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Traditionally, marinated vegetables, chutneys, and papads are consumed with meals because the side dish plays an important role. Sometimes the taste of dal or vegetable dishes may not be very pleasant, and in such cases, chutney helps enhance the flavor. Although everyone makes chutney from cilantro, mint, seeds, tomatoes, and onions, it is worth trying homemade cashew and garlic paste. Its creamy texture is very pleasant, and it can be served with snacks, salads, sandwiches, or other favorite dishes, which is preferable to buying a ready-made product in the store. Furthermore, preparing this special paste requires not many ingredients.

Cashew and Garlic Paste Recipe:

To begin making the cashew and garlic paste, you need to prepare the cashews. Raw cashews should be soaked in water for at least 4 hours; they can also be soaked for 8–12 hours.

How to Make Cashew and Garlic Paste

After soaking, drain the cashews and rinse them thoroughly with clean water. Then, place the soaked cashews into a food processor or a powerful blender. Initially, add only half a clove of garlic, along with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, green onion, sea salt, and a little honey or maple syrup.

Next, add about a quarter cup of water and blend at high speed until an absolutely smooth and creamy consistency is achieved. If the mixture seems too thick, gradually add the remaining water. It is important to ensure that the paste is neither too thick nor too thin.

Once the paste is blended, taste it and adjust the flavor if necessary by adding a little salt or lemon juice. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can add the remaining half clove of garlic and blend again. Thus, the homemade cashew and garlic paste is ready.

Although South Africans might endlessly debate which snack deserves the top spot, Tyla has shared her opinion. During an interview with Elle UK, she was presented with a box of mysterious treats from the country's most iconic products and asked to rank them.

Before tasting, Tyla mentioned that one of the first places she visits after returning to South Africa is the restaurant Nando's. She stated that her usual order includes a quarter chicken with extra spice, fries, a Nando's roll, chicken liver, and a Sprite soda.

Furthermore, she noted that after going out with friends in the evening, she always hosts a barbecue (braai) with her family.

When it came to the contents of the mystery box, the Ghost Pops snack made a strong impression. Tyla named it the best, trying the Simba snack and placing it at the top of her list. Next was Baxtons Apricots, a sweet treat familiar to many South Africans who ate it as children. However, for Tyla, childhood memories were too strong, and she joked that she now has an 'allergy' to them after such heavy consumption in her youth, so this product did not rank highly.

Peppermint Crisp elicited a completely different reaction. As soon as the chocolate appeared, her attitude changed, and she even mentioned that if she gets to make a dessert, it will most likely be a Peppermint Crisp tart. The only warning she gave was that it is very minty and, in her words, might have a toothpaste aftertaste.

Next was Sparletta Sparberry, a bright red soft drink that many South Africans remember from childhood parties. Tyla revealed that her mother used to tell her as a child that it was medicine. This childhood association clearly remained, as after the first sip, she said it still tasted like medicine.

Simba Mrs Balls Chutney chips also became a favorite. In fact, Tyla admitted that she was wrong in her initial ranking and decided they deserved a higher spot than Ghost Pops.

Romany Creams are linked to family bonds. Tyla explained that she used to buy these biscuits for her father's birthday. But since she doesn't particularly like biscuits herself, they did not rank high on her list.

Fizzer sparked one of the most interesting stories during the interview. Tyla recalled being accused of stealing one of these sweets as a child after she and her sister left the store while she was chewing. The owner suspected she stole the candy, but checking the store's camera footage revealed that she had actually entered the store with ice cream. She remembered: 'It was so dramatic.'

Biltong, unsurprisingly, became another strong contender. The reason she likes it was simple: 'What I love about biltong is that it is real meat.' She also pointed to it as a good source of protein, including it in her favorites list.

When she had to choose between a traditional South African dish—a barbecue (braai) or a bunny chow—Tyla did not hesitate. She chose the barbecue, explaining that she loves the variety because you can eat different types of meat, as well as salad.

For a global superstar who travels frequently, this snack contest served as a reminder that some of Tyla's strongest ties to home are familiar tastes and childhood memories. Although her ranking may spark debate among South Africans, one thing is clear: Tyla has not forgotten the treats that made up her childhood.