Times are tough and due to the economic crunch that the
country is currently experiencing, we are all urged to not only fasten but also
tighten our belts. There’s the looming retrenchments, fuel increase, VAT
increase, recession, increased population, and what have you that contends with
our sanity daily - but when it comes to the ever increasing food prices,
there’s an appealing glimmer of hope – russians.
Due to their increased demand over the past couple of
months, making them the most affordable meat for the lower LSM market and
families living below the bread line, they have become SA’s number one go to
sishebo. These sausages are helping ordinary South Africans and presenting them
with an affordable, yet delicious, alternative to feed decent meals to their
families and ultimately curb poverty. And are rapidly selling out everywhere in
the country’s rural, urban and peri-urban areas. It is reported that the
russian sausage sales have been toppling those of poultry – though it had
become an essential staple over the years, chicken has now become somewhat of a
luxury item only cooked on Sundays and on special occasions. Unofficial
research also reveals that another deterring factor to buying chicken is that
it “shrinks” because of the brine injected in the portions (most consumers are
still not reading the labels on what they buy) – but with russians, they just
know that they get their money’s worth and that is all that matters. A plus to
this sishebo is that it now also comes in a range of flavours such as smoked,
chakalaka and chilli.
Most retailers continue to record leading sales of these
sausages followed by chicken and fish in their meat section. They state that red
meat has evidently become an absolute luxury good due to its cost vs. its quantity
ratio. “A R100 worth of russians (±20 in an unbranded and store packaged pack)
makes for a perfect and weeklong pap companion for a family of 4-6. Now, try
getting any other type of meat that can go the same distance for the same
amount…” says a single parent and grandmother we met up with at the
local mall. Also reflecting on the total russian sausage sales is a portion
attributed to the kota business. This industry opened up in the late 90s and
has been booming since then. To this date, it still provides a filling, quick
and easy yet affordable meal solution for those on the go.
Why not cook some meals with the russian sausages for your
family and friends this festive season and see if you’ll watch them lick their
fingers and rave about it? Here are four simple, affordable and easy to prepare
russian recipes – we’ll let you take the credit for them (it’ll be our secret):
1.
Russian
sishebo
SERVES 4+
Ingredients:
2 x large tomatoes peeled and grated
1 x onion diced
250ml water
1 beef stock cube
2-3 whole russians sliced or diced
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons of cooking oil
Powder soup or starch for thickening
Method:
Heat the cooking oil in a pan, add onions and fry them until
golden. Throw in the Russians and toss for 2-3 minutes followed by the peeled
and grated tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Mix water with the powder
soup and pour in the pan, continue to stir until perfectly mixed. Throw in the
stock cube and sprinkle the salt (if needed) then leave it to cook for 7-10
minutes.
Tip: This can be served with pap, bread, rice or mashed
potatoes.
Eat your leftover sishebo with instant noodles or mix it
with rice to make a risotto.
2.
Pan
fried russians and potatoes
SERVES 4+
Ingredients:
3 large potatoes
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
2-3 whole russians sliced or diced
1 medium onion diced
1 red pepper diced
1 green pepper diced
2 cloves garlic minced
Salt and pepper
Cajun seasoning
Method:
Peel and boil potatoes in a large pot of water for 15
minutes. Run them under cold water and then dice them. In a large pan over
medium heat, add cooking oil and potatoes and cook until lightly browned (± 15
minutes). Add russians, onion, red and green peppers. Cook until the sausages
are browned and the vegetables are tender. Add garlic and cook for additional
90 seconds. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.
Tip: This can be enjoyed on its own as a side or with rice.
3.
Russian
and cabbage stir-fry
SERVES 4+
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cooking oil
2-3 whole russians sliced or diced
1 large onion cut in half and sliced
1 red pepper cut in half and sliced
1 small green cabbage cut in thin shreds
2 cloves minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Add cooking oil in a pan and heat on high until just
smoking. Add russians and cook until lightly browned. Add onion and red pepper.
Cook for 3-4 minutes stirring a couple of times. Add cabbage and cook for
additional 3-4 minutes stirring several times. Add garlic and cook for an
additional minute. Adjust heat if needed and add salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: This can be enjoyed on its own as a side or with rice.
4.
Homemade
kota
SERVES 4
Ingredients:
1 loaf of bread (whole not sliced)
2 whole russians each cut in half
4 potatoes
Tomato sauce
Chilli/Peri peri sauce or chakalaka
Vinegar
Salt and pepper
4 slices of cheese
4 slices of polony
2 cups of cooking oil
Method:
Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Peel and cut the potatoes
into thick sticks or wedges. Add the potatoes and fry them until tender or
golden brown, remove and set aside on a paper towel then sprinkle with vinegar,
salt and pepper. Use the same oil to deep fry the russians and remove them when
they start browning. Cut the bread into four equal quarters. Remove the
soft/inner part of the bread. Layer it with all the ingredients and use the sauces
as condiments.
Tip: more ingredients can be added or substituted i.e.
tomato, lettuce, bacon etc.
Issued by Ngobeni Communications CC
071 722 8685
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