A scrumptious potjie is cooked low and slow.
Cooking over a fire in a cast-iron pot is an age-old tradition that’s close to the hearts of many South Africans.
Popularised in Holland during the 16th century, the tradition was brought to our country by the early Dutch settlers, but today the tradition of cast iron cooking is embraced by a wide variety of South Africans from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The beauty of a potjie is that no two recipes are the same. From hearty beef and red wine recipes to oxtail bredies, chicken dishes and Indian-style lamb curries, there are literally hundreds of ways to combine ingredients and put your personal stamp on the dish.
There are a few basics to remember, though, if you want your fire-cooked pot to be a success.
