FOOD NEWS
Chakalaka Is The Unexpected Ingredient For A Spiced Up Grilled Cheese
BY JULIA HOLLAND
Chakalaka is a South African baked bean and vegetable relish with garlic, ginger, onions, and robust spices. Its sweet, spicy, tangy flavors would be perfect on a grilled cheese.
A fusion of native and colonial influences, chakalaka also contains cabbage, carrots, and zucchini with garlic, ginger, coriander, curry powder, cumin, and Thai chilies.
Cheese would be the ultimate creamy, salty, and savory pairing, while toasted bread will soak up the chakalaka's flavorful juices and supply a crunchy finish.
To craft your sandwich, take inspiration from South African cheese and tomato toasties called braaibroodjie which consist of chakalaka, cheddar, onions, and tomatoes.
For a different flavor, swap out cheddar for jack, pimento, gruyere, mozzarella, or brie, or try adding vinegar, sugar, tomato paste, or spicy peppers to the recipe.