Lamb potjie pleads for Drostdy-Hof Pinotage

Tuesday, 9 July, 2013
De Kock Communications
Here's a crowd-pleasing lamb potjie that literally begs for a glass of Drostdy-Hof Pinotage.
The wine's lovely, lively, ripe red fruit notes are lifted by a touch of oak. Smooth and generous in the mouth, it has all the flavour to complement the rich and hearty dish that's made even tastier by adding cumin and coriander. 

Lamb potjie with Drostdy-Hof Pinotage

Ingredients 
  • 2kg lamb knuckle pieces 
  • 125ml flour 
  • 5ml salt 
  • 5ml ground cumin 
  • 5ml ground coriander 
  • 30ml olive oil
  • 2 onions, chopped roughly 
  • 4-5 small sticks of celery, chopped roughly 
  • 2 leeks, washed and chopped roughly
  • 30ml butter 
  • 500ml chicken stock 
  • 250ml Drostdy-Hof Pinotage 
  • Bouquet garni (a small bunch of fresh thyme and 2 bay leaves tied together with kitchen string) 
  • 250g green beans, topped and tailed 
  • 250g baby carrots 
  • 250g baby potatoes 
Method 
  1. Prepare a fire as usual, ensuring you have enough coals to cook a potjie for around two hours. Season the flour with the salt and spices and dust the pieces of lamb knuckle with it. Make sure the meat is covered and shake off any excess flour.
  2. In a medium sized, cast iron potjie heat the olive oil and fry the lamb until golden brown on all sides. Remove and keep aside until needed. Add the onions, celery and leeks to the potjie and fry in the olive oil and butter. Return the meat to the potjie and add the stock, Drostdy-Hof Pinotage and bouquet garni. Close with a tight fitting lid. Cook over the fire for about 1 hour until the sauce is thick and the meat starts to soften but not fall from the bone. 
  3. Add the baby potatoes, season with a little salt and cook covered for another ½ hour. Do not stir. Add the baby carrots and cook for another 15 minutes before adding the green beans. Season with a little salt and close the lid. Cook the potjie for another 10 minutes. 
  4. Remove from the heat and stir through gently using a big metal spoon. Check for seasoning and serve with basmati rice or couscous. 
Serves 6 to 8. 

A 750ml bottle of Drostdy-Hof Winemaker’s Collection Pinotage retails for around R35 a bottle and is available from leading stores nationwide.