Making a lekker popular South African layered potjie meal. #southafrica #stew
Channel: Moai - Friendships
Date: 07/01/2024

Potjiekos, translated as "small-pot food," is a dish prepared outdoors in South Africa. It is traditionally cooked in a round, cast iron, three-legged cauldron, the Potjie, descended from the Dutch and brought from the Netherlands to South Africa in the 17th century. It is found in the homes and villages of people throughout southern Africa. The pot is heated using small amounts of wood or charcoal or, if fuel is scarce, twisted grass or dried animal dung.

@MoaiFriends  #southafrica 

When "Potjiekos" is prepared, it is called building the "potjie" in Afrikaans. The dish is usually prepared in layers and never stirred once the lid is on. The first layer is usually Onion (caramelized), followed by meat. The meat can be seafood, poultry, pork, game, red meat, or anything else; the most common meat used is Beef. Next would typically be the vegetables, starting with potatoes, Tomatoes, Tomato paste, Garlic, Carrots, and mushrooms. Ingredients that need to cook longer are often placed closer to the bottom of the "potjie." Sticking to the meat, vegetables, and starch tradition works well if you have enough liquid in the "potjie" and cook it for ~3 hours. Everything should then be wonderfully soft, tender, and juicy. The difference between a "potjie" and a stew is that a "potjie" is never stirred during the cooking process! Once you have built your "potjie" and put on the lid, you will not lift it again unless it is to serve up the dish. In rare cases, and usually only when you suspect something has gone wrong, will you lift the lid and peer into the "potjie". In such cases, it normally is because the "potjie" is running dry, and more liquid needs to be added. This is then poured down the sides on the inside of the "potjie" and never in the middle.

Ingredients
- 3 Pounds Beef cubes
- 1 Pound Beef ribs
- 2 x Tins chopped Tomatoes
- 1 Small tin tomato paste
- 1 x Large Onion
- 1/4 cup oil
- This spice blend, including coriander, paprika, herbs, bay leaves, and others that will add flavor to any meat and vegetable stew.
- 1 Cup carrots
- 1 Cup mushrooms

- Start with the oil in the Potjie
- Add the onions until caramelized
- Add the spices
- Add the meat
- Add the tomatoes
- Add the tomato paste
- Add carrots
- Add mushrooms
Close and periodically check on the Potjie.