Denningvleis is a dish that definitely showcases just how delicious South African cuisine is. Some people say that this dish has become a bit forgotten, so now it’s high time to bring it back! Denningvleis is a South African lamb stew with a mixed spice marinade from Cape Malay influence. Its taste bounces between sweet and sour as a result of the tamarind used. Nowadays, people use vinegar or lemon juice instead. However, back in the day denningvleis was used for medicinal purposes to increase acidity levels in the body.
Traditionally, you’ll find it in South African homes on very special occasions and family celebrations. The term ‘denningvleis’ came from the Javanese word for meat of the water buffalo -‘dendeng’. Combined with a side of rice and some roasted vegetables, this dish will send you on a South African adventure. Before you get on with this recipe, make sure to double check whether you’ve got all the spices at home.
Denningvleis with PGI Welsh Lamb
With lamb being the center piece of the denningvleis, you’ll want to get a high-quality piece of meat. What better protein to use than a superior quality lamb from Wales? More specifically, the PGI Welsh Lamb is known for its exceptional quality and farming excellence over the years. ‘PGI’ – a term granted by the European Commission, stands for Protected Geographical Indication.
This certifies that the lamb is born in a unique terrain which uses pure ingredients to produce this special Welsh lamb. Imagine, sweet spring water, luscious green grass and clean air. Perfect conditions for sheep that give them that unique premium taste. If you’ve had PGI Welsh Lamb before, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about because the taste is on a whole other level.
Hundreds of years of farming traditions have been dedicated to the PGI Welsh Lamb husbandry. It has had centuries of perfecting farming traditions for crafting perfect landscapes, suitable for rearing lamb and cattle. With heavy rainfall in Wales, it creates the perfect conditions for luscious Welsh grass which the cattle and sheep feast on. Therefore, the PGI Welsh Lamb has its own unique taste. Quality is definitely the way to go. To find out more information about PGI Welsh Lamb and why it is superior in terms of quality, please visit this site.
Selecting the lamb
Once you’ve decided to go for top quality such as PGI Welsh Lamb, next you’ll have to consider the cut. Most people are not so keen on using lamb because they think it’s too expensive. No worries, you can use cheaper cuts of lamb for the denningvleis. The ideal type of cuts are shoulder chop, loin chop, ribs, rack of lambs, chump chops, stewing lamb and shanks. Lamb is very versatile when it comes to cooking with and that’s the beauty of it.
However, for maximum flavour for the denningvleis, I would recommend using cuts with a bone in for extra flavour. I used chump chops but you can buy stewing lamb if you don’t like to fiddle with the bones. You can even use lamb shanks. The bones can be reused afterwards to create a broth or delicious gravy.
South African cuisine
South African cuisine is one of those cuisines which you can trace back to many cultures. This is the result of years of European colonisation from the Dutch, German, French and British around the 17th century. However, you can also credit the indigenous people, Sotho and Nguni, for their heavy influence in South African cuisine. Before South Africa was colonised they used a wide range of ingredients. These include leaves, wild plants, game, fruit, nuts, spices, fermented milk and bulbs.
Once the Dutch East India Company came into the picture with their refreshment stations for their ships, they influenced the region for more than 150 years. The Dutch introduced spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon and the deep-frying technique to produce the infamous ‘vetkoek’.
Once the South African trade routes became popular, it was common for Europeans to bring Indo-Asian servants with them on these journeys. Hence, you’ll find a lot of Indonesian influence in the South African cuisine with the use of curry spices. The Indo-Asians became an ethnic group called the Cape Malays, with their very own cuisine. Today, the Cape Malays still continue to have an influence in traditional South African dishes such as the denningvleis.
The French brought in jams, preserves and most importantly wine! Today, South Africa is known for its superior quality wine. The Germans brought sausages and ‘boerewors’, a type of farmers sausage, was born. Post 17th century, the Dutch, Germans and French formed a nation and became known as Afrikaners. Later on, the Afrikaners started taking advantage of the delicious meat and wild game, essentially making meat the center of any dish. As you can see, South African cuisine has many influences and that’s what makes it so exciting!
serving
It’s very common to serve the denningvleis with rice. To keep things traditional, I served the denningsvleis with ‘geelrys’ – a South African yellow rice with spices and raisins. No meal is complete without greens, so I also served ‘boereboontjies’ – green beans mashed with potato and onions. Top the plate off with some coriander or parsley for additional flavour. A lovely red wine will complement the denningvleis beautifully. Enjoy!
