Mchuzi wa Nyama na Mboga (Tanzanian Meat and Vegetable Stew)
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chunks of beef simmered with a medley of vegetables in a rich, spiced broth. This dish is a comforting and complete meal, often served with ugali or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef stew meat(cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 2 medium Carrots(sliced)
- 2 Green bananas(peeled and sliced thickly)
- 1 small Eggplant(cubed)
- 1 cup Cabbage(sliced)
- 1 Green bell pepper(sliced)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(to taste)
- 4-6 cups Water or Beef Broth(enough to cover ingredients)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Return the browned beef to the pot. Add enough water or beef broth to cover the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
⏱️ 1 hour - 6
Add the cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced green bananas, cubed eggplant, sliced cabbage, and sliced green bell pepper to the pot.
- 7
Add more water or broth if needed to cover all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 45-60 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
⏱️ 45-60 minutes - 8
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use beef broth instead of water.
- ✓If green bananas are unavailable, you can substitute with plantains or omit them.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like sweet potatoes or yams.
- For a spicier stew, add a chopped chili pepper along with the other vegetables.