Ugandan Lamb Stew (Nnyama ya Muvumba)
A hearty and flavorful lamb stew, often prepared with ripe plantains and a rich tomato-based sauce, showcasing traditional Ugandan spices and slow-cooking techniques.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 3 medium Ripe plantains(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Beef or lamb broth
- 2 tsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove browned lamb and set aside.
- 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- 6
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 7
Return the browned lamb to the pot. Add the beef or lamb broth, ensuring the lamb is mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until the lamb is tender.
- 8
Add the plantain chunks to the stew. Cover and continue to simmer for another 20-30 minutes, or until the plantains are tender and cooked through, and the sauce has thickened.
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the stew is too thick, add a little more broth or water. If too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce.
- 10
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. This stew is traditionally served with millet bread (kalo), rice, or matoke.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using ripe plantains will add a natural sweetness to the stew.
- ✓For a deeper flavor, marinate the lamb overnight with the spices.
- ✓Ensure the lamb is well-browned for a richer taste.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a touch of heat.
- Incorporate other root vegetables like sweet potatoes or cassava.
- Use goat meat instead of lamb for a different flavor profile.