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Kontomire stew
Cocoyam leaf stew
Ashanti cocoyam-leaf stew with ground egusi, palm oil and tomato, with optional boiled eggs
Kontomire stew comes from the Ashanti region around Kumasi, where young cocoyam (taro) leaves are picked from farms and cooked down with palm oil, tomatoes and ground agushie (egusi) seeds. It is a thick, dark green, nutty stew eaten with boiled yam, ampesi (boiled plantain) or rice. Many families add smoked fish or salted fish; this version uses boiled eggs instead, which is also common. Spinach is the best stand-in when fresh cocoyam leaves are not available. Chef's tip: cocoyam leaves must be cooked thoroughly; under-cooked ones leave an itchy, scratchy feeling in the throat.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ lb cocoyam (taro) leaves or spinachwashed and finely chopped
- ¼ cup red palm oil
- 1 onionchopped
- 1 tbsp fresh gingergrated
- 2 cloves garlicgrated
- 1 scotch bonnet chillifinely chopped
- 3 fresh tomatoesblended
- 2 ⅞ oz ground egusi (agushie)mixed with 100 ml water
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 eggs (optional)hard-boiled and peeled
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: If using cocoyam leaves, boil them in salted water over a medium heat until dark and very soft, then drain and chop again. Spinach only needs wilting, so skip this.
12 minStep 2: Heat ¼ cup red palm oil in a pot over a medium heat. Fry 1 onion, 1 tbsp fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic and 1 scotch bonnet chilli until the onion softens.
4 minStep 3: Add 3 fresh tomatoes and simmer until thick and the oil rises to the top.
8 minStep 4: Spoon in the egusi paste from 2 ⅞ oz ground egusi (agushie) and leave it undisturbed for 3 minutes until it sets into curds, then stir gently.
3 minStep 5: Stir in the cooked 1 ⅓ lb cocoyam (taro) leaves or spinach and 1 tsp salt and simmer over a low heat until thick and the greens are tender.
5 minStep 6: A common mistake is stirring in the egusi and the greens together; the egusi needs a few minutes on its own to set or it turns to grainy sludge.
Step 7: Nestle in 4 eggs if using, warm through, and serve with boiled yam, plantain or rice.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 11 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kontomire stew take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
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