Best 8 African Spinach Recipes

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In the realm of African cuisine, African spinach, also known as "efo spinach" or "spinach stew," stands as a culinary masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds and nourishes the soul. This delectable dish, popular in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and beyond, is a vibrant tapestry of textures and tastes, a harmonious blend of tender spinach, aromatic spices, and succulent meats or seafood. With its vibrant green hue and irresistible aroma, African spinach is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the palate. This article presents a collection of authentic African spinach recipes, each offering a unique culinary journey, an exploration of diverse ingredients, cooking techniques, and regional variations. From the classic Nigerian Efo Riro, a rich and flavorful stew brimming with spinach, tomatoes, and an array of spices, to the Kenyan Sukuma Wiki, a simple yet captivating stir-fry of spinach, onions, and tomatoes, these recipes capture the essence of African cuisine, celebrating the bounty of fresh produce, vibrant spices, and the warmth of home cooking.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW WITH SWEET POTATO & SPINACH



West African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potato & Spinach image

Sweet potatoes, peanut butter, spinach, cumin ... the comforting combo results in the heartiest, most flavorful vegan stew around.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (diced) (about 2 cups)
3 medium cloves garlic (minced)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and diced) (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper (plus or minus to taste)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups packed fresh baby spinach
2 cups cooked brown rice
Fresh cilantro
Chopped salted peanuts

Steps:

  • Cook the rice according to package instructions.
  • While the rice cooks, make the stew. Set a medium soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. When hot, add the olive oil and the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, and coriander and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
  • Add the broth, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the stew comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the sweet potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes.
  • Stir in the peanut butter and the spinach. Stew is done when the peanut butter has distributed and the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
  • Serve with a scoop of brown rice and garnish with cilantro and peanuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470 kcal, Sugar 10 g, Sodium 530 mg, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Carbohydrate 60 g, Fiber 10 g, Protein 15 g, ServingSize 1 serving

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND SPINACH STEW



North African Chicken and Spinach Stew image

This dish is my mother's interpretation of a meal we had at a friend's birthday party when we were young. We came home raving about it and had to try making it for ourselves!

Provided by Jazz Smollett-Warwell

Categories     HarperCollins     HarperCollins     Dinner     Chicken     Soup/Stew     Stew     Spinach     Paprika     Oregano     Rice     Cinnamon     Garlic

Yield 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 whole chicken (about 2 1/2 pounds)
3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
3 bay leaves
Sea salt
10 garlic cloves
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) salted butter
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 cinnamon stick
10 ounces baby spinach, chopped (about 8 cups)
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Cooked basmati rice, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • PLACE the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water. Add the celery, carrot, onion, and bay leaves and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
  • REMOVE the chicken to a deep dish or bowl and let it drain. Strain the stock into a large bowl or pan and set aside. Transfer the vegetables from the strainer to a blender (remove the bay leaves), add the garlic, and puree until completely smooth. Set aside.
  • TO make the spinach stew, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. When it's bubbling slightly, add the vegetable puree. Warm it through, about 2 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, the pepper, and the cinnamon stick, then add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved stock and bring to a simmer. Cook to let the flavors develop, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat and keep warm (remove the cinnamon stick before serving).
  • MEANWHILE, when the chicken is cool enough to handle, pat it completely dry and break it down into 8 pieces: 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 2 breasts, then split the breasts in half. Place the chicken pieces in a large dish. Combine the granulated onion, granulated garlic, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Completely coat the chicken in this dry rub.
  • MELT the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until charred in spots, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • SERVE the chicken with rice and a generous ladle of spinach stew. Squeeze lemon over the plate if desired.

AFRICAN SPINACH



African Spinach image

A west African recipe. Use as a side dish or serve over rice or couscous as a vegetarian main dish.

Provided by Parsley

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 lb fresh spinach, washed and trimmed
1 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup peanut butter, can use chunky, if desired

Steps:

  • Cook onion and green pepper in peanut oil in a skillet for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
  • Add spinach and tomato to skillet.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until spinach is tender.
  • Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cook until hot throughout.
  • Serving suggestion: Server with hot cooked rice or couscous.

AFRICAN SPINACH AND PEANUT BUTTER STEW



African Spinach and Peanut Butter Stew image

Found online at www.fooddownunder.com, while looking for economical 'African' recipes. Tasty and nutritious, a vegetarian main dish or a good side dish. You could easily add garlic, cooking it with the onions, add some mushrooms, adding with the tomatoes, and I think some chilli, fresh, powdered or flaked, would also add a bit of spice to this very versatile dish!

Provided by Karen Elizabeth

Categories     Stew

Time 25m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 medium onions
2 large tomatoes or 410 g canned tomatoes
2 lbs spinach
4 tablespoons peanut butter
salt
pepper
oil (for frying)

Steps:

  • Slice the onions and fry in oil until soft.
  • Peel the tomatoes in boiling water (or use tinned tomatoes). Slice and add to the onions.
  • Wash, trim and chop the spinach coarsely.
  • Add to the stew and cook, covered, over a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.
  • Thin the peanut butter with hot water to make a smooth paste.
  • Add to the stew.
  • Season with salt and pepper and cook for another 5 - 10 minutes, stirring and adding water if necessary to prevent sticking.
  • Serve over steamed rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes, in fact, you could eat it with anything, really!

