Steps to preapare a hangi pit

Steps to be Taken Before Lighting the Hangi - Nga mahi i mua i te tahunga o te hangi

STEP 1 Place dry paper and kindling in the bottom of the hangi pit.

STEP 2 Place three layers of manuka logs on top of the dry paper and kindling.

STEP 3 Select enough stones or iron bars to completely cover the base of the hangi pit and place carefully on top of the manuka logs.

STEP 4 Firing of the hangi pit.

STEP 5 Final stages of burning manuka logs.

STEP 6 Remove red hot embers and ash from hangi pit (this reduces the excessive smoky taste in the food).

STEP 7 Place hot embers and ash on a corrugated iron sheet and remove from the hangi pit to a safe place. Hose the embers and ash to cool.

NB Supervise the fire at all times.

Placing of Hangi Baskets in Hangi Pit -Te whakanoho o nga rourou kopaki ki roto i te pokorua mo te hangi

STEP 8 Carefully place the hangi baskets on top of the hot stones, stacking no more than two baskets high and ensuring that the baskets containing meat are on the bottom layer.

STEP 9 Place the wet cloth sheet(s) over the hangi baskets.

STEP 10 Place the clean wet sacks over the wet sheet.

NB Wet sheets and numerous sacks create the steam required to cook the food. More water can be used if necessary. However, it should be applied sparingly as too much water can cool the stones too quickly, which can result in undercooked food.

STEP 11 Place a tarpaulin cover over the entire hangi pit and place soil around the edges of the tarpaulin to seal in the steam.

NB Once the hangi pit has been sealed it must be supervised throughout the cooking time (2.5-3 hours). This safety measure is to make sure that no steam escapes from the pit (escaping steam = escaping heat).

If steam leakage occurs, seal with soil immediately.

Removing Hangi Baskets after Cooking - Te tango o nga rourou kopaki mai i te pokorua hangi

STEP 12 After 2.5-3 hours, carefully remove the soil from the edges of the tarpaulin.

Carefully roll the tarpaulin away from the hangi pit.

STEP 13 Carefully remove the sacks one by one from the hangi pit.

STEP 14 Carefully remove the large white cloth sheet.

NB When removing the tarpaulin, sacks and sheets ensure that soil does not fall into baskets.

STEP 15 Remove the hangi baskets from the hangi pit and take them to the kitchen. Kai time!