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  1. #1
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    Default Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    I used to have this made by my mother in law's brother (Oom Jannie , who used to be the head master in a school in Sutherland. He could do magic with lamb and mutton), and it was fantastic. No matter what I did, I could not re-create it the way his tasted.

    I am of the opinion that it is because he used mutton and not lamb, although it was not always the same cut of meat he used for the bredie.

    Unfortunately he passed away during Covid.

    This week, as a remembrance to him, I want to have another go at this truly fantastic dish.

    Do you think it was because of the use of mutton, and not lamb?

    Help me, by telling what your secrets are when making this dish?

    And maybe I can pick up where I am missing the one or two things that make it great.
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Use mutton neck chops cut in quarters to start off with.
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  4. #3
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Yes, I think you are more likely to have success with neck. And using hogget instead of lamb definitely has a different taste. It might of course, also have been the diet the Sutherland skapies were on. That you won't be able to recreate unless you go buy your meat there.

    The attitude towards fat was also different in those days. Experiment with that aspect too.

    En genoeg uie. Even if they dissolve completely they add their disctinct layer of flavour.

    Can you remember how he used to cut his beans? Try using the same as he did.

    (For a bit of lateral thinking, get some ideas from waterblommetjie bredie recipes. Those might also point you in the right direction.)
    Aristotle wrote; ''Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Choice, not chance, determines your destiny''

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    He never used neck though, not once did he make it for me with neck.

    His favorite cut for the bredie was ribbetjie or shoulder chops
    Last edited by Hedgehog; 2022/11/21 at 10:05 AM.
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    My mother is a champion boontjie bredie cook. And yes, always rib. You cannot make boontjie bredie without plenty fat. And a little bit of vinegar as well. And time. Be patient. Slow and steady. Oh yes the beans are shredded (gekerf)
    Last edited by Francois Theron; 2022/11/21 at 10:09 AM.
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  9. #6
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by Hedgehog View Post
    He never used neck though, not once did he make it for me with neck.

    His favorite cut for the bredie was ribbetjie or shoulder chops
    I also use rib. But you are looking for that mutton taste. And that you are more likely to get from neck. You can always go back to rib once you have found the rest of the elements.
    Aristotle wrote; ''Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Choice, not chance, determines your destiny''

  10. #7
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by Hedgehog View Post

    ...

    This week, as a remembrance to him, I want to have another go at this truly fantastic dish.

    Do you think it was because of the use of mutton, and not lamb?

    Help me, by telling what your secrets are when making this dish?

    And maybe I can pick up where I am missing the one or two things that make it great.
    Nice way to remember him. Do you know if he used nutmeg?

    It is a very nice addition to this type of dish, and you don't need very much, about a 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon should do nicely.

    I like to grate mine fresh and dry roast it a bit in a cast iron pan before use.

    Another very nice addition to this type of bredie is a good dash of red grape vinegar and a fair bit of (fresh) lemon juice.

    This was the last waterblommetjie bredie I made (it was the best I've done so far I think), except without the sorrel (couldn't find) and cloves, and a bit of vinegar added:

    https://michaelolivier.co.za/archive...-dine-van-zyl/

    This is also one of my go to recipes (more traditional bredie):
    https://esmesalon.com/waterblommetjie-bredie/

    Personally, I agree with Emmie, the diet of the sheep in the Karoo defintely lends to the taste, and twee-tand is also better than lamb, just needs low and slow, preferably in cast iron.
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  12. #8
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by CraigWatt View Post
    Nice way to remember him. Do you know if he used nutmeg?

    It is a very nice addition to this type of dish, and you don't need very much, about a 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon should do nicely.

    I like to grate mine fresh and dry roast it a bit in a cast iron pan before use.

    Another very nice addition to this type of bredie is a good dash of red grape vinegar and a fair bit of (fresh) lemon juice.

