Hangi
There is hardly any other food preparation process anywhere on the planet quite like a Hangi. A Hangi is the customary Maori method of steaming food in the ground. Very closely associated to the polynesian Umu roasting method, the Hangi cooking procedure is very much in existence these days primarily for the extremely distinct flavor it gives the food. The techniques employed and the work necessary in putting down a Hangi continue to be very much modeled on traditional practices. The entire activity may easily almost take an entire day to finish.
There is certainly definitely NO taste similar to a Hangi anywhere on the planet. Hangi food is cooked underground. Yes, you did read that correctly. The food IS buried in your yard where it slowly cooks through for many hours until eventually ready.
If you by chance head over to New Zealand, experiencing a Hangi is a definite MUST DO. If you travel to New Zealand without experiencing a Hangi meal, you can’t honestly say that you’ve been here.
The next couple of paragraphs outline the main Hangi technique from start to finish.
This will provide you with a much better idea regarding what is actually involved and also precisely how much energy goes into planning and making a Hangi.
Step one is to find a number of special volcanic rocks to use as a form of heat to be able to steam the food. River boulders, sand stones and other sedimentary kinds of rocks won’t get the job done simply because they won’t heat up to a high heat and if you try to raise the temperature of them they could quite possibly shatter, causing severe harm to anyone in close proximity. Seeking out the correct classification of rocks for this task is positively crucial to the successful outcome of ANY Hangi.
The second step is when the stones are positioned in the fire and heated for quite a few hours right up until they are white hot. It is important that it is a wood fire only simply because any different materials used may possibly taint the flavor of the food. In New Zealand there are a couple of exceptional varieties of fire wood which are ideal for this task because they give a special smoky flavor. Alert: Using treated or painted timber can seriously taint your Hangi food and might also bring about sickness if ingested.
The third step is to dig the Hangi Pit. When digging the pit make certain that you take into account the specifications of your basket in addition to a bit of additional space for extra padding.
The fourth step is to fill the Hangi basket using a blend of raw, but thoroughly defrosted, meat, fresh vegetables, stuffing and a few steamed puddings. Hangi baskets are typically made with wire or iron. Yet another important factor to be aware of is the way your basket is packed. The space, depth and order of the stacking has a direct effect on the outcome of the prepared food.
The fifth phase is to shift the scorching stones into the hole. It’s incredibly essential that this particular step is carried out as proficiently as possible mainly because the longer the rocks are out of the flames, the more heat they’re going to lose. It takes place close to a very hot fire and is the most important step. The loaded basket ought to be set upon the sizzling hot rocks as soon as the exchange has taken place.
The next task is to adorn the basket using moist sacking material.
The kind of cloth utilized and the quantity of material utilized here is really important, as is also the depth and positioning of these covers around the basket and stones.
The next stage is to use spades to cover the Hangi yet again with earth right up until there is not any vapor getting out.
Finally, wait about 2-3 hours and dig up the Hangi and ‘Hey Presto’, you have just prepared your very own Hangi!
Hangi food is more often than not served as a communal smorgasbord. The food is spread out on the kitchen table and folks usually help themselves as they see fit. Fantastic Hangi side dishes include things like fried bread or rewena bread.
This explanation isn’t intended to be a thorough guide by any means. In order to put together your own Hangi there is certainly a lot more specific advice you have to have with regards to your tools, planning and timing. If any one of these areas is off the Hangi could possibly end up being a total disaster. To make sure you avoid having to get takeaways it would certainly be wise to search for more in depth information if you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the process.
Concerning the writer: Neville Pettersson is the author of the Official NZ Hangi Guide.This particular guide is the only resource that thoroughly describes the full Hangi procedure from beginning to end including all of the tips, techniques and background knowledge necessary to make sure you prepare a successful Hangi. The package consists of the comprehensive written guide, images, specific information as well as video footage.