Lumanda (Zambian Okra Stew)
A flavorful and vegetarian Zambian stew made with fresh okra, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices. It's a delightful dish often enjoyed with nshima.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 Hot pepper(chopped (remove seeds for less heat))
- 1 teaspoon Ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 2 cups Fresh okra(sliced)
- 1 Tomato(diced)
- Salt(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped hot pepper. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
- 2
Stir in the ground paprika, ground cumin, ground turmeric, and ground coriander. Cook for a minute or two to release the flavors of the spices.
- 3
Add the sliced okra and diced tomato to the pot. Stir well to combine the vegetables with the spice mixture.
- 4
Season the stew with salt to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- 5
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until the okra is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking of the okra and tomatoes.
- 6
Once the stew is ready, remove the pot from the heat and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For less heat, remove the seeds from the hot pepper.
- ✓Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking.
- ✓This stew is best served hot with nshima.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots.
- For a richer flavor, a small amount of groundnuts can be added.