Romazava
Romazava is considered the national dish of Madagascar. It's a hearty and aromatic stew made with a combination of beef, pork, and chicken, simmered with a variety of leafy greens in a savory tomato broth. It's typically served with rice and can be customized with chili for added heat.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Beef chuck(cut into bite-sized cubes)
- 300 g Pork loin(optional, cut into bite-sized cubes)
- 2 pieces Chicken breast(cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2.5 cm Ginger(fresh, peeled and minced)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 liter Beef or chicken stock
- 200 g Leafy greens(such as spinach, mustard greens, or kale, roughly chopped)
- 200 g Watercress(roughly chopped)
- 200 g Sorrel(optional, roughly chopped)
- 2 pieces Green chilies(sliced, optional)
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes (and pork, if using) and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the meat and set aside.
- 2
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes until they have softened and formed a thick base. Pour in the beef or chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Return the browned meat to the pot.
- 4
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 5
Add the chicken pieces, leafy greens, watercress, and sorrel (if using) to the pot. Add the sliced green chilies if you like some heat. Stir well to combine and let the stew simmer for another 20-30 minutes, or until the greens are tender and the meat is fully cooked.
- 6
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot over steamed rice.
💡 Tip: Sakay (a spicy relish) is often served alongside Romazava.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Romazava is often made with zebu meat in Madagascar, but beef is a common substitute.
- ✓Feel free to use a combination of your favorite leafy greens.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili peppers to your spice preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like carrots or potatoes.
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of beef, pork, and chicken.