One way to save some serious money is to eat more meals at home.  This is why I have decided to start posting potjiekos recipes on the site.  Cooking potjiekos at home allows us to cut down on eating out and is a social activity perfect for a gathering with family and friends.  For those of you not familiar with potjiekos, translated into English, potjiekos means "small pot food".  Potjiekos is a stew prepared outdoors in a round cast iron pot called a potjie.  The potjie was brought from the Netherlands down to South Africa in the 17th century and has become part of South African culture.  For more information on potjiekos, this site has some great information - http://www.taste-africa.com/product_potjie.php 
 
Below are the ingredients of my first potjiekos.  It is my take on chicken Diablo and I have converted the recipe for cooking in a potjie.   
 
1 red onion diced 
 
1-2 jalapenos sliced 
 
2 cloves garlic diced 
 
2 lbs chicken breasts cubed 
 
4 - 6 carrots pealed and cut into 1 - 2 inch chunks 
 
Crushed Tomatoes with Basil, 28oz can 
 
1 bunch oregano 
 
2 beers ( I used Dales Pale Ale) 
 
1 tbsp paprika 
 
1 tbsp cardamom 
 
1 tbsp cumin 
 
1 tbsp cinnamon 
 
1 - 2 tbsp grape seed oil, or a cooking oil of your choice like canola.  I like grapseed oil for its high smoking point and light flavor.
 
 
 
Cut the chicken into cubes 
 
Heat the cooking oil in a Potjie and brown the meat. 

   
 
Remove the meat from the potjie. 
 
Add the red onion, jalapenos, and garlic and cook until it is translucent. 

   
 
Add the spices and cook for another minute. 
 
Deglaze the potjie with the two beers, use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot. 

   
 
Add the crushed tomatoes into the potjie. 
 
Put the browned chicken back into the pot. 
 
Add the potatoes and carrots to the pot. 

Add the oregano and put the top onto the potjie. 

   
 
Cook the potjie slowly moving coals towards and away from the potjie to keep the cooking at a slow simmer.  Cook for 40 minutes.   

   
 
Once done serve over rice 
 
  
For potjiekos, a cooking time of 40 minutes is considered very fast so this is a good beginner potjiekos recipe.  Hope you enjoy!