Home talk:
For Mogau Seshoene, a.k.a. The Lazy Makoti, Christmas means oxtail stew. It is non-negotiable. What’s more, her own recipe (shared here) has been credited with marriage proposals. It’s that good
Mogau Seshoene’s lobola oxtail
WHEN WE WERE
LITTLE,
we would wake up as the sun rose on Christmas morning, because our parents told us that the sun dances on Christmas Day. We woke up every year to catch it – we were fooled every time, I never caught it dancing!
We went to church in the morning, and after church the cooking would start. When my grandmother was alive, my aunts, uncles and entire extended family would go to her house. She’s not with us anymore, so we alternate hosting.
Growing up, there would be up to
50 of us, all celebrating together. I come from a Pedi background and, for us, the direct translation for my mother’s older sister is not aunt, but “older mother” – Mmamogolo. Her younger sister is my “younger mother” – Mmane. It’s the same on my father’s side, with his brothers – my “older father” Rramogol and “younger father”, Rrangwane. I regard their children as my siblings. So it’s a big family. When we were young, my granddad used to have a piggery, so we always slaughtered a whole pig. There were that many of us!
Everyone brings a recipe they learnt from their stokvel group. And we fight about the menu. “I have to make this, you guys must taste it!” The cooking is part of the festivities. Everyone is in and out of the kitchen all day.
This year my mom, Mamose, and dad, Maile, will be hosting our Christmas meal so my mom can show off her new kitchen. I love dombolo so we always have that. And we’ll have ting – a kind of sour, fermented pap made with sorghum.
For pudding, I love malva pudding, and trifle and my mom bakes cookies for everyone to take home after the meal.
But the star of the show is always oxtail stew. Here’s how I’ll be making it this year. thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes, then return the oxtail to the pan. 3 Add the sugar, wine and beef stock and simmer for 3–4 hours, or until the oxtail is cooked and tender. Check every 30 minutes to ensure the stew does not dry out. Add more stock or water if necessary. Serve with rice or mash. DAIRY-FREE
WINE: Woolworths Saronsberg
Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre 2018
Everyone brings a recipe they learnt from their stokvel group.
And we fight about the menu”