Next week we will celebrate Lag B'Omer, and it's true that lately the tradition of lighting bonfires is disappearing a bit - and there are good and important reasons for that - but as a kid I really liked the experience of collecting the trees, the bonfire itself and especially the friends meeting which lasted until late.
Lag B'Omer is a holiday of cooperation - gathering wood, preparing food, lighting a fire and especially together around the fire. Therefore, if we have already decided to light a fire and make time to spend outside with family and friends, it is worth taking advantage of it.
To pass the time pleasantly, there is nothing like a poika that cooks slowly on the fire.
But wait, what is Poika anyway?
This is a pot made of cast iron, which comes in different sizes and distributes the heat evenly throughout the dish.
Poika is fun and easy to cook in outdoor conditions, outdoors and in the pleasant heat of the fire.
The fun and great advantage of Poika is that it is not really complicated to operate and there is no need to deal with food in advance.
Just put everything in the pot and wait for it to be ready.
This is a simple meal in one pot, and you can be creative in combinations or improvise from what is there.
In short, make guitars and take advantage of Lag B'Omer for a fun campfire, with good dishes and pleasant company.
Vegetarian poika stew
Simple and delicious.
Vegetarian poika stew, Photo: Assaf Carla
Materials:
4 white potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
2 onions cut into quarters
1 white cabbage cut into quarters
1 small purple cabbage cut into quarters
1/2 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Water to cover
Mix all the stew ingredients inside the poke, except the water.
Place the poika on the campfire trees at the stage where they have become charcoal - you can simply move some trees from the main fire and place the poika on them - and cook lightly.
Add the water to the height of the vegetables, cover the pot and cook for about an hour, until the vegetables are soft but not falling apart.
It is important to check the vegetables occasionally and see if any liquids need to be added.
Poika stew with chicken shanks, eggplant and horseradish peppers
Chicken Simchas.
Poika stew with shanks, eggplant and horseradish peppers, Photo: Assaf Carla
Materials:
12 chicken shanks
2 eggplants cut into large cubes
4 coarsely chopped horseradish peppers
3 whole garlic heads
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon turmeric
Here, too, mix all the ingredients in the pot, except the water.
Place the poika on the trees at the stage when they have turned into coals, cook lightly, add the water to the height of the vegetables, cover the pot and cook until the vegetables and chicken are tender.
It is important to check occasionally and see if fluids need to be added.
Burnt vegetables on the fire
Not just a potato.
Burnt vegetables on the fire, Photo: Assaf Carla
Materials:
4 potatoes
4 peeled kohlrabi
4 peeled beets
2 coarsely chopped sweet potatoes
salt and pepper
To serve:
Chopped coriander
A little olive oil
Season the vegetables with salt and pepper, wrap in foil and place on the fire when the coals are already whispering and there is no fire too strong (here too, you can move coals aside from the main fire).
After about half an hour, when the vegetables are soft and ready, remove from the coals and remove the foil.
Before eating it is recommended to sprinkle over chopped coriander and olive oil.
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