Spinach & Okra Stew

I sincerely hope you would share the same passion as me!

Spinach and Okra stew is a Tanzanian dish, locally known as Mlenda / Mrenda. 

Generally accompanied with the national dish made from white corn flour, Ugali.

Equally Italian style polenta would go just as well.

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Ingredients
  • 500ml Water
  • 1 Green Pepper, Diced
  • 1 Large Shallot, Roughly Chopped
  • 20gm Tomato Paste
  • 450gm Frozen Chopped Spinach
  • 300gm Frozen Okra
  • 6gm Baking Powder
  • 15gm Salt
  • 4gm Garlic Paste
  • 12gm Ginger Puree
  • 200gm Peanut Butter

NB:

Those with nut allergy, Sesame Seed Paste (Tahini), Almond Butter, Pumpkin Seed Butter or Cashew Butter makes a fantastic substitute for Peanut Butter.

Step No 1

Add the frozen spinach and okra in a large saucepan. 

Pour water into the saucepan.
Step No 2

Then sprinkle baking powder and give it a quick stir.

Step No 3

Bring to the boil, giving an occasional stir to combine.
Step No 4

Boil the spinach and okra mixture until the liquid has reduced in half and begins to get its gelatinous consistency.

Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step No 5

In the meantime, deseed and dice the pepper.

Roughly chop the shallots.
Step No 6

Using a food processor, blitz the shallot and pepper to a smooth pulp.

Step No 7

Fry the shallot and pepper pulp in a frying pan with some oil. 

Add ginger and garlic paste and cook for a 3 to 4 minutes.
Step No 8

Sprinkle salt and stir.

Cover with a lid and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until all the liquid has vaporised.

Step No 9

Lift the lid and add tomato paste and peanut butter.

Mix well to combine the two ingredients together.

Cover the frying pan again and simmer for a further 5 minutes. 
Step No 10

Uncover the frying pan and transfer the paste into the saucepan.

Stir to combine.

Cook for 5 to 10 minutes.  Turn off the heat.

Step No 11

Finally cover the saucepan with a lid.  Set aside for a couple of minutes before serving. 

Serve with ugali (white corn flour)

WATCH MY VIDEO ON HOW TO MAKE UGALI
Step No 12

Or with Italian style polenta.

WATCH MY VIDEO ON HOW TO MAKE POLENTA