The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Roosterkoek

JonJ's picture
JonJ

Roosterkoek

Roosterkoek (or roosterbrood) are a traditional bread or bread rolls cooked over the braai (BBQ). The name is Afrikaans for rooster ("grilled")  plus either koek ("cake") or brood ("bread"). They are usually eaten piping hot together with the meat.

Many of the recipes are fairly similar and usually include sugar and oil in the dough. Where I differ a little is I like to give mine a little bit of shaping and bake them as pull apart rolls. Also, I'm not a great fan of them if they're cooked directly over the coals, which is the traditional way.

My method is to mix all the ingredients except the oil, with a Danish dough whisk, usually I mix the yeast, water, and sugar together and then add the flour and sugar to that. Then olive oil is kneaded into the dough after about 20 minutes. About 40 minutes after the initial mix the dough is weighed and divided into 9 balls that are shaped into rolls and placed on the dutch oven lid. About 1h15m - 1h30m after the initial mix they have normally puffed up enough to be baked. I like to bake 20 minutes on the cast iron base in the Weber with coals to the side and parchment underneath. Might turn it every 5 minutes so that it bakes evenly.


The lovely thing about them is that not only are they enjoyable to eat, they're also super convenient. If you forget to buy rolls. Or have run out of potatoes, they'll still be there for you.

Comments

trailrunner's picture
trailrunner

Never heard of them. I would have to bake in the regular oven but I bet they still taste great. 

HeiHei29er's picture
HeiHei29er

Looks like a fun campfire bake!  I’m assuming the DO base is also on during the bake to get the tops to brown?  Do you have to put any coals on the top of the DO to heat evenly, or do you just use the DO lid and put the lid on the Weber to brown the tops?

JonJ's picture
JonJ

Only with the Dutch oven base and the Weber lid.

I do make them very differently, most people just make rectangular buns and cook them on the grid above hot coals.

Mine are more baked than grilled.

pmccool's picture
pmccool

but I’ve seen this in Lesotho.  And it is a delicious bread!

Paul

JonJ's picture
JonJ

Fascinating, you had so many interesting adventures when you lived in these parts and I enjoy discovering each of your write ups.

Waaft1939's picture
Waaft1939

 

but I’ve seen this in Lesotho geometry dash online.  And it is a delicious bread!

Paul

Yesss

Benito's picture
Benito

Those look wonderful Jon and you’ve thought me something new, I’ve never heard of this bread before as I’ve had zero exposure to South African food.

Benny