Main Courses

VEGETABLES

FISH

POULTRY

BEEF

PORK

MUTTON & LAMB

VENISON

POTJIEKOS


Vegetarian


ISIPHUPHULU SIKABHIBTSHISI NAMAZAMBANE

(Mashed potatoes and beans)

Ingredients:

500g sugar beans

500ml water

4 medium potatoes, washed and cubed

75g spring onion, washed and diced

15ml margarine

Add salt to taste

Method:

Cook the beans in water until tender.  Add potatoes and spring onions and continue cooking until the potatoes are cooked.  Add salt to taste and stir well to combine.  Simmer for 15 minutes and serve.


LEPU

(Pumpkin leaves)

Ingredients:

145g fresh young pumpkin leaves, rinsed and chopped

460g pumpkin (small)

1 medium-sized onion, diced

1 medium-sized potato, diced

150ml milk

Add salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Cut pumpkin into small pieces.  Place the pumpkin leaves into salted boiling milk, reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.  Add the other ingredients and cook for another 15 minutes.

Serve hot.


MOROGO

(Indigenous green leafy vegetable)

Ingredients:

90g morogo (spinach), rinsed and finely chopped

1 medium-sized onion, diced

250ml milk

50g margarine

Add salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Add all ingredients to milk and cook for 30 minutes or until creamy.

Serve hot.

Variations:

Add two medium-sized diced potatoes and 30ml milk whilst cooking morogo.  Mash the potatoes with morogo.

OR

Add 20ml peanut butter instead of margarine and simmer for 15 minutes.


POTATO AND ONION BAKE

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 610; prep time 30 min; cooking time 45 min)

Ingredients:

3 large boiled onions

500g boiled potatoes

2 eggs, well beaten

25ml (2 tablespoons) fresh breadcrumbs

25ml (2 tablespoons) butter or margarine

37½ml (3 tablespoons) Parmesan cheese, grated

150ml milk

Grated nutmeg

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Liquidise the onions and potatoes in a blender.  Add the milk, grated cheese and eggs and beat until the mixture is soft and creamy.  Season to taste with nutmeg, and add the salt and pepper.  Place in casserole, then sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and melted butter or margarine.  Bake in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 45 minutes.  Serve at once.


 

POTELE

(Leafy vegetable and mealie meal)

Ingredients:

300g morogo, chopped, rinsed and shredded

1 medium-sized onion, chopped

160g mealie meal (maize meal / flour)

50g margarine

500ml milk

Add salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Bring milk to the boil.  Add salt, shredded green leafy vegetable (morogo) and onion, reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.  Add mealie meal and mix well.  Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve hot as a main meal.


POTJIEKOS

Potjiekos is wonderful for people who love an outside fire and a bottle of wine.  It is a perfect life-style and a get-together of friends.  With today’s pressures and the rush of life, most people who try Potjiekos cooking find it enforces a relaxed atmosphere.  However it’s particularly for sharing and for fun and should not be attempted alone.  So why not go ahead and try it for yourself!  Whatever your taste in food, Potjiekos will do the trick.

Traditional 3-legged pots are made of cast iron and come in various sizes.  You will find, for a family of 5, to do roast potatoes or a heavy stew, a No.1 is quite adequate.  However, when you have guests, you’ll probably prefer to use a No.3.  The round-bellied pots are best for most Potjiekos as it distributes the heat evenly in all directions.  For baking, a flat-bottomed potjie is extremely useful.  They can be used on the fire or a gas bottle fitted with a Potjiekos cooker top, which holds a 3-legged pot securely.  When the weather lets you down whilst caravanning and you’ve prepared your Potjiekos, DON’T PANIC!  We’ve discovered you can place the potjie on the caravan’s built-in gas stove and it cooks to perfection.

A new pot must be seasoned before you are able to cook in it (except when baking, as the mixture can go into a baking tin and then into the pot, not actually in direct contact with the unseasoned pot).

Seasoning the new pot:

Fill the pot with water and add one cup of white vinegar and bring to the boil with the lid on.  Allow to boil for approximately 2 hours.  Throw the water away.  Fill the pot with fresh water, a handful of coarse salt and any vegetable peelings you may have (potato, onion and carrot peelings are best).  Bring to the boil and brew for 3 hours with the lid on.  When cool, clean and scour the pot with steel wool and a pot scourer to smooth the inside of the pot.  Rinse the pot out making sure it is clean.  Place the pot on the fire or gas cooker to heat for approximately 10 minutes.  Remove from the heat and, using a cloth, roller towel or a paintbrush, rub the sides of the pot with Holsum (cooking fat), which will be absorbed by the pot while it is hot.  Repeat this heating and rubbing twice.  The pot is now ready for use.

