Sesotho Koko ya Kgomo
A rich and flavorful beef stew, 'Koko ya Kgomo' translates to 'cow's porridge' or 'cow's meal', referring to a hearty dish made with beef. It's often slow-cooked to tender perfection and seasoned with aromatic spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef (chuck or stewing beef)(cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 large Tomatoes(chopped)
- 4 cups Beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 cups Optional: potatoes, carrots(cubed)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Drying the beef helps it to brown better. - 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove the browned beef and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, curry powder, turmeric, and cumin. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- 5
Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Using a good quality beef broth will enhance the flavor. - 6
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer gently for at least 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. If adding potatoes and carrots, add them during the last hour of cooking.
💡 Tip: Low and slow cooking is key to tender beef. - 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, typically with pap (maize meal porridge) or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can sear the beef and then deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine before adding the broth.
- ✓If the stew is too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water and stirring it into the simmering stew.
- ✓This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes.
- For a touch of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped chili.