What’s not to love about hot cross buns smothered in butter or apricot jam? A perennial South African favourite, the hot cross bun needs little introduction. However, modern and more adventurous tastes dictate that we look to alternative ways of eating our hot cross buns.
Let’s look at some ways to have fun with the bun!
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French Toast
As an alternative to bread, consider soaking your favourite hot cross bun variant in the traditional French Toast egg mix, heating a large knob of butter in a pan over medium eat, and frying your bun halves until golden brown. Garnish with berries and cream beaten with a couple of teaspoons of castor sugar. Get the full recipe here.
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Bun-and-butter pudding
Take a traditional bread and butter recipe to a whole new level with some classic or chocolate hot cross buns. Instead of using bread, layer slices of your seasonal buns in a dish. Food Lover’s Market has a delicious and oh-so-easy recipe!
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HCB burger
Now stay with me here – it might seem like the wackiest idea of them all, but the sweetness of the hot cross bun perfectly compliments the savoury of the burger. Consider adding a strong cheese to the burger – like the Food Lover’s Market Gouda or a German Emmenthal, and serve with thick-cut homemade sweet potato chips for a taste explosion.
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Bacon and cheese breakfast toastie
What’s not to love about the combination of bacon and cheese? The simple breakfast hack calls for a toasted bun, a thin layer of butter, a slice of cheese and crispy, streaky bacon. Super easy and delicious!
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Ice-cream sandwich
This is almost too simple and an easy way to finish off an al fresco braai. Halve your buns horizontally and toast – on the braai or in the oven. When nicely toasted, allow to cool just a little before adding hazelnut or chocolate spread to both halves. Finish off be adding a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, before squishing the two halves together and serving. Now that’s what you call “Lip Lekker Braai Kos!”
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Stuff your chicken with hot cross buns
So you’ve bought more buns than you could possible eat before it goes stale? No problem – there’s a wonderful, wacky and delicious solve for that too. Simply shred the stale bun and mix with grated carrot, herbs of your choice and a knob of melted butter. Add some sea salt flakes and cracked black pepper to the mix and voila! – you have stuffing for your chicken, turkey or duck.
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Or fill your HCB with fried chicken!
Have you ever tried the trendy Fried Chicken on Waffles?! If not, you must, and if so…you know you love it! Chef Aya has used a simple buttermilk fried chicken (no breadcrumbs needed) and sandwiched it in a hot cross bun with some Boerenkaas cheese of course. The questions is, which flavour hot cross bun will your use? Try this recipe by Chef Aya.
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Caramelized Onion & Avocado HCB’s
Avocado season is just when it’s time for hot cross buns, so why not top them with something savoury?! A gourmet starter or snack board of hot cross bun open sarmies, topped with caramelised onions and some creamy avocado slices. Try the recipe here.
And there you go – one hot cross bun and so many wonderful, crazy ways to enjoy it.
Look out for more tips, tricks and Hot Cross Bun indulgences up until the end of Easter.
PS: for those who just want a hot cross bun instead of a 6 pack, try our NEW hot cross buns for one! (Enjoy it as is, or as you would a muffin or scone!)
#hotcrossbunfriday #foodloversmarket
