So, who won the annual potjiekos* competition at The Dunes** this year? It took place only last Sunday, and though winning seemed important at the time, I really cannot remember.
*Literally “small pot food”, potjiekos, or simply potjie – pronounced “poiki” – is quintessentially South African. The traditional potjie itself is a three-legged, black cast-iron pot that comes in a variety of sizes.
Anything that can be stewed can be potjie-ed, from oxtail in red wine, to curries, lamb shanks, seafood casseroles or whatever takes your fancy. Importantly, it’s cooked very slowly, outdoors, and preferably over a coal fire.
**“The Dunes” is where our dear friends Jeff Fobb and Marion live, happily less than a kilometre from our flat in Umhlanga, South Africa. It’s close enough to walk home from, and, considering the amount of wine we tend to get through, that’s a jolly good thing.
Eight simmering potjies were on the go around The Dunes swimming pool last Sunday – two of them Jeff’s, each presided over by its owner-chef, surrounded by advisers, family and friends. By the time the hour of judgment arrived, the booze had been flowing for at least four hours; but that’s par for the course here – even for a humble braai.
Somewhat arbitrarily – they were 20-year-old Americans who’d never heard of oxtail or even eaten lamb – two members of the band that had been playing for us poolside were asked to judge the potjies and declare a winner. (Friends of the competition organiser, Dudley, these boys are in town for the annual Splashy Fen music festival, taking place this Easter weekend.) They did a good job, though – both with the music and with the judging – and certainly got through their fair share of succulent potjie.
Potjie aficionados take their art seriously and guard their recipes jealously. Jeff said he could give me the recipes for his two outstanding entries – chicken with pasta, and lamb knuckles with Mediterranean veggies – but then he’d have to kill me.
Harsh, but fair.
Flashback to 2005
To beard or not to beard that is the question, whether he looks too young without or too nautical with? It is a tickly question and there is your answer?!