Nshima with Nkole Ntundwa
Zambian Maize Meal with Wild Mushroom Stew
A staple Zambian dish featuring nshima, a dense maize meal porridge, served alongside a flavorful stew made with wild mushrooms (nkole ntundwa) and local seasonings.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups White maize meal (nshima meal)
- 4 cups Water
- 500 g Wild mushrooms (nkole ntundwa)(cleaned and sliced. If unavailable, use a mix of shiitake and oyster mushrooms.)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch Ginger(grated)
- 3 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 optional Stock cube(crushed)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 cup Water or vegetable broth(for the stew)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the nshima: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of maize meal until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Gradually add the remaining 1 cup of maize meal, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon to form a thick, smooth porridge. Continue to cook, stirring and folding, for about 15-20 minutes until firm and cooked through. Cover and keep warm.
- 2
While the nshima cooks, prepare the mushroom stew: Heat the cooking oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they break down, about 5-7 minutes. If using, add the crushed stock cube.
- 5
Add the cleaned and sliced wild mushrooms to the pot. Stir well to combine with the tomato mixture.
- 6
Pour in 1 cup of water or vegetable broth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- 7
Serve the hot nshima with the nkole ntundwa stew on the side.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The consistency of nshima can be adjusted by adding more or less maize meal and water.
- ✓Ensure wild mushrooms are thoroughly cleaned as they can contain grit.
- ✓If wild mushrooms are unavailable, a mix of cultivated mushrooms can be used, but the flavor will be different.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a handful of chopped spinach or other leafy greens to the stew in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- For a richer stew, a tablespoon of peanut butter can be stirred in towards the end.