Fire:

Wood or charcoal can be used.  With experience one learns the importance of long-lasting fire, a fire with coals, which are just hot enough for simmering slowly.  It is wise to keep a fire going on one side to adjust the heat for your potjie.

Basic cooking method:

Warm your potjie on a fast flame.  Add 2 tablespoons of oil and brown your onions.  Remove the onions and brown the meat.  If your meat and other ingredients car chopped up small, remember they will cook quicker.  Once browned, add all the other vegetables in layers, placing longer cooking items towards the bottom.  Here you can experiment with all types of ingredients.  The lid is heavy and fits tightly and the pot retains the steam whilst cooking, therefore never use too much liquid.  Try to use stock, wine or beer instead of water.  Pour your sauce (made up of your favorite ingredients) over the top, gently parting the layers with a long-handled spoon for sauce to reach the bottom.  Lastly, place a half potato on the top before closing the lid.  Sit back, sip wine, relax and enjoy the rich aroma.

Watch the pot closely – it can burn quite easily if the fire is too hot or else it may not be cooking at all  if the fire is not hot enough.  Always beep the lid on and don’t mix up the layers by stirring.  Only after a few hours will the lid be ready to be lifted.  If the potato on the top is cooked, it should be ready to have the last stir before everyone is given the go ahead with the long-handled serving spoon.

Cleaning:

After every Potjiekos meal, cool the potjie slowly and don’t damage it by placing it in water whilst hot.  Clean the potjie inside and out with warm soapy water.  The more the potjie is used, the smoother it becomes on the inside and therefore easier to clean.  Warm the potjie slightly and grease it all over with a thin layer of Holsum (cooking fat) immediately to prevent rusting.  It is now ready for storage until next time.

Have fun!


PUMPKIN FRITTERS

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 000; prep time 40 min; cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

500ml (2 cups) cooked pumpkin, mashed

1 egg, beaten

62½ml (2 tablespoons) flour

10ml (2 teaspoons) baking powder

1ml (¼ teaspoon) salt

Butter, margarine or oil

Garnish :    Sugar mixed with cinnamon

                   Lemon slices

Method:

Combine the pumpkin, flour, baking powder and salt to form a soft batter.  Add the egg and beat well.  Heat the butter, margarine or oil in a frying pan until it sizzles.  Drop spoonfuls of the batter in the fat and fry the fritters on both sides until golden brown.  Remove and keep warm.  Serve hot, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and garnished with slices of lemon.


SETJETSA

(Pumpkin and mealie meal)

Ingredients:

560g pumpkin, cubed

165g mealie meal (maize meal / flour)

50g margarine

500ml milk

Add salt to taste

Method:

Cook pumpkin and all other ingredients except mealie meal for 20 minutes or until cooked.  Add mealie meal and mix well.  Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until cooked.

Serve hot.


STYWE PAP

(In a potjie pot over coals, or in a normal cooking pot on top of the stove)

Ingredients:

1 litre water

1 tablespoon salt

3 cups mealie meal

1 tablespoon butter

2 teaspoons olive oil

Method:

Boil water then add the salt.  Add the mealie meal and stir until the mixture is fairly thick.  Add the butter and olive oil.  Fold in well.  Steam on low heat, with the lid on, for 30 minutes.  Avoid lifting the lid too often as this will stop the pap from rising.


 FISH


BARBEQUED STUFFED SALMON

(Or substitute other fish)

Ingredients:

250ml dry white wine

125ml lemon juice

125ml cooking oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2½kg salmon

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 cups cooked rice (brown and long grain mixed)

1 teaspoon ginger, chopped

1 cup spring onions, chopped

½ teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Method:

In a saucepan, bring the wine, lemon juice, cooking oil, garlic, ginger, thyme, salt and Tabasco sauce to the boil for a marinade and leave to cool.  Clean the fish; remove the head and the tail and score by making several diagonal cuts about 5mm deep in the flesh.  Place in the marinade and leave in the fridge for about 6 hours, turning occasionally.  Remove the fish and pat dry.  Keep the marinade for basting.  Mix the rice and onions, loosely fill the salmon and close the opening with skewers and thread.  Cook the fish over the barbeque, or in a grill about 4cm from the heat, for about 15 minutes on each side.  Baste frequently with the marinade.


SNOEK CURRY

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 780; prep time 30 min; cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

1kg unsalted snoek, sliced

1 large onion, finely chopped

5ml (1 teaspoon) tomato paste

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

10ml (2 teaspoons) flour

Oil for frying

Juice of ½ lemon

250ml water

85ml vinegar

20ml (4 teaspoons) sugar

12½ml (1 tablespoon) apricot jam

2 whole allspice

1 bay leaf

12½ml (1 tablespoon) curry powder

5ml (1 teaspoon) turmeric

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Season the slices of snoek with the salt and pepper and sprinkle with the lemon juice.  Set aside.  Heat a little oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until lightly browned.  Add the curry and turmeric and mix well.  Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir in, blending well.  Add the water and bring to the boil, stirring all the time.  Reduce the heat to low and add the snoek, allspice, bay leaf and tomato paste.  Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.  Mix together the vinegar, sugar and apricot jam and add to the fish.  Simmer another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add more salt and pepper if necessary and serve at once on a bed of boiled rice.


