Djiboutian Shigni Beef Stew
A rich and flavorful beef stew, Shigni is a hearty Djiboutian classic, slow-cooked with aromatic spices, tomatoes, and onions. It's often served with rice or flatbread to soak up the delicious sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Beef chuck(cubed)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 Green chili peppers(chopped (adjust to spice preference))
- 4 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(or to taste)
- 2 cups Water or beef broth
- Fresh cilantro or parsley(chopped, for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
💡 Tip: Ensure onions are softened but not browned. - 2
Add the minced garlic and chopped green chili peppers to the pot. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 3
Add the cubed beef to the pot and brown it on all sides. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, ground coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to coat the meat evenly with the spices.
- 5
Pour in the water or beef broth. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded.
- 6
Check the seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if needed. If the stew is too thick, add a little more water or broth.
💡 Tip: The longer it simmers, the more tender the meat and the deeper the flavor. - 7
Serve the Shigni hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. It is traditionally served with rice or Djiboutian flatbread like Canjeero or Sabaayad.
💡 Tip: Allowing the stew to rest for a few minutes before serving can help the flavors meld further.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the beef in the spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili peppers to control the level of heat.
- ✓If you don't have fresh tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes can be used.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like potatoes or carrots along with the beef.
- For a richer sauce, a tablespoon of tomato paste can be added with the tomatoes.