Best 8 African Spinach Recipes

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW WITH SWEET POTATO & SPINACH

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.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND SPINACH STEW

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 AND PEANUT BUTTER STEW

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

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 GROUNDNUT STEW (AKA PEANUT, KENYA/TANZANIA)

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

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.

SPINACH - (M'CHICHA) - EAST AFRICAN

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

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.