SNOEK PIE

(Serves 8; kJ per portion 800; prep time 25 min; cooking time 30 min)

Ingredients:

500g cheese shortcrust pastry (see recipe)

500ml (2 cups) smoked snoek, flaked

3 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped

125ml (½ cup) Cheddar cheese, grated

1 raw egg

250ml (1 cup) milk

12½ml (1 tablespoon) Worcester sauce

12½ml (1 tablespoon) parsley, finely chopped

Method:

Make the pastry as directed and press it into a pie dish.  Set aside.

Combine the snoek and hard-boiled eggs in a bowl.  Beat together the milk, egg and Worcester sauce and fold into the snoek mixture.  Stir in the parsley.  Spoon the filling into the pie shell and bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with the grated cheese and serve hot.

Variations:

1. Use Blaauwkrantz cheese instead of Cheddar cheese.

2. Make individual pies, but bake them for 15 minutes instead of 30 minutes.

Note:

To serve after freezing, heat in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 45 minutes to 1 hour.


CHEESE SHORTCRUST PASTRY

Ingredients:

500g cake flour

350g shortening (butter or margarine or a combination of butter and lard)

175ml iced water

25ml lemon juice

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

60g grated Cheddar cheese

Method:

Sift the dry ingredients together in a bowl.  Cut or rub the grated Cheddar cheese, and shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle the water and lemon juice onto the crumbs.

Press lightly together – do not knead.

Wrap in waxed paper and chill until needed.


TROUT WITH ALMONDS

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 1 100; prep time 30 min; cooking time 10 min)

Ingredients:

4 trout

100g butter

37½ml (3 tablespoons) flour

150ml milk

25g flaked almonds

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

Garnish : tomato wedges, lemon wedges, parsley sprigs

Method:

Marinate the trout in the milk and salt for 10 minutes then remove the fish and dredge in the flour.  Melt 75g butter in a frying pan and fry the trout over medium heat for 6 minutes on each side.  Remove the trout and place on a heated serving dish.  Keep warm.  Add the remaining butter to the pan and fry the flaked almonds until they are golden brown.  Scatter them over the trout and serve at once, garnished with tomato and lemon wedges and sprigs of parsley.


POULTRY


CHICKEN á la KING

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 1 380; prep time 25 min; cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

4 chicken joints, cooked, skinned and coarsely chopped

120g mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 green pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

62½ml (5 tablespoons) butter or margarine

12½ml (1 tablespoon) flour

2 egg yolks

275 chicken stock

150ml milk

150ml single cream

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Melt the butter or margarine in a large frying pan and sauté the green pepper in it until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add the mushrooms and sauté until tender.  Remove the frying pan from the stove, blend in the flour and then gradually stir in first the chicken stock and then the milk.  Return the frying pan to the stove and bring the mixture to the boil, stirring continuously until thickened.  Add salt and pepper and the pieces of chicken and heat through, about 10 minutes.  Beat the cream and egg yolks lightly in a bowl, stir some of the hot sauce into it, then stir the mixture into the sauce and heat, but do not boil.  Serve immediately with boiled rice.

Note:

Freeze before adding the cream and egg yolks.  To serve, thaw, heat and beat the cream and egg yolks lightly in a bowl, stir some of the hot sauce into it, then stir the mixture into the sauce and heat, but do not boil.  Serve immediately with boiled rice.


CHICKEN AND BACON PIE

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 890; prep time 20 min; cooking time 45 min)

Ingredients:

170g short crust or puff pastry (see recipe)

500g cooked chicken, cubed

4 rashers bacon, diced

120g button mushrooms

62½ml (5 tablespoons) flour

62½ml (5 tablespoons) butter or margarine

300ml milk

Salt and pepper

Method:

Heat half the butter on a frying pan and sauté the bacon and mushrooms in it for 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove and set aside.  Heat the remaining butter in a frying pan, stir in the flour to blend smoothly and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.  Stir in the milk and season to taste, then bring to the boil and cook until thickened.  Add the chicken pieces, bacon and mushrooms and blend well.  Allow to cool slightly.  Place the filling in a 200mm pie plate.  Roll the pastry out to a round to fit the plate and place on top of the filling.  Brush the crust with the milk and bake in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 30 to 35 minutes.  Serve hot.

Note:

The pie can be frozen baked or unbaked.


DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN LIVERS

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 800; prep time 35 min; cooking time 30 min)

Ingredients:

250g chicken livers

1ml (½ teaspoon) baking powder

125ml (½ cup) flour

25ml soy sauce

12½ml sherry

85ml water

2ml (½ teaspoon) salt

Dash pepper

Oil for frying

Method:

Combine the sherry and soy sauce in a jug.  Place the chicken livers in a shallow dish, pour the sherry mixture over them and marinate for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine the flour, water, baking powder, salt and pepper in a bowl to form a batter.  Heat the oil in a deep frying pan.  Dip each piece of chicken liver separately in the butter and fry them in the oil until golden brown.  Remove liver from the pan as it is done, drain on absorbent paper and keep warm.  When all the liver has been fried, serve on toothpicks.


GUINEA FOWL CASSEROLE

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 1 300; prep time 25 min; cooking time 2¼ hours)

Ingredients:

1 large guinea fowl

170g bacon or ham, diced

4 smoked sausages

170g prunes, soaked overnight and stones removed

1 small cabbage, shredded

1 large onion, finely sliced

25ml (2 tablespoons) fat or lard

125ml red wine

62½ml (5 tablespoons) flour, seasoned with:

            5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

            5ml (1 teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Roll the fowl in the seasoned flour

Melt the fat or lard in a large frying pan and fry the fowl in it, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over.  Remove from the pan.  Add the onion and bacon or ham to the frying pan and sauté for 5 minutes.  Mix in the cabbage, and place half the mixture in the bottom of a large casserole.  Place the fowl and most of the prunes on top of this layer, then cover with the remaining cabbage mixture, the rest of the prunes and the red wine.  Arrange the smoked sausages on top.  Bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F), covered, for 2 hours.  Carve the fowl, arrange the slices on a heated serving dish and arrange the prunes, cabbage mixture and sausages around it.  Serve at once.

Note:

The skin of the guinea fowl is extremely tough and is best removed before cooking.


OVEN ROASTED POULTRY

(Serves 10; kJ per portion 980; prep time 30 min; cooking time 2-3 hours)

Ingredients:

1 turkey, goose, duck or chicken

25ml (2 tablespoons) flour

25ml (2 tablespoons) butter or fat

12½ml lemon juice

Stuffing (see recipes)

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper for every kg of meat

Method:

If necessary, singe off the down and stubble.  Clean the body cavity thoroughly.  Stuff the body cavity with a stuffing of your choice.  Sew up the openings or secure with skewers.  Rub bird with lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Spread with butter or fat and dredge in flour.  Pour a little water into the roasting pan, add the bird and roast, covered, in the oven at 160°C (325°F), basting frequently.  Uncover and brown bird for the last 15 minutes of the roasting time.


POTJIE POT POULTRY ROAST

Ingredients:

Poultry : chicken, guinea fowl or turkey

Stuffing of your choice

Seasoning and herbs

Flour

Tin foil

Method:

Stuff your bird, season and dust with flour.  If using guinea fowl, strips of fatty bacon or blobs of margarine are required as it is a dry game bird.  Encase your bird in heavy-duty tin foil sealing well so juices don’t run out.  Put in pre-heated potjie pot and remember to keep turning the bird every so often to brown all sides.


BEEF


BEEF BLOOMER

Ingredients:

1 small white loaf of bread or hamburger rolls

Soft margarine

250g minced meat

1 tablespoon oil

2 teaspoons Worcester sauce

Pepper

1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice

1 or 2 onions

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

250ml stock

Pinch mixed herbs

Method:

Slice the top off the loaf, or rolls, and reserve.  Leaving about 1cm all round the sides, carefully pull out the inside and make breadcrumbs of it.  Spread a little margarine round the inside of the hollow loaf or rolls.

Fry the chopped onions in oil until soft.  Add the minced meat, and brown.  Add the paprika and fry for 2 minutes.  Add the breadcrumbs and all other ingredients and allow to cook for 5 minutes.  Pack this mixture into the loaf, or rolls, and replace the top.  Brush the top with margarine, wrap in foil and place on a baking sheet in the oven.  Bake for 105 minutes for the loaf, 60 minutes for the rolls.  Open the foil for the last 15 minutes of cooking time allowing the bread to crisp on the outside.


BEEF BOBOTIE

(Serves 8; kJ per portion 1 210; prep time 30 min; cooking time 50 min)

Ingredients:

1kg minced beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

125ml (½ cup) seedless raisins (optional)

125ml (½ cup) blanched almonds (optional)

12½ml (1 tablespoon) apricot jam

12½ml (1 tablespoon) fruit chutney

1 slice white bread

10ml (2 teaspoons) butter or oil

3 eggs

250ml milk

25ml lemon juice

10ml (2 teaspoons) curry powder

5ml (1 teaspoon) turmeric

2 lemon or bay leaves

10ml (2 teaspoons) salt

Method:

Soak the bread in 125ml milk, squeeze to remove the milk and mix the bread with the minced beef.  Mix in all the other ingredients, except the butter or oil, eggs, milk and leaves.  Melt the butter or heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the meat mixture lightly in it.  Turn out into a casserole.  Beat the eggs and the rest of the milk together and pour over the meat.  Garnish with the leaves.  Bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until set, about 50 minutes.

