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Bosanski lonac

Layered meat and vegetable pot

Bosnian pot: slow-cooked layered meat and vegetables

Bosanski lonac goes back to Bosnian village hearths, where a tall clay pot was layered with meat and vegetables and left in the embers for hours; in Sarajevo and Mostar it is still cooked for name-day gatherings and cold winter weekends. This home version layers chunks of beef, lamb and pork with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and peppers, then cooks it slowly in a covered pot with only a little water, so everything stews in its own juices. This recipe contains pork; use all beef and lamb if you prefer. The mistake people make is stirring it: the layers should stay intact and steam gently. Chef's tip: put the meat and onions at the bottom and the watery vegetables like tomatoes at the top, so the juices drip down through everything.
Total time
215 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
6
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Ingredients

Serves6

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Fresh ingredients (9)

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Toss 14 oz beef chuck, 10 ½ oz boneless lamb shoulder and 10 ½ oz pork shoulder with 2 tsp sweet paprika and half the salt (1 ¼ tsp salt).

  2. Step 2: In a large heavy casserole, make a layer of half of 2 onions, then all the meat, then 6 garlic cloves, 1 tsp black peppercorns and 3 bay leaves.

  3. Step 3: Add layers of 3 carrots, 1 ⅓ lb potatoes, 14 oz white cabbage and 2 green peppers, sprinkling each with some of the rest of 1 ¼ tsp salt. Finish with 3 tomatoes and the remaining onions.

  4. Step 4: Pour 1 ¾ cups water down the side. Cover with a tight lid (or foil under the lid). Bring to a simmer over a medium heat, about 10 minutes.

    10 min
  5. Step 5: Heat the oven to 325°F (275°F fan) and cook the pot for 2½–3 hours without stirring, until the meat breaks apart with a spoon and the potatoes are soft. Pork and lamb should be well above 160°F and very tender.

    170 min
  6. Step 6: Rest for 10 minutes, scatter 3 tbsp fresh parsley over and serve in deep bowls with crusty bread. It reheats well: cool within 2 hours, refrigerate up to 3 days and reheat until piping hot.

    10 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
480 kcal
Protein
40 g
Carbs
28 g
Fat
22 g
Fibre
6 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does bosanski lonac take?
About 215 minutes in total: 35 minutes to prepare and 180 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
What can I use instead of onions?
2 shallots per onion.
What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.

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