Cheesy Smoked Beef & Mushroom Potjiekos
- Prep: 30 minutes, Cook Time: 3-3.5 hours
- 6 people
- Easy
YOUR HERITAGE DAY SHOPPING LIST
Your official Ladismith Long-Weekend Braai Checklist:
Whether you are hosting a family gathering or just relaxing on the patio, the last thing you want is to fire up the coals only to realise you forgot the most critical ingredient… Ladismith Cheese!
The Ultimate Long-Weekend Grocery Checklist
- The Proteins: Boerewors, marinated steaks, chicken flatties, or juicy lamb chops.
- The Braaibroodjie Essentials: Fresh white bread, sweet onions, tomatoes, and chutney.
- The Melt Master: At least two blocks of Ladismith Cheddar or Gouda (remember: a truly great braaibroodjie requires a generous hand!).
- The Pizza/Pasta Backup: A block of Ladismith Mozzarella for the kids’ Sunday night pizza cravings.
- The Secret Weapon: A brick of rich, creamy Ladismith Butter to slather over your hot potbrood or sweetcorn on the braai grid.
- The Fuel: Premium hardwood, charcoal, firelighters, and plenty of ice for the cooler box
- Ready for the weekend grocery run?
Ingredients
The Base & Beef
- 1.5 kg beef chuck or brisket, cubed
- 2 tbsp of oil for cooking
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 250 g Thick-cut bacon, diced
The Veg & Mushrooms
- 500g mushrooms, sliced
- 4 medium potatoes, cubed
- 3 carrots, sliced into thick rounds
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
The Sauce & Cheese
- 250ml semi-sweet red wine
- 250ml strong beef stock
- 1 packet (50g) white onion or mushroom soup powder
- 250ml fresh cream
- 2 cups Ladismith Cheddar or Gouda, grated
Method
- Sear the Beef & Build the Base
Get your coals nice and hot under the potjie. Add the oil. Fry the onions until the onions are golden and translucent. Add the garlic and fry for another minute.
Remove the onions and bacon from the pot and set aside. Add the beef chunks in batches, browning them all over to seal in the juices. - Deglaze and Simmer
Return the onions and bacon to the pot. Pour in the red wine and beef stock, scraping any caramelized bits off the bottom of the pot. Toss in the rosemary and thyme. Put the lid on, adjust your coals to a gentle, low simmer, and walk away for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is meltingly tender. - Layer the Vegetables
Once the meat is tender, it’s time to layer. Do not stir! Pack the carrots and potatoes directly on top of the meat. Top the vegetable layer with your fresh sliced mushrooms. Replace the lid and let it steam over medium-low coals for 35–40 minutes until the potatoes are soft. - The Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Mix the soup powder into the fresh cream until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the mushroom layer. Tightly close the lid and let it bubble for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce into a rich gravy. - Make it Cheesy
Open the lid and gently give the potjie its very first complete stir to combine the tender meat, vegetables, and creamy sauce. Scatter the Ladismith Cheddar or Gouda heavily across the entire top. Close the lid, place 2 or 3 small, hot coals directly onto the flat lid of your potjie, and let it bake for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling, gooey, and infused with woodsmoke.Remove from the fire and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving alongside white rice.
YOUR HERITAGE DAY SHOPPING LIST
Your official Ladismith Long-Weekend Braai Checklist:
Whether you are hosting a family gathering or just relaxing on the patio, the last thing you want is to fire up the coals only to realise you forgot the most critical ingredient… Ladismith Cheese!
The Ultimate Long-Weekend Grocery Checklist
- The Proteins: Boerewors, marinated steaks, chicken flatties, or juicy lamb chops.
- The Braaibroodjie Essentials: Fresh white bread, sweet onions, tomatoes, and chutney.
- The Melt Master: At least two blocks of Ladismith Cheddar or Gouda (remember: a truly great braaibroodjie requires a generous hand!).
- The Pizza/Pasta Backup: A block of Ladismith Mozzarella for the kids’ Sunday night pizza cravings.
- The Secret Weapon: A brick of rich, creamy Ladismith Butter to slather over your hot potbrood or sweetcorn on the braai grid.
- The Fuel: Premium hardwood, charcoal, firelighters, and plenty of ice for the cooler box
- Ready for the weekend grocery run?