Note:

Bobotie freezes very well.  To serve, thaw and heat through.


BOEREWORS

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 000; prep time 40 min; cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

1½kg beef

1½kg pork

500g pork siding (spek) cut in 7mm cubes

25ml (2 tablespoons) salt

5ml (1 teaspoon) pepper

50ml (4 tablespoons) coriander

2ml (½ teaspoon) grated nutmeg

1ml (¼ teaspoon) ground cloves

2ml (½ teaspoon) ground allspice

2ml (½ teaspoon) ground dried thyme

125ml vinegar

1 clove garlic, crushed

50ml Worcester sauce

85g sausage casing

Method:

Roast the coriander until light brown, then grind and mix it with all the other spices, salt and pepper.  Mince the meat coarsely and mix very lightly with all the other ingredients.  Fill the casings not too firmly with the meat mixture.

Note:

·      Do not knead the meat; otherwise the sausage will be too firm.

·      Use good quality meat without sinews and membranes.

·      Make sure that the cubes of siding are evenly distributed.

·      Sausage freezes very well, provided that it is made from fresh meat.

·      Other kinds of meat may be used, for example, veal, pork, lamb, venison.


FILLET POT ROAST

Ingredients:

1 beef fillet

1 punnet mushrooms

250ml cream

Olive oil

Butter

Method:

In a heavy saucepan heat equal quantities of olive oil and butter to a depth of 2cm.  Brown the fillet well on all sides.  Turn heat down and cook for about 20 minutes, turning frequently.  Remove meat from the saucepan and place on one side.  Do not cut it. Add sliced mushrooms to the saucepan and cook until tender.  Pour in the cream, season with salt and fresh ground pepper and herbs (optional).  Thicken with a little corn flour.  Cut fillet into thick slices and lay in a shallow casserole.  Cover with the sauce.  Seal the dish and keep in a warming drawer until ready to serve.


PEPPER STEAK

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 1 010; prep time 10-15 min + marinating time;

cooking time 5-10 min)

Ingredients:

4 pieces rump or fillet steak

25ml (2 tablespoons) black peppercorns

25ml (2 tablespoons) butter or margarine

125ml meat stock

25ml brandy

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

Oil for frying

Garnish : finely chopped parsley

Method:

Crush the peppercorns coarsely and with the palm of the hand press some into each side of the steaks.  Allow to stand for 1 hour.  Pour a thin film of oil into a heavy frying pan and heat.  Now add the steaks and fry until done to taste.  Sprinkle the steaks with salt and remove from the pan.  Place on a heated serving dish and set aside; keep warm.  Warm the brandy in a small saucepan and set it alight and pour brandy into the frying pan, shaking the pan until the flames die down.  Stir in the stock and bring to the boil.  Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the butter or margarine, a little at a time, until well blended.  Pour over the steaks and serve at once, garnished with chopped parsley.

Variation:

If available, use green peppercorns instead of the black.


PORK


BRAISED PORK CHOPS

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 1 100; prep time 15 min + basting time;

cooking time 40 min)

Ingredients:

6 pork chops, bones removed

2 green onions, finely chopped

12½ml oil

85ml soy sauce

12½ml (1tablespoon) sugar

6 whole peppercorns

Marinade:

37½ml soy sauce

25ml sherry

½ clove garlic, minced

3 slices fresh ginger root, minced

Method:

Combine the marinade ingredients in a large flat dish and marinade the pork chops in it for 30 minutes.  Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan and fry the chops in it, turning once to brown on both sides.  Combine the green onions, soy sauce, sugar and whole peppercorns and pour over the chops.  Cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes.  Serve at once.


FRUITY GAMMON

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 200; prep time 20 min; cooking time 35-40 min)

Ingredients:

6 gammon steaks or Kessler chops

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 large oranges

75ml (6 tablespoons) fruit mincemeat

62½ml (5 tablespoons) butter or margarine

2ml (½ teaspoon) mustard powder

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Garnish : 1 large orange

Method:

Cut the rind from the gammon with a pair of scissors and snip the edges of the meat at 2cm intervals to prevent the meat from curling as it cooks.  Grease a large roasting pan with half the butter or margarine and lay the meat in it.  Melt the rest of the butter or margarine in a small saucepan and sauté the onions until soft.  Remove the pan from the stove and add the grated rind and juice of 2 oranges, the mustard powder, fruit mincemeat and pepper.  Pour the mixture over the meat.  Bake, uncovered, on a shelf above the center of the oven at 180°C (350°F) until tender, about 35 minutes.  Peel and slice the remaining orange and garnish.


