The Ultimate Guide to Preparing the Most Delicious Skopo aka Smiley for Your New Year’s Feast

Hey there! Are you ready to learn how to make the best Skopo, also known as “Smiley”? It’s a famous and mouthwatering South African dish that’s typically enjoyed on New Year’s Day after going to church. Trust me, you’re in for a treat!

As I look at this picture of Margret Makhetha, I can’t help but be reminded of the rich history and cultural significance of Skopo, a traditional South African dish. For generations, Skopo has been a street food, enjoyed by commuters at taxi and bus ranks due to its affordability and filling nature. But now, it has transcended its humble origins and found its way into high-end nightclubs and cuisine spots in townships and middle-class communities.

Mastering the art of preparing Skopo requires careful attention to detail. You want the meat to be so tender that it falls off the bone, and the flavors to be rich and savory. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of cooking a sheep head, teaching you all the tricks that will leave your guests impressed and intrigued.

Here’s what you need to do:

Throughout the years, street vendors have been constantly updating their Skopo recipes in order to stand out. As a result, the preferred cooking methods for Skopo have evolved. But one thing has remained the same – the importance of prepping the lamb head. Cleaning and removing the fur is a crucial step. Of course, if you don’t feel like doing the work yourself, you can always find a clean lamb head at your local butcher or grocery store.

Here’s how you can clean your Shaka Zulu:

• Start by using garden scissors to remove the thick wool.
• Next, place the sheep’s head on a braai. The heat will burn the wool, making it easier to remove with a long knife. If you prefer, you can also scrub off the fur with a scouring pad.
• Once the fur is gone, place the head in a cool bucket of water and wash off any remaining dirt or wool. Make sure to rinse the mouth, ears, and tongue thoroughly.
• To prepare the head for cooking, chop it in half with an axe.
• Lastly, remove the brain before moving on with the cooking process.

Getting Ready for a Smiley Meal

Are you ready to turn this meat into a delicious and hearty Smiley meal? I sure am! Let’s dive into the traditional cooking method and give it our own spin.

The Traditional Cooking Method

When it comes to cooking Skopo, the most common and traditional method is boiling the sheep’s head in a large pot with salt for about an hour. This simple technique ensures that the meat becomes juicy and tender. The beauty of this method is that it allows the street vendors to serve a larger group of people, as each person can season their meat to their liking.

Our Traditional Method

Now, let’s talk about our own traditional method. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A sheep’s head
• 2 onions
• 2 chili beef cubes
• Boiling water
• Brown onion soup
• Olive oil
• Barbecue spice
• Steak & chops spice

And here’s how we make it:

If you want to go the traditional route, I recommend using 2 chilli beef stock cubes. This will give your Skopo a flavorful base to marinate in.

First, chop the onions into smaller pieces. Then, place the stove on medium heat.

Next, add boiling water to a large pot. Once the water is boiling, add the Skopo and the chopped onions. Let it boil for 30 minutes before adding the chilli beef stock.

After that, let it boil for another hour or so. At this point, you can add the brown onion soup to create a sauce for your Skopo. Make sure to have a kettle of boiling water ready, just in case the pot gets dry.

Continue cooking the meal while stirring for an hour and a half or 2 hours, depending on how soft you want the meat to be.

Once you’re satisfied with the texture of the meat, you can switch off the stove and let it simmer. Enjoy your delicious Skopo!

I’m excited to share with you my take on a festive dish that will surely make a statement: Gourmet Masala Curry Skopo. This recipe takes your favorite Skopo to the next level with a burst of flavors. Here’s how you can make it:

First, remove your Skopo from the chili beef broth and transfer it to an oven pan.

Next, it’s time to add some spices to elevate the taste. We recommend using barbecue spice and steak and chops seasoning for a delicious twist. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the Skopo, ensuring it’s coated evenly.

Now, pop the pan into the oven and let it cook for about 15 minutes. As the Skopo bakes, its golden brown color and irresistible aroma will fill your kitchen. That’s when you know it’s ready to be served.

As for the Masala Curry Skopo, here are the ingredients you’ll need:

– 1 kg sheep head

– 2 green chillies

– 1 onion

– 1 tomato

– 2 teaspoons of ginger and garlic paste

– 2 potatoes

– 1 star aniseed

– 2 bay leaves

– 1 cinnamon stick

– 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder

Now you’re all set to try this mouthwatering Masala Curry Skopo recipe. Enjoy the burst of flavors and the festive touch it adds to every meal.

I’ve got a fantastic recipe that I’m excited to share with you! It’s for a mouthwatering sheep head curry. Trust me, it’s absolutely delicious! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
• 4 tablespoons chilli powder or masala
• 1 tablespoon red chilli flakes
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• A few sprigs of thyme
• ½ cup fresh coriander
• Boiling water

Now, let’s get cooking with the following method:

• First, rinse the sheep head and place it into a bowl.
• Next, peel and chop the onion.
• Rinse and slit the green chilies.
• Then, rinse the tomatoes and chop them into smaller pieces.
• Peel and rinse the potatoes.
• Cut the potatoes into quarters and place them in a bowl.
• Make sure to cover the potatoes with water until you’re ready to use them.

And there you have it! A simple and easy-to-follow recipe for a delicious sheep head curry. Enjoy!

Here’s a simple recipe for making spicy sheep head curry:

1. First, place a pot on the stove and set it to medium heat.
2. Add some vegetable oil to the pot. Once the oil is hot, add in the chopped onion.
3. Next, slit the green chillies and add them to the pot along with some sprigs of thyme.
4. Now, add the cinnamon stick, star aniseed, bay leaves, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds to the pot.
5. Mix all the ingredients together until they are well-coated with oil.
6. After that, add turmeric powder, red chilli flakes, masala, coriander powder, cardamom, ginger, and garlic paste to the pot.
7. Give the ingredients a good mix to ensure they are well combined.
8. Now, it’s time to add the rinsed sheep head to the pot.
9. Season with a bit of salt according to your taste.
10. Mix everything well so that the sheep head is fully covered in the spices.
11. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the meat to seal in the spices for about 10 minutes.
12. Make sure to stir the pot occasionally to prevent the mixture from burning.
13. After 10 minutes, give it a quick fry to enhance the flavors.

There you have it! A delicious and flavorful spicy sheep head curry.

• First, to prepare this delicious curry, gather all the ingredients: chopped tomatoes, coriander, curry leaves, and some boiling water.
• Now, in a bowl, mix everything together until well combined.
• Take a moment to cover the bowl with a lid and let it cook for about 25-30 minutes.
• After that time, check if the meat is tender by poking it with a fork or knife. If it goes through easily, then it’s cooked perfectly.
• Moving on, it’s time to add the potatoes. Make sure to discard the water they were resting in before adding them to the curry.
• Pour some boiling water into the bowl and give it a gentle stir, making sure the potatoes are tucked nicely into the gravy.
• Cover the bowl again with the lid and let the potatoes cook until they are soft and tender.
• Once the potatoes are nice and soft, give the curry a final stir.
• Now, turn off the heat and garnish the curry with fresh coriander.
• Voila! Your delicious meal is ready to be served.



Hey there! Take a look at this recipe – it’s super easy and delicious. And guess what? You can use it for beef or pork too! How cool is that?

So, I found this awesome video that shows you exactly how to make it. Check it out:

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