Amasi Marinated Ostrich Steak with Fruity Avocado Mint PestoAmasi Marinated Ostrich Steak with Fruity Avocado Mint Pesto. Picture: The South African Avocado Growers' Association

It’s Thirst-Day, family!

Hello my lovely people! I hope you are still enjoying our avocado adventure — and if you used to side-eye avocados, I hope we are slowly winning you over.

Because honestly… who knew we would be building whole meals around avocado like it’s the main character? Shocking, right? I know!

Alright, now that your chairperson has officially entered the meeting, let’s get down to business.

Today’s star is: Amasi Marinated Ostrich Steak with Fruity Avocado Mint Pesto.

Yes, I said it. Don’t panic. Just trust the process. This dish might just turn you into an avocado believer for life. I won’t spoil the surprise — you will have to taste it to understand the hype.

Now, let me take you through the steps to make this masterpiece…

How to make Amasi Marinated Ostrich Steak with Fruity Avocado Mint Pesto

Serves: 2-4
Preparation time: 30 minutes + refrigeration
Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
For the Amasi Marinade:

  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 15 ml (1 tbsp) mild curry powder
  • 250 ml (1 cup) amasi
  • 500 g ostrich steaks

For the Pesto:

  • Handful mint + extra
  • Handful coriander + extra
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 30 ml (2 tbsp) chopped pineapple + extra
  • 30 ml (2 tbsp) chopped peach + extra
  • ½ avocado, chopped + extra
  • 50 g cashew nuts
  • 45 ml (3 tbsp) avocado or olive oil + extra
  • Salt and pepper

To Serve:

  • 5 ml (1 tsp) cornflour
  • Chilli flakes, to sprinkle

Method:

  1. For the marinade, combine all the ingredients. Marinate the steaks in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
  2. For the pesto, blitz together all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a frying pan on high until smoking hot. Remove excess marinade (reserve) from the steak. Add a splash of extra oil to the pan and fry the steaks for about 3 minutes on each side for medium rare or until cooked to your liking. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside for 5 minutes for juices to settle, before slicing. Pack on a platter.
  4. To serve, mix 15 ml (1 tbsp) of the marinade with the cornflour until smooth. Mix through the remaining marinade and heat in a small saucepan on low for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Pour sauce over the steaks. Top with dollops of pesto, extra fruit, avocado (chopped and sliced) and herbs. Sprinkle with chilli flakes.

Tip:

  • Replace the ostrich with beef flank steak for a budget friendly substitute.

*The image and recipe were supplied by The South African Avocado Growers’ Association

HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?: Today’s Tasty Pick: Avocado Wrap

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By Asanda Mbayimbayi

Asanda Mbayimbayi is a multi-award-winning journalist, Lifestyle & Entertainment News Editor, and accomplished storyteller whose work spans digital lifestyle, entertainment, and hard news journalism. Recognised with the prestigious Galliova People's Hero Award in both 2025 and 2026, she has established a distinctive presence in the media landscape through authentic storytelling, editorial excellence, and an ability to connect compelling narratives with the audiences they serve. With a keen instinct for identifying stories that matter and a deep understanding of the relationship between media, culture, and audience engagement, Asanda approaches journalism with a commitment to substance, accuracy, and impact. Her editorial perspective combines the curiosity of an investigative mind with the sensitivity of a storyteller, bringing clarity to complex subjects and depth to stories that shape conversations. Beyond the newsroom, Asanda's expertise extends across research, content creation, production, book editing, and motivational speaking. A qualified Bible teacher, she also draws on her faith and spiritual insight to encourage reflection, personal growth, and meaningful transformation through words. Multifaceted by experience and purpose-driven by conviction, Asanda continues to explore the power of storytelling across platforms and disciplines. Whether shaping editorial narratives, developing compelling content, researching ideas, or inspiring audiences, her work reflects a commitment to thoughtful communication, creative excellence, and stories that leave a lasting impression. At the heart of her work is a belief that storytelling is more than the art of communicating information; it is a powerful tool for informing perspectives, amplifying voices, and creating meaningful connections.