PORK KEBABS

Ingredients:

1kg pork steaks (fillet or neck), cubed

1 red pepper, cubed

1 green pepper, cubed

410g can of pineapple pieces

MARINADE

2½ cups dry martini (vermouth)

4 tablespoons sunflower oil

2 tablespoons white vinegar

12 black peppercorns, crushed

1 bay leaf

½ teaspoon dried thyme

1 sprig fresh tarragon

Method:

Marinate the meat in the marinade for 4 hours.  Thread the meat, peppers and pineapple alternately onto skewers and braai over medium coals, turning and basting frequently.


PORK SPARERIBS

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 000; prep time 40 min; cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

1½ kg pork spareribs, washed and trimmed

1 clove garlic, crushed

125ml soy sauce

25ml honey

12½ml sherry

Method:

Place the spareribs in a shallow baking dish.  Combine the soy sauce, honey, sherry and garlic in a bowl, then pour the mixture over the spareribs.  Marinate for 1 hour, turn over and marinate for 1 further hour.  Drain, reserving the marinade.  Replace the spareribs in the baking dish and roast in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes on each side under the grill and serve immediately.


MUTTON & LAMB


BAKED LAMB CHOPS

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 880; prep time 10 min; cooking time 50 min)

Ingredients:

4 lamb chump or loin chops

A little oil

Bercy butter

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

2ml (½  teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Snip the fat around the edge of each chop and place chops in a greased baking dish.  Brush the chops with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake, covered, in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes, turning once.  Spread Bercy butter over each of the chops and bake, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes.  Serve at once.

Variations:

  1. Brown the chops on both sides in oil, then place them in an ovenproof dish.  Spread a little tomato sauce over each, sprinkle with salt and pepper and top each with a slice of lemon, a slice of onion, chopped tomato and crumbled dried basil.  Bake for 2 minutes, then top with shredded Cheddar or Gruyère cheese and bake until the cheese melts.
  2. Prepare chops as above (1).  Mix together 10ml Worcested sauce and 120g crumbed Blaauwkrantz cheese and spread a little on each chop.  Pour 125ml meat stock around the chops and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
  3. Top the chops with chutney or sweet & sour sauce instead of Bercy Butter.

 

 

BERCY BUTTER

Ingredients:

50g butter, salted or unsalted

2 spring onions, finely chopped

10ml dry white wine

10ml (2 teaspoons) parsley, finely chopped.

Method:

Simmer spring onions in the wine until 5ml remain and allow to cool.

Cream 50g salted or unsalted butter until soft and oily

Combine well with all the other ingredients.

Chill for 2 hours

Shape into pats with wax-proof paper or foil.


LAMB CASSEROLE WITH HERB DUMPLINGS

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 460; prep time 1 hour; cooking time 2 hours)

Ingredients:

750g neck of lamb, cubed

10 small onions

2 apples, cored and thinly sliced

62½ml (5 tablespoons) flour

25ml oil

150ml cider or apple juice

300ml meat stock

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Fat for frying

Herb dumplings (see recipe)

Method:

Melt the fat in a large casserole on top of the stove and brown the meat quickly to seal in the juices.  Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sauté the onions until transparent, then transfer them to the casserole.  Stir the flour into the oil that remains in the frying pan, a little at a time, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Gradually add the cider or apple juice and the meat stock, stirring all the time, and simmer until the sauce thickens.  Pour the hot sauce over the meat and onions in the casserole, and the salt and pepper and arrange the apple on top.  Bake in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 1¾ to 2 hours.  Meanwhile, make the dumplings as directed and place them in the casserole for the last 30 minutes for the baking time.  Serve hot.

HERB DUMPLINGS

(Serves 4-5; kJ per portion 290; prep time 30 min; cooking time 15-20 min)

Ingredients:

125g self-raising flour

60g suet

5ml (1 teaspoon) dried mixed herbs

2ml (½ teaspoon) salt

Water to mix

Method:

Sift the flour and salt into a basin.  Cut in the suet with a knife, blend in the herbs and stir in enough water to bind.  The dough should be soft enough to form into balls.  Divide into 8 to 10 portions and, with floured hands, roll into balls (dumplings).  Check that the liquid in the stew or casserole is boiling, then add the dumplings.  Cook the dumplings for at least 15 minutes, making sure that the liquid boils steadily until the dumplings are cooked.


