Gboma Dessi
Gboma Dessi is a traditional Togolese spinach and tomato stew, often enriched with palm oil and various proteins like beef, goat, or fish. It's a hearty and nutritious dish, typically served with rice or cornmeal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Stewing beef(cut into cubes)
- 3 tbsp Red palm oil(regular oil can be substituted)
- 3 small Yellow or white onions(peeled and sliced thin)
- 4 large Garlic cloves(peeled and chopped)
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger root(minced)
- 4 Piri piri hot peppers(depending on taste, minced)
- 2 Beef bullion cubes
- 3 cups Water
- 14 oz Canned tomato sauce
- 1.5 tbsp Gbotemi spice
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 lb Fresh spinach(about 2 large heads, roughly chopped)
- 1 bunch Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat red palm oil in a large, wide frying pan over medium heat. Add half of the beef cubes and brown on both sides. Remove to a plate and brown the second batch of meat. Remove again.
- 2
Sauté the sliced onions in the same pan until softened and colored. If needed, add another tablespoon of oil.
- 3
Add the chopped garlic, minced ginger, and minced hot peppers. Sauté for a few more minutes.
- 4
Add the beef bullion cubes, water, canned tomato sauce, Gbotemi spice, and salt. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 3 hours, or until the meat is absolutely tender when pierced with a fork. Check every so often and add a bit more water if needed. Remove the cover during the last half hour of cooking if the stew is too soupy.
- 5
While the stew is simmering, prepare the spinach. Remove the root end of the spinach and wash well. Place the spinach in a large pot with clinging water, cover, and steam for 5-10 minutes until wilted. Drain, let cool, and coarsely chop.
- 6
When the stew is ready, taste for seasoning and add the chopped spinach. Warm through for a minute or so.
- 7
Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro. Traditionally served with Djenkoume or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Red palm oil is crucial for authentic flavor and color, but regular vegetable oil can be used as a substitute.
- ✓The cooking time for the beef may vary depending on the size of the cubes. Ensure the meat is very tender before proceeding.
- ✓If the stew is too soupy towards the end of cooking, remove the lid to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
🔄 Variations
- Substitute beef with goat meat or fish.
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra.