Calulu de Camarão
A flavorful Angolan stew featuring shrimp cooked with a variety of vegetables, palm oil, and spices. It's a rich and savory dish often served with funge or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Shrimp(peeled and deveined)
- 100 ml Palm oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 200 g Okra(sliced)
- 100 g Spinach(chopped)
- 100 g Sweet potato leaves(chopped)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste))
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 200 ml Water
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomatoes, sliced okra, chopped spinach, and sweet potato leaves. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- 4
Add the shrimp, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the water and stir everything to combine.
- 5
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the shrimp in garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- ✓If sweet potato leaves are unavailable, you can substitute with collard greens or other sturdy leafy greens.
- ✓Serve hot with funge (a cornmeal or cassava porridge) or steamed rice.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other seafood like mussels or clams along with the shrimp.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of scotch bonnet pepper.
- Some variations include a splash of tomato paste for added depth of flavor.