--- title: "#7 Days 7 Ways" description: "Spekko Rice ignites consumers' curiosity with the #7DAYS7WAYS campaign." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Sponsored Content" author: "Spekko Rice" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/spekko-rice/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-04-7-days-7-ways/" published: "2024-07-04T18:20:07" updated: "2024-07-04T18:40:31" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 966 --- # #7 Days 7 Ways > Spekko Rice ignites consumers' curiosity with the #7DAYS7WAYS campaign. By Spekko Rice · Published 4 July 2024, 20:20 SAST · Updated 4 July 2024, 20:40 SAST ## Content ### **A New Recipe** Spekko Rice recently launched the ‘7 Days 7 Ways’ social media campaign, set to shake up consumer perceptions in a market where rice is usually cooked as a side dish or consumed as part of a 7 colours plate. Coming off the brand’s FEED YOUR CURIOSITY creative platform, 7 DAYS 7 WAYS shows how anyone can cook deliciously different rice dishes every day of the week. Early in April, a brigade of 10 of some of the most influential and energetic young chefs and foodies in South Africa were hand-picked to take up the challenge to cook the campaign’s 11 recipes – all delivered in 7 carefully curated Spekko Rice “Feed Your Curiosity” food and equipment boxes. Supplementing this drive was a Metro FM and Ukhozi FM campaign with top presenters also cooking some recipes and posting them on their personal social media platforms. Designed to inspire South Africans to roll up their sleeves, embark on a journey of discovery, and try new ways to cook rice, the campaign showcases recipes highlighting the versatility and superior quality of each Spekko Rice variant. The brand campaign aims to revolutionise consumers’ outlook on both everyday cooking as well as traditional rice preparation. In the vast and competitive local rice market, where rice is one of the most consumed essential foods, this campaign is designed to show how Spekko, a relative “teenager” in the rice aisle, is shaping up to seduce new consumers and retain its already impressive position as the 2nd biggest rice brand in South Africa. ### **Unique Dishes** Amongst the recipes are the unusual and unexpectedly delicious Crispy Rice Squares topped with Tuna Mayo – something between a crispy sushi bite and a tuna melt; and Crispy Rice Waffles with Avocado, Spring Onions and Crème Fraiche – a moreish and sophisticated version of waffles with a savoury topping. Simple ingredients such as pilchards are upskilled into Spicy Rice and Fish Cakes which are then dipped into a chutney mayonnaise; and butternut gets a new lease on life in a vegan rice dish with pecan nuts, cranberries and chickpeas. Recipes, influencers’ videos and other irresistible 7 Days 7 Ways delights, can be accessed at [www.spekkorice.co.za](http://www.spekkorice.co.za). **Discover the secret to perfectly spiced Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs and flavourful Spicy Pea and Pepper Rice with this must-follow recipe!** Serves 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes ***For the chicken*** - 800 g deboned skinless chicken thighs - 2 Tbsp olive oil - 1 tsp chilli powder - 2 tsp garlic powder - 2 tsp smoked paprika - Salt - Ground black pepper - ¾ cup medium peri-peri sauce ***For the rice*** - 2 Tbsp olive oil - 1 Tbsp butter - ½ onion, diced - 1 red pepper, diced - 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped - 1 Tbsp tomato paste - 1 cup Spekko Parboiled Rice, rinsed - 3 ½ cups chicken stock - ½ tsp chilli powder or to taste - 1 tsp turmeric - 1 tsp smoked paprika - ½ cup blanched petit pois or peas - Juice of half a lemon - Small handful of fresh coriander Now that we've got the ingredients covered, let's get cooking! 1. In a bowl, mix the chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons olive oil, the chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika and a pinch of salt & pepper. Mix well. 2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs, making sure to not overcrowd the pan. Cook in two batches if need be. Cook until golden brown, then flip & repeat – 5 - 6 minutes per side. 3. Lower the heat slightly, baste with some peri-peri sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes or until the chicken thighs are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and keep warm. 4. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for a further minute. 5. Add the rice to the pan and dry fry it for 1 minute. Add the stock and water. Add the chilli powder, turmeric and smoked paprika, stir through. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and allow to simmer slowly for 20 - 25 minutes, or until cooked. 6. Use a fork to fluff the rice, add the peas and a squeeze of lemon juice. 7. Reheat the chicken slightly if need be, slice it and arrange on top of the rice. Squeeze over some lemon juice, garnish with coriander and serve. ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/926-Peri-Peri-Chicken-Thighs-with-Spicy-Pea-and-Pepper-Rice.png) ### **Tasty Results** Mid-campaign, the 7 Ways 7 Days drive already had a Reach of over 11,3 million and generated over 1,4 million views and loads of positive comments on social media. Social media champions, targeting different consumer groups, and who have a combined follower base of over 5 million, included Chef Zanele van Zyl, Herman Lensing, Luyanda Mafanya, Gadija Sydow, Chef Nono Mtshali from Durban, Chef Liziwe Matloha, Clement Pedro, Chef Mmule Setati, Mash Mugwena and Khanya Mzongwana. Lerato Kganyago from Metro FM and Mrwoza Buthelezi from Ukhozi FM completed the team. Spekko Rice, currently with 5 superior quality rice variants – all sourced from some of the most reputable rice farmers and marketers in the world – prides itself on only bagging rice of a single origin and variant in any single bag. "The most thrilling aspect of this campaign was witnessing the paradigm shift in how people perceive rice, it's not just a staple; it's the canvas upon which culinary masterpieces are painted—a true foodie's rice,” said Spekko's Marketing Manager, Jonita Cuff. To view some of the **amazing videos from the Spekko chefs**, herewith two to whet your appetite: Chef Zanele van Zyl cooking Spekko’s Ham and Cheese Frittata: [https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5VQRdnCGvo/?igsh=cWl3M3p4YWMxZTcz](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5VQRdnCGvo/?igsh=cWl3M3p4YWMxZTcz) Clement Pedro cooking Spekko’s Crispy Rice Cakes: [https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5xtBqSKyQ9/](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5xtBqSKyQ9/) Spekko Rice is an Essential Food brand under the PepsiCo umbrella. #FeedYourCuriosity #StartWithTheBestIngredients #SpekkoRice ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spekko-Logo-NEW-720x323.png)