congolese Recipes
46 delicious congolese recipes from around the world
Chikwangue
Chikwangue, also known as Kwanga or Chikwanga, is a staple side dish in Congolese cuisine. Made from fermented cassava dough, it's traditionally steamed in banana leaves, resulting in a dense, slightly tangy, bread-like accompaniment to stews and sauces.
Kisangani Chicken Stew (Poulet à la Kisangani)
A rich and savory chicken stew, named after the city of Kisangani, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with aromatic spices and often includes vegetables like okra or eggplant.
Kuku Paka (African Chicken Curry)
Kuku Paka is a rich and flavorful chicken curry with influences from Indian cuisine, popular in East and Central Africa. It features chicken simmered in a creamy sauce made from coconut milk, tomatoes, and aromatic spices.
Liboké de Poisson
Liboké de Poisson, meaning 'fish in banana leaves,' is a traditional Congolese dish where fish is seasoned and then steamed or grilled within banana leaves. This cooking method imparts a subtle, earthy flavor from the leaves and ensures the fish remains incredibly moist and tender. It's often prepared with a vibrant marinade of onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and various spices.
Madesu na Loso (Congolese Beans and Rice)
A hearty and flavorful dish of slow-cooked red beans served over fluffy rice, often accompanied by boiled green bananas. This is a staple comfort food in Congolese cuisine.
Madesu na Loso (Congolese Beans and Rice)
A comforting and flavorful dish of slow-cooked red beans served with fluffy rice, a staple in Congolese households.
Makayabu na Fumbwa
Makayabu na Fumbwa is a flavorful Congolese dish featuring salted fish (makayabu) stewed with fumbwa (wild spinach or other leafy greens) and a blend of aromatic spices. It's a hearty and traditional meal, often served with staples like fufu or boiled plantains.
Matembele (Sweet Potato Leaf Stew)
A hearty and flavorful stew made from tender sweet potato leaves, simmered with onions, peppers, and often chicken or fish, creating a rich and comforting dish.
Mbika na Soso (Chicken with Pumpkin Seeds)
A flavorful and hearty Congolese dish featuring chicken cooked with ground pumpkin seeds, creating a rich and savory sauce. It's often seasoned with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, offering a unique taste of Congolese home cooking.
Mbika ya Mbisi (Pumpkin Seed Pudding with Fish)
Mbika ya Mbisi is a unique Congolese dish where pumpkin seeds are processed into a flour and then steamed in banana leaves with fish and vegetables. It offers a rich, nutty flavor with a hint of spice.
Msembo with Groundnut Sauce
Msembo, a type of dried fish, is rehydrated and cooked in a rich, savory groundnut (peanut) sauce. This dish is a flavorful example of Congolese cuisine, often served with fufu or rice.
Ndakala na Fumbwa (Dried Anchovies with Spinach)
A flavorful and protein-rich dish from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, featuring small dried anchovies (ndakala) cooked with spinach (fumbwa) and aromatic spices. This dish is often served with fufu or rice, offering a taste of traditional Congolese cuisine.
Ngombe ya Soupe (Congolese Beef Stew)
A hearty and flavorful beef stew, Ngombe ya Soupe is a staple in Congolese cuisine. This dish features tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich tomato-based broth with aromatic spices and vegetables. It's often enjoyed with fufu, rice, or other starches.
Ntaba ya Kotumba (Oven-Baked Goat Meat)
A flavorful and tender oven-baked goat meat dish, often prepared for special occasions. It's seasoned simply but effectively, allowing the natural flavors of the goat to shine through. This method makes the traditional wood-grilled dish accessible for home cooks.
Okazi Soup
Okazi soup is a hearty and flavorful vegetable soup made with Okazi leaves (also known as Afang leaves), often thickened with cocoyam or achi, and enriched with various meats and fish. It's a popular dish in many parts of Central Africa.
Poisson à la Congolaise
A vibrant and aromatic fish dish cooked in a flavorful tomato and vegetable sauce, often featuring a mix of local spices and herbs. This recipe highlights the fresh flavors of Congolese cuisine.
Poisson Braisé Sauce Arachide
A rich and savory dish featuring pan-fried or grilled fish (often tilapia or sea bass) served in a luscious peanut butter sauce. This dish highlights the Congolese love for flavorful, hearty sauces.
Poulet à la Banane Plantain
A flavorful Congolese dish featuring chicken simmered in a rich sauce with ripe plantains, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This dish offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors, with the plantains becoming tender and slightly caramelized.
Poulet à la Moambé Nouvelle
A rich and flavorful chicken stew made with palm nut cream, served with fufu and a side of greens. This version offers a slightly different spice profile and preparation method compared to the classic Moambé.
Poulet à la Moambé Nouvelle Version
A rich and flavorful chicken stew made with palm nut cream (moambe), often served with rice or fufu. This version offers a slightly refined approach to the classic.
Poulet DG
Poulet DG, which translates to 'Director General Chicken,' is a flavorful Congolese dish featuring pan-fried chicken pieces simmered with a medley of vegetables and served with fried plantains. It's a celebratory dish often prepared for special occasions.
Poulet Mayonnaise
A flavorful Congolese chicken dish where chicken pieces are marinated, fried until golden, and then coated in a creamy, tangy mayonnaise-based sauce, often with a hint of spice. It's a popular and comforting meal.
Poulet Moambé
Poulet Moambé, also known as Moambe Chicken, is considered the national dish of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It's a rich and flavorful stew made with chicken simmered in a sauce of red palm oil, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and often enriched with peanut butter. The dish has a distinctive earthy and savory taste, with a hint of spice. It's traditionally served with fufu, rice, or fried plantains.
Saka Saka (Pondu)
Saka Saka, also known as Pondu or Mpondu, is a staple dish in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, made from cassava leaves. This hearty and nutritious stew is slow-cooked with aromatics like onions and garlic, often enriched with palm oil, and can include proteins like smoked fish, beef, or chicken. It's typically served with starchy sides such as rice, fufu, or plantains.