A traditional Maori earth oven cooking method, hangi is a New Zealand ceremonial technique reserved for important community gatherings and celebrations.
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Hangi
Traditional New Zealand Maori hangi, earth oven cooking, authentic step by step recipe.
- New Zealand
- MAIN COURSES
- High protein
- medium-high
40 min
Tiempo de Preparación
10
Servings
Nutrición por ración
- Calories 460 kcal
- Protein 30 g
- Carbohydrates 42 g
- Fat 20 g
Story behind the dish
Preparation
Hangi is a New Zealand preparation with high difficulty. Reserve about 280 minutes in total (40 for mise en place and preparation, 240 for cooking). Follow the 6 phases in order: each step indicates what to do, what to observe and, when applicable, the time or level of fire.
Before you start
- Have ready: 2 kg of lamb or pork.
- Have ready: 1 kg sweet potato (kumara).
- Have ready: 1 kg of pumpkin.
- Have ready: 1 kg of potato.
- Have ready: Volcanic stones suitable for heat.
- Salt, oil and spices measured and within reach.
- Clean utensils, board and clear work surface.
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Heat volcanic stones in a wood fire for 2-3 hours…
Heat volcanic stones in a wood fire for 2-3 hours until red hot. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Dig a deep hole and place the hot stones in the bottom
Dig a deep hole and place the hot stones in the bottom. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Place the baskets with the meat on top of the stones
Place the baskets with the meat on top of the stones. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Add the vegetables in another layer of baskets on top of the meat
Add the vegetables in another layer of baskets on top of the meat. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Cover everything with damp cloths and dirt
Cover everything with damp cloths and soil, sealing well to trap steam. Keep the steam constant; If the water in the base evaporates, add more heat without wetting the food. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference. Keep the steam constant; If the water in the base evaporates, add more heat without wetting the food. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference.
Keep the steam constant; If the water in the base evaporates, add more heat without wetting the food.
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Let it cook for 3-4 hours underground without uncovering.
Let it cook for 3-4 hours underground without uncovering, until the meat is very tender and the vegetables are cooked. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. In demanding recipes, do not improvise times: precision makes the difference.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
Chef's tips
- Airtight sealing is critical: any steam leak significantly lengthens cooking time.
- In the domestic version, an oven at a low temperature with the ingredients well wrapped and some liquid partially simulates the result.
Variations
- Hangi with only vegetables (vegetarian version).
- Faster version in a conventional oven wrapped in aluminum foil.
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