I guess not a lot of people will understand the meaning of the word "POTJIE''
This word is natively used by South African people as a word that resembles a POT.
So, what we people have done, is to take this word, added some sugar and spice to it, and this is the outcome.............
This pot is made out of cast iron and it is able to retain a lot of heat.
What we usually do is to make a variety of food in this pot, but most commonly we will be using the following ingredient as a guideline:
Onion, lamb meat, worcestershire sauce, oil, seasoning, water, sweetcorn, potatoes, pumpkin, mushrooms, carrots......and list can go on and on, until your imagination run dry!
Firstly, fry the onions until coloured....
Then add your meat and seasoning.
Just brown your meat first,add some beefstock and water and let it slowly cook for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
The trick to this whole episode, is to not stir the pot again after you started adding the veggies.
The pot needs to very slowly simmer its way through on a very low heat, not to burn the meat that is left in the bottom.
Next step is to add the potatoes.
Leave it to simmer about 30 minutes, add your sweetcorn, leave for another 15 minutes, add the carrots.....leave for another 20 minutes, and finally add the mushrooms last.
As mentioned, DO NOT STIR OR ATTEMPT TO STIR THE POT AFTER STARTING TO ADD THE VEGGIES!
Otherwise it can not be called a "POTJIE'', but rather a stew.
Finally, after a long 3 1/2 to 4 hours, waiting patiently to see what you have created, the aromas that come out of the ''POTJIE'' overcomes everyone, and you hastely need to discover what it tastes like!
My fellow STEEMERS, let me rather show you what came out of my home brewed ''POTJIE'', then you would likely begin to understand what a true South African potjie is!
So, hope this post will stick with you, and if you ever come across a South African, just start talking about how to make a ''POTJIE'', and I assure you, you might even end up somewhere with them, having invited you over for a potjie, and enjoying it!
Only problem that I had making this particular pot, was that the desert temperature that day soured up to about 44 deg C, so got a tan with making the pot! HAHAHA
Have a nice "POTJIE'' day!
