Akwaaba to Ghana, welcome back, food lovers! Ghana’s leading home-made food, Kontomire Stew is the amazing dish we will explore today. This trending Ghanaian home-cooked stew hosts healthy ingredients and flavorful spices that are good for our health. So grab your apron and join me as we set off on this culinary journey!
Gather All Your Needed Ingredients
To begin our journey to the heart of Ghanaian cuisine, make sure you have these key ingredients on hand:
- 2 cups of kontomire leaves (substitute with spinach if unavailable)
- 1 pound of smoked fish or meat (such as mackerel or goat meat)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 large tomatoes, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of red palm oil (substitute with vegetable oil if needed)
- 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon of dried shrimp powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground crayfish (optional but adds depth of flavor)
- Scotch bonnet pepper or chili pepper, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to season
- Water, as needed
Let’s Start Cooking!
- Prepare the kontomire leaves: Rinse the kontomire leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or sand. Then, chop them into small pieces.
- Carefully gather the smoked meat and fish, wash them well, and boil it in a cooking pot with water then simmer it for 15 to 30 minutes, until it is thoroughly cooked. Remove the fish or meat from the pot, leave the broth aside for later use, and set the cooked fish or meat aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the palm oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions, ginger, and garlic until the onions are fragrant and transparent after being added. Then, add the tomatoes, dried shrimp powder, and ground crayfish (if using). After combining everything, let it cook for a further few minutes.
- Add the kontomire leaves: Now, it’s time to add the star of the show – the kontomire leaves! Mix the chopped leaves into the sautéed aromatics, ensuring they are well-coated with the flavors. Cook them down for about 10 minutes, allowing the leaves to wilt and release their vibrant green color.
- Blend and simmer: Transfer the kontomire mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Return the mixture to the pot and add the smoked fish or meat. Pour in the reserved broth from earlier, and season with salt, pepper, and Scotch bonnet pepper (or chili pepper), according to your spice preference. Give it a good stir, cover the pot, and let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Eating Process – Time to Savor!
Congratulations, you have successfully cooked Ghana’s Kontomire Stew! Dig in and prepare to be taken to the energetic streets of Ghana. For a whole supper that honors the diverse culinary traditions of West Africa, serve this important stew with a side of cooked yam, plantains, or rice.
We sincerely hope you enjoyed the cooking process of Kontomire stew as much as we did. Try other well-known meals like Banku or Jollof Rice if you want to experience more of Ghana’s diverse cuisine.
When preparing this nutritious, delicious Kontomire stew, you may feel free also add other spices and flavors of your own.
Enjoy cooking Kontomire stew and bon appetit until next time!