Stewed turkey, often known as turkey potjiekos is a traditional South African dish that involves slow-cooking turkey with various vegetables and spices. Making the perfect stewed turkey requires attention to detail and a bit of patience, allowing one to spend leisurely time in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg turkey pieces, skinned and diced

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 onions, chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced

• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 4-5 tomatoes, chopped

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 2 teaspoons curry powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 2 bay leaves

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped

Method

1. Heat a cast iron pot over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil until it shimmers.

2. Add the turkey pieces in batches and sear them on all sides before setting aside.

3. Add the chopped onions to the same pot and sauté until translucent, for about 5 minutes. Follow this up with the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Return the browned turkey pieces to the pot, along with the vegetables, tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine.

5. Add the spice powders, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to taste before covering the pot with a lid and reducing the heat to a low.

6. Simmer gently for about 1.5 hours or until the turkey is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Check halfway and add a little more broth if needed, to maintain the desired consistency.

7. Once cooked, extract the bay leaves and serve it hot garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Pair it with rice or crusty bread to soak up the glossy sauce.