Mpiru Otendera (Mustard Greens with Peanut Flour)
Mpiru Otendera is a nutritious and filling Malawian dish made with mustard greens cooked in a savory peanut flour sauce. It's a popular side dish that complements staple meals like nsima.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Mustard greens (Mpiru)(washed and roughly chopped)
- 100 g Peanut flour
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 cup Water(or as needed)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat cooking oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes until they start to break down.
- 3
Stir in the peanut flour and mix well to form a paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 4
Gradually add the water, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- 5
Add the chopped mustard greens and salt. Stir everything together, ensuring the greens are well coated with the peanut sauce.
- 6
Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the greens are tender and the sauce has thickened. Add more water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- 7
Taste and adjust salt if necessary. Serve hot as a side dish.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the peanut flour is well incorporated to avoid a gritty texture.
- ✓Adjust the amount of water to achieve your preferred sauce consistency.
- ✓Mustard greens can be slightly bitter; the peanut flour balances this with its richness.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a touch of heat.
- Substitute spinach or other leafy greens if mustard greens are unavailable.