Potjiekos

 Potjiekos is a traditional South African dish cooked in a cast-iron pot over an open flame. It typically includes meat, vegetables, and various spices. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients: - 500g stewing beef, cubed - 2 onions, chopped - 3-4 carrots, sliced - 2-3 potatoes, peeled and cubed - 2 cloves of garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons butter - 2 tablespoons cake flour (optional, for thickening) - 2 cups beef stock - 1 cup red wine (optional, can be substituted with more stock) - 2 bay leaves - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh herbs (such as thyme or rosemary) for garnish

Instructions: 1. Heat the oil and butter in a cast-iron pot (or any heavy-bottomed pot) over medium heat. 2. Sear the beef cubes until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside. 3. In the same pot, add the onions and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent. 4. Add carrots and potatoes, stirring for a few minutes. 5. Return the seared beef to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. 6. If using flour, sprinkle it over the ingredients in the pot and mix well. 7. Slowly pour in the beef stock and red wine. Stir to combine. 8. Add the bay leaves and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. 9. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally and add more stock if needed. 10. Taste and adjust the seasoning if required. 11. Once the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through, remove from heat. 12. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs, accompanied by rice or freshly baked bread.

Remember that potjiekos is a versatile dish, and you can customize it by adding other vegetables or spices according to your taste. Enjoy your potjiekos!