LAMB SOSATIES

(Serves 6-8; kJ per portion 1 080; prep time 30 min; cooking time 15 min)

Ingredients:

1kg leg of lamb, cut into 2½cm cubes

125g mutton fat, cubed

250g dried apricots

3 onions, thickly sliced

75ml (6 tablespoons) smooth apricot jam

25ml (2 tablespoons) brown sugar

3 cloves garlic

2 bay leaves

25ml (2 tablespoons) curry powder

25ml wine vinegar

12½ml (1 tablespoon) salt

5ml (1 teaspoon) pepper

Oil for frying

Method:

Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion rings for 1 to 2 minutes, taking care to ensure that the rings remain intact, then remove them from the pan and drain well on absorbent paper.  Combine the apricot jam, vinegar, sugar, bay leaves, garlic, salt, pepper and curry powder in a bowl and add the onion rings.  Place the meat cubes in this mixture and marinate for 24 hours in a cool place, turning 2 to 3 times.  Soak the apricots in a little water until plump.  Remove the meat from the marinade and thread on the skewers alternately with the mutton fat, apricots and onion.  Grill the sosaties, turning several times.  Place the marinade in a saucepan and heat to almost boiling.  Serve the sosaties and sauce separately, with crumbly mealie pap, baked potatoes or freshly baked bread and butter as accompaniments.

Note:

The sosaties meat may be frozen raw in the marinade for 1 month.  To prepare after freezing, thaw, remove the meat from the marinade and thread on the skewers alternately with the mutton fat, apricots and onion.


MOUSSAKA

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 680; prep time 30 min; cooking time 30 min)

Ingredients:

500g cooked lamb, minced

1 large aubergine, thickly sliced

1 small onion, finely chopped

250g mushrooms, thinly sliced

250g tomatoes, thickly sliced

1 egg yolk

37½ml (3 tablespoons) butter or margarine

125ml (½ cup) Cheddar cheese, grated

1 small can tomato purée

1 clove garlic, crushed

300ml think Béchamel sauce

5ml (1 teaspoon) dried mixed herbs

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Heat 12½ml ( 1 tablespoon) of the butter or margarine in a large frying pan and sauté the onion in it until transparent.  Add the meat and sauté for a few minutes, shaking the pan now and then, then set aside.  Season with salt and pepper then stir in the tomato purée.   Turn into a heated casserole and keep warm.  Heat the remaining butter or margarine in a frying pan and sauté the aubergine slices for 5 to 7 minutes.  Arrange on top of the meat in the casserole.  Place the tomatoes and mushrooms on top and sprinkle with the garlic and mixed herbs.  Prepare the Béchamel sauce, then beat the egg yolk into it and pour the mixture over the contents of the casserole.  Sprinkle grated cheese over the sauce and bake in the oven at 200°C (400°F) until well browned, about 30 minutes.  Serve immediately.


MUTTON BOBOTIE

(Serves 8; kJ per portion 1 210; prep time 30 min; cooking time 50 min)

Ingredients:

1kg minced mutton

1 medium onion, finely chopped

125ml (½ cup) seedless raisins (optional)

125ml (½ cup) blanched almonds (optional)

12½ml (1 tablespoon) apricot jam

12½ml (1 tablespoon) fruit chutney

1 slice white bread

10ml (2 teaspoons) butter or oil

3 eggs

250ml milk

25ml lemon juice

10ml (2 teaspoons) curry powder

5ml (1 teaspoon) turmeric

2 lemon or bay leaves

10ml (2 teaspoons) salt

Method:

Soak the bread in 125ml milk, squeeze to remove the milk and mix the bread with the minced beef.  Mix in all the other ingredients, except the butter or oil, eggs, milk and leaves.  Melt the butter or heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the meat mixture lightly in it.  Turn out into a casserole.  Beat the eggs and the rest of the milk together and pour over the meat.  Garnish with the leaves.  Bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until set, about 50 minutes.

Note:

Bobotie freezes very well.  To serve, thaw and heat through.


VENISON


COUNTRY GRILLED VENISON CHOPS

(Serves 6; kJ per portion 1 200; prep time 20 min + marinating time;

cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

6 venison chops

50ml oil

15ml lemon juice

80ml medium cream sherry

125ml (½ cup) quince jelly or cranberry jelly

1 clove garlic, crushed

2ml (½ teaspoon) dried thyme

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Combine the garlic, thyme, oil and lemon juice in a bowl and marinate the chops for 2 hours.  Now season the chops with salt and pepper and grill over hot coals or under the griller until done, approximately 15 minutes.  Sprinkle the chops with sherry just before they are ready and serve immediately with quince or cranberry jelly.


KRUGER PARK STEW

Ingredients:

1 tin Buffalo meat (obtainable in the Kruger National Park)

1 tin green beans or carrots of baked beans

4 potatoes, diced

2 large onions, chopped

½ cup rice

Garlic flakes

Mixed herbs

Method:

Brown the onions in a little oil in a potjie pot on the fire.  Add the Buffalo meat, green beans, potatoes half a tin of water, salt and herbs to taste.  Once boiling, add the rice and cover.  If required, thicken with gravy powder.  Serve once the rice is cooked.


