EASY RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE POTJIEKOS
Potjiekos is a traditional Afrikaner stew dish prepared over an open fire usually outdoors.
The magic about this dish is the combination of meat and vegetables as well as the herbs and spices, which let out a lovely aroma that tantilises you before you even enjoy the yummy dish. The key thing is that the dish should be thick - its stew, not soup, so the thickness is what is also something to be mindful of. It is also important to slow cook this dish -no rush; just enjoy the process. Remember that all good things take time, so learn from the preparation of this scrumptious dish.
It is your choice what meat you use -it can be lamb, beef chops or oxtail - as long as its fresh.
The key vegetables are cabbage, carrots and onion.
INGREDIENTS:
*Four tablespoons of butter or oil *Three chopped onions
*One chopped fresh chillies *Three crushed garlic cloves *500g of whole mushrooms
*A kilo of stewing beef, lamb or oxtail *Four carrots
*About 12 baby potatoes
*Two tins of sweet corn or beans (optional)
*mixed herbs
*salt and pepper
*Half a cup of red wine (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Braise onions and mushrooms in salt.
2. Add chillies and garlic and saute for two minutes.
3. Add the meat, return the lid and let it all simmer.
4. Add carrots, potatoes and vegetables, then let it simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add sweet corn or beans, the herbs and the wine.
6. Cover the pot and let it all simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Reduce heat and let it slowly simmer for about 1 - 2 hours, and keep checking that ingredients don’t dry out.
8. About 20 minutes before serving, add the ingredients.
And there you have it, nice and easy. You can enjoy it alone or serve it with a side of your choice such as dumplings, pap or rice.*