Print
Denningvleis
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Denningvleis is a sweet and sour lamb recipe originating from the Cape Malay community. This South African recipe stews lamb chops with tamarind paste.
Ingredients
- 1.5kg (3lbs) Welsh lamb chump chops, cut into smaller chunks
- 30ml (2 tbsp) oil
- 3 large onions, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 6 whole cloves
- 5ml (1 tsp) allspice
- 5ml (1 tsp) ground nutmeg
- 5ml (1 tsp) mustard seed
- 3 bay leaves
- 7.5ml (1½ tsp) salt
- 60ml (4 tbsp) tamarind paste
- 30ml (2 tbsp) brown sugar
- 250ml (1 cup) water
Instructions
- In a large ovenproof casserole, fry the chops in the oil until browned on all sides then remove the meat from the dish.
- Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F/gas mark 3.
- Lower the heat and gently fry the onions and garlic until softened.
- Add the cloves, allspice, nutmeg, mustard, bay, salt, tamarind brown sugar and water to the mix and stir until everything is well mixed. Add more water if needed.
- Place the lid on the casserole and transfer the casserole to the oven. Cook for 1 hour.
- Check on the meat, add more water if needed just enough to ensure the stew doesn’t dry out, then cook for another hour or until the meat is tender at 140°C/280°F/gas mark 1.
- Serve with geelrys and boereboontjies.
Notes
- Other cuts of stewing lamb can be used, even lamb shanks!
- Category: Stew
- Method: Braise
- Cuisine: South African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 118
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 255 mg
- Fat: 5.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.4 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 5.9 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: denningvleis recipe, sweet and sour lamb, cape malay braised lamb chops, South African lamb recipe
save the recipe to your pinterest board
P.S. This is a sponsored post.
i can never get enough of the deliciousness that a malwa pudding is
thanks for sharing 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten one!
★★★★★
It’s a very specific dish 🙂 I’d be surprised if a lot of people have. You should try it. It’s delish! 🙂
I love bobotie. I don’t know how authentic my version is but authentic or not it’s delicious
Agreed 🙂
never tried any before but would love to give your recipe a go
Thanks Sam, let me know how it goes 🙂
I’ve never unfortunately tried any
Hope you give this a go 🙂
I like Boere Breyani
Sounds delicious 🙂
Any fish cooked on the braai! And guava ice cream for dessert 😀
OOOOOO, you are making me hungry :))
Bobotie, which consists of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping.
I like bobotie too 🙂
I’m new to this style of cooking so would need to learn more about the recipes
Hope you have fun Carole! 🙂
Biltong. A friend introduced this to me at uni and I love its unique taste.
Thanks for sharing Elaine 🙂
I’ve never actually tried any South African dishes. I generally like most fish dishes so I’d like to try some new South African ones.
Go for it! I hope you enjoy Krzysia 🙂
Have eaten very little SA cuisine, all I can recall are some delish sausages I had at a bbq one time. Would like to try Bunny Chow
Go for it 🙂
Bobotie is my favourite. My friend made it for me once and I absolutely loved it! I make it myself a couple of times a month now. Absolutely delicious!
cool 🙂
To be honest I don’t think I know any! I shall have to try some out.
Please do 🙂
I have not tried any I know that is bad.
No time like the present 😉
BObotie is delicious
🙂 agreeeeeed
Boere Breyani is an interesting fruity curry
★★★★
and delicious too 🙂
I have not tried any yet
you’ll love it 🙂
On holiday last year, we had Eggs Benedict with biltong, it was amazing! My favourite was Eland though, so, so good!
thanks for sharing Kelly! Sounds really amazing
My friend makes some mean crunchy fried bananas, they are heaven!
wow! would love to try them
Slow-cooked Karoo lamb shanks. Yummy!
yummy indeed!
I have yet to try any.. it all sounds delicious though!
★★★★★
thanks Rachel!
I have to say I’ve never tried a South African recipe that I know of. I’d be intrigued to though!
ooooh try it 🙂 they are delicious
Boere Breyani
YUMMY
nice!
I don’t think I have one. I’ve never really tried South African food.
Try it! You’ll love it if you like tangy and spicy flavours. 🙂
I have actually never tried South African food as far as I am aware, although your post and question inspired me to take a look and see what kind of recipes are there. I found a Chicken and Peanut Stew that looks delicious on pinterest and have now added that to my recipe list to try along with yours as it looks delicious.
Hi Katrina! That’s so nice to hear 🙂 I hope you keep exploring traditional South African recipes 🙂
Can’t say I’ve ever eaten any South African cuisine that I’m aware of but the denningvleis sounds lovely :o)
Hi Nikki 🙂 Thanks! I hope you keep enjoying my recipes 🙂
Love bobathie
same!
