Cabrito Assado com Batata Doce e Ginguba
A hearty roasted goat dish, marinated and slow-cooked with sweet potatoes and a rich peanut sauce (ginguba), offering a blend of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Goat meat(cut into large pieces)
- 1 kg Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into chunks)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 200 g Ground peanuts (Ginguba)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 4 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 leaves Bay leaves
- 500 ml Water or broth
- 1.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 small Optional: Piri-piri pepper(finely chopped, for heat)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the goat meat with half of the minced garlic, grated ginger, half of the chopped onions, salt, pepper, and piri-piri (if using). Marinate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
💡 Tip: Marinating tenderizes the goat meat and infuses it with flavor. - 2
Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
💡 Tip: A lower temperature and longer cooking time ensures tender meat. - 3
In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated goat meat on all sides until browned.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Remove the goat meat from the pot and set aside. Add the remaining chopped onions to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Add the remaining minced garlic and tomato paste to the pot. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Return the goat meat to the pot. Stir in the ground peanuts, bay leaves, and pour in the water or broth. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Ensure the liquid covers most of the meat. - 7
Cover the pot tightly and transfer it to the preheated oven. Cook for 1.5 hours, or until the goat meat is tender.
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes - 8
Add the chunks of sweet potato to the pot. Stir gently to combine with the sauce. Cover and continue to cook in the oven for another 30-45 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened.
⏱️ 45 minutes💡 Tip: The sweet potatoes will absorb the flavors of the sauce. - 9
Remove the bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, spooning the rich peanut sauce over the goat and sweet potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Goat meat can be tough, so slow cooking is essential for tenderness.
- ✓If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water or broth.
- ✓This dish is often served with a side of rice or funge.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like cassava or pumpkin.
- For a spicier kick, add more piri-piri or a pinch of cayenne pepper.