taste
• Black Pepper - to taste
• Peri-Peri Sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Fresh Parsley - for garnish
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced

Preparation

1. Preparing the Ingredients

Start by preparing all your ingredients. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook through evenly on the Skottel. Next, slice the onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper into thin strips. Clean the button mushrooms with a damp cloth and slice them. Boil the baby potatoes until tender, then halve them. These preparations not only enhance flavor and texture but also speed up the cooking process.

2. Marinating the Chicken

In a bowl, combine the chicken breast pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, black pepper, and Peri-Peri sauce. Marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Cooking Process

The beauty of the Jozi Street Skottel is in its communal cooking nature. Set up your Skottel braai outdoors to enjoy the open-air cooking experience. If you are using a pan indoors, ensure it is a large flat-bottom pan to replicate the Skottel experience.

1. Cooking the Boerewors

Heat the Skottel or pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and wait until it's hot. Add the boerewors links to the Skottel. Grill them, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and cooked through.

2. Cooking the Chicken

Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the Skottel. Place the marinated chicken breast pieces onto the hot Skottel, spreading them out to ensure even cooking. Stir-fry until golden brown and cooked through, which should take about 5-7 minutes.

3. Adding Vegetables

Push the cooked chicken to one side of the Skottel or remove it temporarily. Add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry until the vegetables begin to soften, approximately 4 minutes. Add the button mushrooms and stir-fry for an additional 3 minutes.

4. Final Touches

Add the halved baby potatoes to the Skottel and gently stir them into the vegetable mixture. Add the minced garlic to enhance the aroma, cooking for another minute. Return the chicken to the Skottel and mix everything together. Adjust seasoning with more salt and black pepper if necessary.

5. Grilling Everything Together

Allow all the ingredients to grill together for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld beautifully. You may use a cooking timer to keep track of the time.

How to Enjoy

Once the Jozi Street Skottel is ready, remove it from the heat and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. This dish is perfect for sharing, gathering friends and family around. Pair it with your favorite South African sides like pap (a traditional porridge), or enjoy it in a wrap. The combination of chicken, boerewors, and vegetables offers a balance of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors that reflect the heart and soul of Johannesburg street food.