Like braaing , cooking in a potjie (3-legged cast iron pot) over hot coals is a popular way of cooking delicious meals out of doors in South Africa.

There are numerous potjiekos (pot food) recipes - here's one that sounded delicious to me, as I love both beef and beer. But of course you'd have to buy enough of the latter to enjoy while waiting for the food to cook - potjie cooking is very definitely a slow-food experience.

 

Hint: Start fire WAY early and prep food ahead of time so that you don't end up with hungry guests waiting to eat at midnight.

 

Beef & Beer Potjiekos Recipe

 

To Buy
 

• 15 ml cake flour
• 5 ml paprika
• 1 kg beef fillet, cubed
• 15 ml butter
• 15 ml cooking oil
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 15 ml white sugar
• 8 green beans, sliced
• 4 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 5 ml mixed dried herbs or marjoram
• 375 ml beer
• 250 ml beef stock
• 1 packet tomato soup powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 15 ml vinegar
• 10 ml cornflour
• salt and pepper to taste

 

To Make:

 

• Mix the paprika & flour in a plastic bag.
• Add the meat cubes, then toss to coat them.
• Melt butter & oil in the pot and brown the meat  (coals should be medium hot)
• Remove meat and set aside.
• Fry the onions & sugar,til onions are tender.
• Toss in beans, carrots & garlic and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Return meat to the pot.
• Stir in the herbs, beer, stock, soup powder and bay leaf
• Cover and simmer till the meat is tender (45 - 60 min), stirring occasionally.
• Mix vinegar & cornflour and stir in.
• Simmer til gravy has thickened
• Season to taste with salt & pepper.

 

Lekkerrrrrrr!

 

For ideas of side dishes to serve with potjiekos check out this website.