Beef Paprika

Ingredients

·         600 g boneless sirloin steak, trimmed of the fat and cut into four pieces

·         ¼ tsp. salt

·         Ground black pepper to taste

·         2½ tbsp. paprika

·         2 tbsp. plain flour

·         1 tbsp. safflower oil

·         1 onion cut into 2.5 cm cubes

·         1 green pepper, cut into 2.5 cm squares

·         1 garlic clove, finely chopped

·         350 ml chicken stock

·         8 big mushrooms cut in halves

Preparation

1. Season the beef pieces with salt and some of the pepper. Combine 2 tablespoons of the paprika and flour on a plate. Dredge the pieces of beef in this mixture, ensuring that each one is coated evenly. Reserve the remaining flour-paprika mixture.

2. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sear the meat in the pan, then transfer it to a small bowl and set it aside.

3. Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel; heat the remaining of the oil in it. Add the onion, green pepper and garlic, and saute them, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add the remaining flour-paprika mixture, then whisk in the stock.

4. Add the meat and bring the stock to a simmer. Cover the pan and simmer the beef and vegetables for 1¼ hours. Stir in the mushrooms and the remaining ½ tsp. of paprika; cook the mixture, covered, for 15 minutes longer.

Serve the beef surrounded by the vegetables and covered with the sauce.

Makes 4 servings.

Curry Lamb Potjie Recipe

Let me kick off this fantastic new blog with a traditional dish, potjiekos!

Ingredients

• 30 ml cooking oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1.5 kg lamb stew, cut into pieces
• 3 medium onions, chopped
• 250 ml water
• 500 g whole baby carrots, peeled
• 500 g potatoes, peeled and cut into halves
• 500 g patty pans, whole
• 10 dried cling peaches
• 20 ml brown sugar
• 10 ml mild curry powder
• 5 ml turmeric
• 125 ml milk

Preparation

1. Heat the oil in the pot. Season the meat with salt and pepper and brown a few pieces at a time. Remove and set aside. Fry the onions until tender. Return the meat to the pot. Cover the meat with water, replace lid and simmer for 1 hour.

2. Add the peaches, carrots and potatoes and simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Add patty pans and simmer for another 15 minutes

3. Mix the sugar, curry powder and turmeric with the milk and add. Simmer for another 15 minutes and gently stir through once. Add more water if the potjie becomes too dry and simmer for another 15 minutes.

Enjoy with rice.

And don't forget a nice wine!

Nigel