African Spinach Recipes

Steps:

• Place spinach and salt in a heavy 4-5 quart casserole.
• Cover tightly and cook over medium heat until spinach is tender, about 10 minutes.
• Drain spinach, squeezing it completely dry a handful at a time.
• Chop coarsely and set aside.
• Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over moderate heat.
• Add onions and chilies and cook, stirring frequently, until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in coconut milk and peanuts and bring to a simmer over moderate heat.
• Reduce heat to its lowest point.
• Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, 2-3 minutes.
• Add spinach and cook until heated through, 4-5 minutes more.

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, warm the palm oil over medium heat, and add the onions, garlic, ginger, chile and a couple pinches of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown and sweet, about 15 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and a few generous pinches of salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and partly cover the pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has cooked to a rich tomato-soup consistency, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the egusi or pumpkin seeds in a food processor or blender to a fine powder, until it just starts to get clumpy. (Do not overprocess into a butter.) Remove to a bowl.
• When the tomatoes have reduced, add the shrimp powder (or smoked paprika and fish sauce to taste), and simmer 2 minutes. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, to the bowl of egusi powder until it is a loose paste. Add the egusi paste on top of the tomato sauce, and spread it out. Cover the pan, and cook 5 minutes.
• Stir the sauce all together; it will look like a thick porridge. Add a few splashes of water, and increase heat to a boil. Stir in the spinach, until wilted and tender. Taste, season with salt (or more fish sauce, if using) and serve with boiled sweet plantains.

Steps:

• Cook onion and pepper in the oil in a large pot or skillet for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
• Add spinach and tomato. Cover and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the spinach is tender.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook until hot throughout.
• Serve over rice.

Steps:

• Cook onion and green pepper in peanut oil in a skillet for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
• Add spinach and tomato to skillet.
• Cover and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until spinach is tender.
• Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cook until hot throughout.
• Serving suggestion: Server with hot cooked rice or couscous.

Steps:

• Slice the onions and fry in oil until soft.
• Peel the tomatoes in boiling water (or use tinned tomatoes). Slice and add to the onions.
• Wash, trim and chop the spinach coarsely.
• Add to the stew and cook, covered, over a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.
• Thin the peanut butter with hot water to make a smooth paste.
• Add to the stew.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook for another 5 - 10 minutes, stirring and adding water if necessary to prevent sticking.
• Serve over steamed rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes, in fact, you could eat it with anything, really!