Sosaties (Cape Malay Apricot Curry Lamb Skewers)
In short: Lamb cubes marinated overnight in a sweet and sour apricot curry sauce, skewered with onion and dried apricot, then grilled over medium-high heat. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 12 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Sosaties are South Africa's most famous skewers, a Cape Malay classic of lamb marinated in a sweet and sour curry sauce with apricots and onions. Cooking the marinade first mellows the spices, and an overnight soak makes the meat tender and fragrant. The skewers are grilled over coals at a braai and served with yellow rice and sambals. The apricot sweetness against curry spice is the signature of Cape cooking.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan and cook the chopped onions for 6 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic, curry powder and turmeric and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the jam, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, bay leaves, salt, pepper and water. Simmer for 10 minutes, until slightly thickened, then cool completely.
- Toss the lamb cubes in the cooled marinade, cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before use.
- Lift the lamb out of the marinade, keeping the marinade, and remove the bay leaves. Thread the lamb onto skewers, alternating with half an apricot and an onion wedge.
- Heat a grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Grill the skewers for 10 to 14 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until browned and the lamb reaches at least 63°C (145°F).
- Brush with the reserved marinade during the first 8 minutes only. Rest the skewers for 5 minutes before serving.
- Boil any leftover marinade for 3 minutes and serve it as a sauce, or discard it. Serve with yellow rice and chutney.
Tips
- Marinating for the full 24 hours gives the deepest flavor, but do not go much beyond that, as the vinegar can make the meat soft.
- Chicken thighs or pork shoulder work with the same marinade. Cook chicken to 74°C (165°F) and pork to at least 63°C (145°F).
Questions and answers
What is the difference between sosaties and kebabs?
Sosaties use a sweet and sour curry marinade with apricot jam and vinegar, in the Cape Malay style. Many kebabs use yogurt, lemon and fresh herbs instead.
Can I cook sosaties in the oven?
Yes. Broil them on a rack about 10 cm (4 inches) from the heat for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, or bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15 to 18 minutes.
What do you serve with sosaties?
Yellow rice with raisins, a tomato and onion sambal, a green salad and fruit chutney are the classic partners.
How long does it take to make Sosaties (Cape Malay Apricot Curry Lamb Skewers)?
About 1 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sosaties (Cape Malay Apricot Curry Lamb Skewers)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 31 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 31 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
