Encasing and Steaming

Encasing and steaming of food has been around for many generations. For this cooking technique we used either clay, or the termite mound/nest wet with water and then made into a paste.  We would wrap our food first in a layer of leaves, and then wrap a second layer made from the bark of the wide leafed Paperbark Tree.  This food package would then be tied with string that came from palm trees.  The food wrapped up can either be vegetables or meat mixed with a few herbs and spices.

Using the clay we would create a mould around the wrapped food and completely encase the food.  We would then dry out the clay just a little. This was done but putting the package next to the fire until the colour changed a little.  We would then put the food parcel in the coals and cover. The food would cook on the inside, steaming in its own juices.  Leave the parcels on the coals for about 20minutes, then crack open and eat!

This technique is a great way to cook without metal and many people would still say one of the best!