    This was the last waterblommetjie bredie I made (it was the best I've done so far I think), except without the sorrel (couldn't find) and cloves, and a bit of vinegar added:

    https://michaelolivier.co.za/archive...-dine-van-zyl/

    This is also one of my go to recipes (more traditional bredie):
    https://esmesalon.com/waterblommetjie-bredie/

    Personally, I agree with Emmie, the diet of the sheep in the Karoo defintely lends to the taste, and twee-tand is also better than lamb, just needs low and slow, preferably in cast iron.
    I think you are on to something about the nutmeg and then the vinegar.

    Will try it

    Going to get some riblets today
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  14. #9
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    I've not done a green bean bredie yet, but I have looked into it in the past as they can apparently substitute waterblommetjies out of season as Emmie says. These are the recipes I have collected so far which may or may not be worth the read:

    https://www.melkkos-merlot.co.za/green-bean-bredie/
    https://tastyrecipes.sapeople.com/green-bean-bredie/
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  16. #10
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Tweetand skaap rib vir die beste "flavour" Moenie lam gebruik nie.

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  18. #11
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Brown vinegar not white. It is a lot tastier in a bredie. I use surings in my waterblommetjies, but that is not available now.

    As Emmie said at least 4 medium onions to 1 kg of boontjies.

    Beans must not be cut too small. 1cm cuts at the smallest. Do not rush it.

    Once you have browned the onions and sealed the meat go for a slow simmer.

    In the heydays there were no potjiekos spice, but nowadays I use it in all my bredies.

    I also taste and adjust as the pot progresses.
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  20. #12
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by Francois Theron View Post
    My mother is a champion boontjie bredie cook. And yes, always rib. You cannot make boontjie bredie without plenty fat. And a little bit of vinegar as well. And time. Be patient. Slow and steady. Oh yes the beans are shredded (gekerf)
    I agree Francois. The tradition was to kerf it.

    Thank heavens we do not have to "nerf" it any more like with the older bean cultivars. We also do not use garlic, but to each his own.
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by BarnieH View Post
    ... surings ...
    Yes, in the sorrel family. Couldn't find it anywhere, even in the nursery.
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by CraigWatt View Post
    Yes, in the sorrel family. Couldn't find it anywhere, even in the nursery.
    Slightly OT, but Craig you will only find it during spring in the veld,
    during the time that you will find waterblommetjies in the "vleie".

    You are in Melkbos. During springtime drive on the backroads towards Darling and you will find it next to the road.

    I have plenty in my garden, but alas, spring has sprung.
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    Thumbs up Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by BarnieH View Post
    Slightly OT, but Craig you will only find it during spring in the veld,
    during the time that you will find waterblommetjies in the "vleie".

    You are in Melkbos. During springtime drive on the backroads towards Darling and you will find it next to the road.

    I have plenty in my garden, but alas, spring has sprung.
    Thanks very much. Really appreciated.

    Edit:

    For those who are interested (and probably why it cannot be found in a nursery): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis_pes-caprae
    Last edited by CraigWatt; 2022/11/21 at 02:43 PM.
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  26. #16
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by CraigWatt View Post
    Yes, in the sorrel family. Couldn't find it anywhere, even in the nursery.
    I removed hundreds this weekend from my flower beds. Do you want me to post you the bulbs so you create your own weed patch for next season?
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  28. #17
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    I had boontjie bredie yesterday, there was a whole range of lamb cuts in the dish, including rib. Lots of pepper and I also added a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon when it was on the plate.

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  30. #18
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Got waterblommetjies yesterday which have just gone into soak in salt water, more arriving tomorrow which will be frozen after soak and clean. They freeze well.

    Sjoe they've gotten stupid expensive, and was getting worried I couldn't find any this year, but can't go a season without at least three #3 potjie pots worth.
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  31. #19
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Interesting. You don't blanch them first?
    Aristotle wrote; ''Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Choice, not chance, determines your destiny''

  32. #20
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    Default Re: Boontjie Bredie (Greanbean Stew)

    Quote Originally Posted by CraigWatt View Post
    Got waterblommetjies yesterday which have just gone into soak in salt water, more arriving tomorrow which will be frozen after soak and clean. They freeze well.

    Sjoe they've gotten stupid expensive, and was getting worried I couldn't find any this year, but can't go a season without at least three #3 potjie pots worth.
    There should be plenty sorrel around now.
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