AFRICAN SPINACH AND GROUNDNUT STEW (AKA PEANUT, KENYA/TANZANIA)



African Spinach and Groundnut Stew (Aka Peanut, Kenya/Tanzania) image

This is from "Best of Regional African Cooking". The original calls for 1/2 c. finely ground unsalted peanuts. That's too much work, so I substituted peanut butter. This is a very thick, rich vegetable side. It is not a stew like we think of stews in the US. My husband liked it, and it is the only spinach dish he will eat.

Provided by Debbie R.

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 onion, chopped
1 chili pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup light coconut milk
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
salt

Steps:

  • Saute onions and chili pepper in oil until onion is transparent.
  • Add peanut butter and coconut milk slowly, stirring constantly until it comes to a boil. Add spinach. Salt to taste.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until spinach is cooked.

MCHICHA (EAST AFRICAN SPINACH



Mchicha (East African Spinach image

Make and share this Mchicha (East African Spinach recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chocolatl

Categories     Spinach

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 lbs fresh spinach, washed and trimmed
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chili pepper
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts, ground

Steps:

  • Place spinach and salt in a heavy 4-5 quart casserole.
  • Cover tightly and cook over medium heat until spinach is tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain spinach, squeezing it completely dry a handful at a time.
  • Chop coarsely and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over moderate heat.
  • Add onions and chilies and cook, stirring frequently, until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in coconut milk and peanuts and bring to a simmer over moderate heat.
  • Reduce heat to its lowest point.
  • Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, 2-3 minutes.
  • Add spinach and cook until heated through, 4-5 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.3, Fat 27.6, SaturatedFat 16.4, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 841.9, Carbohydrate 55.8, Fiber 7.4, Sugar 40.8, Protein 10.8

SPINACH - (M'CHICHA) - EAST AFRICAN



Spinach - (M'chicha) - East African image

This is another recipe from the web, which I found for our ZWT 7 - for Africa, which I have not tried. The addition of chopped peanuts to the spinach gives it a delightful crunchiness, the grated coconut is an unexpected flavor.

Provided by Baby Kato

Categories     Breakfast

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 ounces butter (or margarine)
1 cup peanuts, finely chopped (or ground)
2 (8 ounce) packages frozen spinach, chopped, thawed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 -3 drops Tabasco sauce
2 tablespoons coconut, grated (optional)

Steps:

  • In a 2-quart saucepan add the butter and saute the onions and peanuts until lightly browned.
  • Next add the chopped spinach and saute until all the liquid is absorbed.
  • Add the salt and tabasco and serve with poached or scrambled eggs.
  • Top with grated coconut if using.

SEASONED AFRICAN SPINACH



Seasoned African Spinach image

I don't know why this recipe is African. It came to me from a friend in Pennsylvania, who has no African roots that I know of. It can be a complete, vegetarian meal served with rice, or a more protein-rich meal with the addition of a chicken breast. Preparation time does not include cooking rice.

Provided by Aimee88

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1/2 lb fresh spinach, trimmed
1/2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons peanut butter

Steps:

  • Cook onion and pepper in the oil in a large pot or skillet for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
  • Add spinach and tomato. Cover and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the spinach is tender.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook until hot throughout.
  • Serve over rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 103.7, Fat 7.7, SaturatedFat 1.4, Sodium 228.7, Carbohydrate 6.9, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 2.5, Protein 4.1

Tips:

  • Select fresh, young spinach: For the best flavor and texture, choose spinach with vibrant green leaves and no signs of wilting or yellowing.
  • Wash the spinach thoroughly: To remove any dirt or debris, rinse the spinach thoroughly under cold water. If there are a lot of sandy or gritty particles, you can soak the spinach in a bowl of water for a few minutes before rinsing.
  • Chop the spinach coarsely: To ensure even cooking, chop the spinach coarsely into bite-sized pieces. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can chop it more finely.
  • Use a large pot or skillet: To prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking, use a large pot or skillet that can accommodate the spinach comfortably.
  • Cook over medium heat: To preserve the spinach's vibrant color and nutrients, cook it over medium heat until it wilts and softens, stirring frequently.
  • Add flavors and seasonings: Enhance the flavor of the spinach by adding aromatics like onions, garlic, and ginger, as well as spices like cumin, coriander, and chili powder. You can also incorporate other vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
  • Serve immediately: To enjoy the spinach at its best, serve it immediately after cooking. It can be paired with rice, quinoa, or your favorite protein source.

Conclusion:

African spinach is a versatile and delicious leafy green that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. With its rich flavor and nutritional value, it's a great addition to any healthy diet. By following these simple tips and recipe suggestions, you can easily prepare delicious African spinach dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and provide you with essential nutrients. So, experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to find your favorite way to enjoy this amazing vegetable.

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