POT ROAST LEG OF VENISON

(Serves 6-8; kJ per portion 1 100; prep time 30 min + marinating;

cooking time 2-3 hours)

Ingredients:

1 leg of venison, 2-2½kg

250g lardons (strips of spek)

1 onion, thinly sliced

25ml (2 tablespoons) flour

25ml (2 tablespoons) fat or oil

25ml (2 tablespoons) brown sugar

100g seedless raisins

500ml vinegar

250ml dry red wine

50ml medium sherry (optional)

50ml (4 tablespoons) apricot jam

2 cloves garlic, cut into thin slivers

2ml (½ teaspoon) ground ginger

1 bay leaf

6 cloves

25ml (2 tablespoons) salt

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Marinate the lardoons for 45 minutes in a mixture of 125ml of the vinegar, 5ml (1 teaspoon) of the salt and 5ml (1 teaspoon) of the sugar.  With a sharp-pointed knife, pierce holes in the leg of venison and stuff each incision with a raisin, a sliver of garlic and a marinated lardon.  Rub the rest of the salt and sugar, and the pepper and ground ginger into the meat.  Place the meat in an earthenware or glass container together with the onion slices, bay leaf and the rest of the vinegar and red wine.  Marinate for 2 to 3 days, turning the venison twice daily.  Then heat the fat or oil in a heavy saucepan and brown the meat.  Add the cloves and 250ml water and simmer until tender, 2 to 3 hours.  Make a paste with the flour, apricot jam and sherry (if desired) and baste the meat with it.  Roast for a further 5 minutes.  Serve with stewed dried fruit, quinces or apples.


SADDLE OF VENISON WITH APRICOTS

(Serves 8-10; kJ per portion 1 200; prep time 20 min; cooking time 40-60 min)

Ingredients:

3kg saddle of venison, about 60cm in length

200g streaky bacon, rind removed

37½ml (3 tablespoons) apricot jam

25ml fruit chutney

500g canned apricot halves

37½ ml (3 tablespoons) medium sherry

2 to 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

5ml (1 teaspoon) mixed dried herbs

10ml (2 teaspoons) salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Make slits in the saddle using a sharp knife, and stuff the incisions with slivers of garlic.  Season with the salt, pepper and herbs, then cut the saddle loose from the backbone, leaving the meat attached to the ribs.  In a bowl combine the apricot jam, chutney and sherry and rub the mixture into the meat.  Place bacon rashers over the saddle and bake, uncovered, in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 40 to 60 minutes.  Serve with canned apricot halves. 

Note:

Wrap still frozen meat in foil and heat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 20 minutes.  Open foil for the last 5 minutes to brown the meat.


VENISON STEAKS IN CREAM

(Serves 8; kJ per portion 1 500; prep time 15 min; cooking time 20 min)

Ingredients:

8 young, tender venison steaks

3 medium onions, finely chopped

200g mushrooms, finely chopped

50ml (4 tablespoons) butter

10ml lemon juice

5ml Worcester sauce

100ml dry red wine

250ml single cream

250ml sour cream

25ml (2 tablespoons) parsley, finely chopped

10ml (2 teaspoons) salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Melt the butter in the grilling pan and grill the steaks to taste.  Remove from the pan and keep warm.  Add the onions and mushrooms to the pan and sauté until the onion is transparent.  Add the wine, lemon juice, Worcester sauce, salt, pepper and meat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in the single cream, sour cream and parsley.  Heat to just below boiling point.  Serve immediately.


VENISON STEW

(Serves 4; kJ per portion 1 300; prep time 30 min; cooking time 2½ hours)

Ingredients:

750g venison, cubed

8 carrots, thinly sliced

120g mushrooms, thickly sliced

75g fat or lard

100ml (2/5 cup) flour

12½ml Worcester sauce

600ml stout

2ml (½ teaspoon) dried mixed herbs

5ml (1 teaspoon) salt

2ml (½ teaspoon) pepper

Method:

Marinate the venison in half the stout for 1 to 2 hours.  Melt the fat or lard in a large frying pan, stir in the flour and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring all the time.  Blend in the rest of the stout, bring to the boil and continue boiling stirring until the mixture thickens.  Add the meat, marinating liquid, herbs, carrots, Worcester sauce, salt and pepper, and mix well.  Pour the mixture into a deep casserole and bake, covered, in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 2 hours.  Stir in the mushrooms and bake, covered, for a further 25 minutes.  Serve hot.

Note:

This stew can be prepared on top of the stove as well.  Follow the recipe up to the oven instructions.  Simmer in the frying pan for 1½ hours, then stir in the mushrooms and simmer for a further 20 minutes.

To serve after freezing, thaw the stew and then heat, covered, either in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 30 minutes or on top of the stove for 15 minutes.