I’ve never tried any yet, but now thinking it’s the time to
yey! let me know how it goes 🙂
Haven’t really tried any South African dishes, but definitely need to add them to the list to try out!
yey! Im glad. Let me know which SA dish you decide to go for 😛
I have never tried one but I love the sound of the curried lamb chops with apricots sound amazing!
agreed 🙂
I love bunny chow! I also love just about any meat on a braai, though. Although it technically isn’t a recipe, I also love Pronutro and Milo (not together).
me too! 🙂
me too! x
Well as we are only just starting our South African journey our two favourites at the moment are BOERE BREYANI and the VANILLA & GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE. 🙂
fantastic! What a great way to start 🙂
I’ve subscribed. 🙂
Awesome! Enjoy the recipes 🙂
I dont know what they are called but one of the school mums (from south Africa originally) made some fab little doughnut style cakes for the Christmas fair cake stand this year. They were filled with jam like a doughnut but were covered in a cinnamon sugar. Heaven!
hehe, nice! They sound addictive 😛
I haven’t cooked any, but will definitely be trying some recipes. Sound very tasty
thanks Tricia!
my friend who is south African gave me Bobotie, I loved it, now I ,make it myself, yum
haha, great to hear! 🙂
This all looks delicious, I’d love to try South African food!
thanks Fay. Go for it 🙂
Has to be Boere Breyani for me! ?
nice 🙂
I love bootie xx
me too
My favourite is Bobotie, as I can see quite a favourite on here too. Love getting new things, you’re such an inspiration. Thank you
You are very welcome Lindsey 🙂 I hope you keep enjoying my recipes 🙂
I love Oxtail potjie!
ooo, how interesting. 🙂
Only South African dish I know I’ve tried is Paptert, (Mealie Pie) – my MiL used to make it years ago
Nice! That one is delicious too 🙂
i never tried but my son and I have been intrigued by your post and so did some recipe finding and we going to cook BOERE BREYANI later and cant wait to try something new.
fantastic to hear!! Do let me know how it turns out for you 🙂
My friend made us all a Bobotie last year and was so delicious but have not yet had a go at making it myself.
great to hear 🙂 Bobotie is delicious
Iv tried bierewors
niiiice!
I’m being honest I’ve never tried South African food but it looks amazing. Will try some recipes at home now after seeing this, looks like my kind of food.
I am so happy that my recipes keep inspiring people like you to try SA cuisine. Yey!
wow I have never tried these types of meals but will certainly be giving it a go
yey! please do and then share 🙂
Looks amazing but have never tried south African food.
you should 🙂
I don’t have any experience with South African food but the curried lamb chops look lovely. I love cooking so I’m going to try some of the recipes to see how the family like them
so excited! 🙂
Well I have a feeling once I’ve tried the Denningvleis lamb stew that will be a firm favourite but I’m going make hubby look through and try a few recipes (he adores cooking, I adore eating!)
hahaha, how fantastic 😛
I haven’t had the pleasure of sampling any South African dishes as yet, but i most certainly will be trying out a few of the recipies, they sound amazingly delicious! 🙂 x
★★★★★
I hope you like it Tracey 🙂 SA cuisine is fab!
I’m South African and I can’t quite decide whether I prefer bunny chow or bobotie. Both remind me of home.
true that!
to be honest i’ve never tried south african food but you denningvleis with pgi welsh lamb looks tasty
thanks Sharon! 🙂
Never tried any, but your recipe sounds delicious, going to attempt to make it, thanks. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year to you too Ruth 🙂
Never tried but I do like Biltong.
oooo nice!
I’ve never tried one but they all look nice!
go for it 🙂
I’ve never cooked any myself but anything with spicy lamb would go down well with me.
hehe like the way you think Nikki 🙂
The only south African food I have tried is Biltong but I’d like to try bunny chow.
great!
I must admit that I have always loved a good Bobotie
me too 🙂
love to try any your food looks fab
thanks Sarah!
I love Malva pudding
★★★★★
nice!!
Absolutely love biltong x
same here 🙂
I love the sound of most spiced meat and rice dishes like the lamb dish above, but haven’t much experience of South African food. Does plantain feature? I don’t live in a city and I was super excited to see my local store is stocking it for the first time, as I love it!
it can 🙂 that’s so cool to hear! 🙂
Mario lamb sharks- only had them once but will never forget the taste – gorgeous!
ooooh how nice. Have to try this