Mutton Potjiekos

Cooking Time: 3-4 Hours

Potjiekos is a traditional South African stewing dish prepared in a three leg cast iron pot on the fire. The word Potjiekos loosely translated from Afrikaans, means "pot food". This dish is a South African favorite, it is typically prepared when family or friends come over. Every single South African prepares their "Potjie" differently and there are even some heated debates on how to prepare one correctly. There is just one golden rule in preparing a "Potjie".... Once the meat has browned, you don't stir or mix the ingredients in the pot until dishing up. I'm going to share with you a very simple recipe for preparing a South African Mutton Potjiekos.

What you will need:

Braai Briquettes
Cast Iron Pot.
Stewing Mutton.
Mushrooms
Chopped Vegetables. (Cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, baby marrows (zucchini), green beans and butter nut pumpkin)
Garlic Cloves
Onion
Potatoes
Paprika
White Wine Vinegar
Vegetable Oil
Water
Salt
Pepper
Soup Powder
Cooked Rice

Step1 :

Light a pile of briquettes just enough to cover the base of your pot. Wait until all the briquettes turn white with a layer of ash. As most of you already know from my previous Braai recipes, I hate Braai-ing with briquettes... But with Potjiekos this is an exception to the rule. Firstly the food is inside the pot so it won't affect the taste and secondly, briquettes tend to burn much longer and hotter than charcoal or wood. Of course you can still make Potjiekos with charcoal or wood, it will just require a little more effort.

Step2 :

Add a little oil to the pot and brown your diced onions.

Step3 :

Once the onions are translucent turning brown, add the stewing mutton pieces.

Step4 :

Once the mutton pieces are brown enough add chopped garlic. I used three large cloves. (I love garlic)

Step5 :

Add the dry spices: paprika, salt and pepper followed by a half a cup of white wine vinegar. Allow to simmer for 2 - 3 minutes.

Step6 :

The packet of soup I got is mixed with 750ml of boiling water. Mix soup powder with boiling water and add soup mixture to the pot. Allow pot to simmer for 1hour 30mins. Keep adding a couple of briquettes (2-3) every now and then or as needed to the outer lit briquettes to maintain heat. Also top up with water to maintain water level lost due to evaporation.

Step7 :

After an hour and a half of simmering, add sliced potatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Step8 :

After 5 minutes, add the mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Step9 :

After 5 minutes, add the chopped vegetables. Allow to simmer for another 1 hour 30 minutes.

Step10 :

After an hour and a half, all the vegetables should be nice and soft and most of the water would of evaporated. It's now time to remove from the fire and and dish up!