Zimbabwean Corn Flour Dumplings with Groundnut Stew
Soft, fluffy corn flour dumplings (similar to sadza, but softer and often shaped into balls) served with a rich and savory groundnut stew. This dish is a staple, offering a comforting and hearty meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups White cornmeal (mealie-meal)(fine or medium grind)
- 4 cups Water(for dumplings)
- 500 g Beef or Chicken(cubed)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or diced)
- 1 cup Peanut butter (unsweetened)(smooth or crunchy)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tsp Ginger(grated)
- 2-3 cups Water(for stew)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 chopped Optional: Bell peppers
- 1-2 finely chopped Optional: Chili peppers
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the groundnut stew: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes💡 Tip: Don't brown the onions too much. - 2
Add cubed beef or chicken to the pot and brown on all sides. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add crushed tomatoes (and optional bell peppers/chili peppers). Stir well and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with 2 cups of warm water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pot with the meat and vegetables.
💡 Tip: Ensure the peanut butter is well-dissolved to avoid lumps. - 5
Add the remaining 1-2 cups of water to reach your desired stew consistency. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the stew has thickened.
⏱️ 30 minutes💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 6
Prepare the corn flour dumplings: While the stew simmers, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a separate medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Continue whisking vigorously until the mixture starts to thicken.
💡 Tip: Use a sturdy whisk or wooden spoon. - 7
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the cornmeal mixture cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should become a thick, dough-like consistency.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 8
Once the cornmeal is cooked, wet your hands slightly and shape the dough into small, golf-ball-sized dumplings. You can also drop spoonfuls directly into the simmering stew during the last 10 minutes of its cooking time.
💡 Tip: Dampening your hands prevents sticking. - 9
Serve the hot groundnut stew with the corn flour dumplings on the side, or place dumplings directly into bowls of stew.
💡 Tip: Enjoy immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer stew, use beef broth instead of water.
- ✓Adjust the amount of water for the peanut butter mixture to achieve your preferred stew thickness.
- ✓Ensure the cornmeal is fully cooked to avoid a gritty texture in the dumplings.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or potatoes to the stew.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth.
- Serve with a side of greens like rape (collard greens).