All you need to throw a spontaneous braai are a few close friends, a windless day and some tasty staples like these.

1. Moreish Mealies

Elevate a simple summer staple with some Mexican flair.

Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
6 mealies
1 tbsp olive oil
2 limes, cut into wedges

Method
Mix chilli powder and cheese; set aside. If braaing mealies in husks, peel back husks, remove corn silk and replace husks. (Or strip husks and silk.) Place on grid and rotate each mealie a quarter turn with tongs every five minutes or as husks become blackened. Remove mealies from grid and strip husks. Brush with olive oil, squeeze with one lime wedge and sprinkle on cheese mixture to taste.

Per serving: 656kJ, 8g fat (2g sat), 20g carbs, 167mg sodium, 3g fibre, 8g protein.

READ MORE: 4 Detox Salads That Are Perfect For A Weekend Braai

2. Cheese Toasties

How do you make everyone’s favourite sandwich even better? Get creative with the fillings and cook to perfection over an open flame.

Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 6 (3 of each sandwich)

What You Need
6 slices sourdough bread
6 slices rye bread
1 medium red onion, finely sliced
1 medium red pepper, finely sliced
3 tbsp olive oil
3 slices Cheddar
3 tsp Dijon mustard
85g Gouda
1/2 Granny smith apple, cored and sliced into rounds
1/2 cup rocket

Method
Brush one side of each bread slice and both sides of onion and red pepper with olive oil. Place onion and red pepper on the grid on a medium-heat fire. Flip when grid marks form (about three to five minutes). Place bread on grid, olive oil side down. Top sourdough bread with Cheddar. On the rye bread, spread mustard and add a thin slice of Gouda. When cheese begins to melt and grid marks have formed
on the bread (three to five minutes), remove from heat. Assemble sandwiches: put onions and red peppers between slices of sourdough, and an apple round and a few rocket leaves between rye slices.

Per sourdough sandwich: 1430kJ, 13g fat (4g sat), 43g carbs, 589mg sodium, 3g fibre, 16g protein.
Per rye sandwich: 1362kJ, 16g fat (6g sat), 36g carbs, 737mg sodium, 4g fibre, 11g protein.

READ MORE: 3 Best Healthy Braai Recipes For An Outdoor Feast

3. Sweet Veggie Skewers

Braai some veggie kebabs, then serve them over greens for a fast salad that’s full of fresh flavour.

Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 6

What You Need
1 aubergine (about 450g), cut into rounds and then halved
24 cherry tomatoes
1 orange pepper, cubed
1 courgette, cut into rounds and then halved
1 sweet onion, cut into rounds and then quartered

Marinade
3 tbsp canola oil
3 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1 clove garlic, minced

Method
Whisk together marinade ingredients and pour over cut vegetables in a wide, shallow dish. Let sit for
five to 10 minutes. Thread vegetables onto 12 skewers. Braai, brushing with extra marinade, for five minutes per side or until veggies are lightly charred.

Per serving (two skewers): 540kJ, 7g fat (1g sat), 15g carbs, 12mg sodium, 4g fibre, 2g protein.

This is the best alcohol to drink if you want to lose weight. Plus: 8 easy pizza toppings that are delicious and healthy.