Ndolé (Cameroonian Peanut and Bitterleaf Soup) combines several traditional African flavors to create a unique, tasty dish. It is usually eaten during special occasions and celebrations in Cameroon, but you can now also enjoy it!
❤️ Why you'll love it
If you want to try something new, this Cameroonian Peanut and Bitterleaf Soup should be on your list. It is rich and hearty and filled with proteins. It is known as Cameroon's national dish, and for good reason. The flavors are out of this world!
What is Ndolé?
Ndolé is a traditional Cameroonian dish made using bitter leaves or spinach, groundnuts (peanuts), and various proteins, usually shrimp or fish.
🥘 Equipment Used
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You'll need a large pot or pan and a food processor or blender to blend the peanuts.
🧾 Ingredients Used
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- Bitter Leaves or Spinach: Traditionally, bitter leaves are used to make Ndolé. It might be easier to get frozen bitter leaves that have already been cleaned and trimmed. You can also substitute with spinach.
- Groundnuts / Peanuts: Peanuts are usually referred to as groundnuts in most parts of West Africa.
- Proteins: I use beef and shrimp for this recipe.
- Spices: I use ground crayfish, bouillon powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
- Aromatics: Onions and garlic.
🔪 How To Make Cameroonian Ndolé
- Combine the stew beef, salt, black pepper, and bouillon powder in a large pot.
- Add enough water to cover the meat, and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the beef reaches the desired tenderness.
- In a separate pot, boil the peanuts for approximately 10 minutes.
- Once the peanuts are ready, drain them and let them cool. Put the peanuts in a food processor, add the onions, garlic, and a little water, and blend into a smooth puree.
- Pour the peanut mixture into the pot with the cooked beef, and add the rest of the spices. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- If you use fresh bitter leaves, make sure to wash them thoroughly to remove their bitter taste. This process typically involves washing the fresh bitter leaf with cold water, often using a little baking soda.
- If you use frozen bitter leaves, allow them to thaw for an hour, or use a microwave to thaw them. Rinse the thawed leaves under cold running water and drain.
- Add the bitter leaves to the pot, stirring them into the ndolé stew. Then add the remaining spices and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a separate pan, cook the shrimp, and sprinkle some salt and black pepper.
- Allow the shrimp to cook for 5-10 minutes or until they turn pink.
- Add the cooked shrimp into the pot of Ndole, then simmer for a few more minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
🥫 Storing and Reheating
To store your Ndolé, pour it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. You can also freeze it for 2-3 months. To serve, gently reheat it on the stove over low to medium heat, adding a little water as needed.
💭 Tips and Variations
- Swap bitter leaves with spinach or combine both if you wish.
- Add your favorite proteins like goat meat, chicken, smoked fish, or even ground beef.
- Add more cayenne pepper if you want it spicier.
- Create a seafood ndole soup with shrimp, crab, and fish.
- Alternatively, you can replace peanuts with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free alternative.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
One thing I love about this traditional recipe is that it's a very versatile dish. It goes so well with a variety of dishes, such as white rice, fried or boiled plantains, yam, cassava, or couscous. On a low-carb diet, I like to enjoy it with some cauliflower rice.
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
Bitter leaves can be found in African or ethnic stores, or you can use fresh spinach as a substitute.
Yes, you can choose from options like beef, chicken, fish, or seafood based on your preference.
Common garnishes include sliced onions, fresh herbs, and sometimes crumbled fried plantains.
📚 Related Recipes
Check out these other tasty African recipes!
📖 Recipe
Ndole (Cameroonian Peanut Stew)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb bitter leaves frozen, substitute with spinach
- 1 large onion
- 2 cups peanuts raw, peeled
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon crayfish
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon bouillon powder
- pinch of salt and pepper for the shrimp
- salt to taste
To boil the beef
- 1 lb stew beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
Instructions
- Combine the stew beef, salt, black pepper, and bouillon powder in a large pot.1 lb stew beef, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- Add enough water to cover the meat, and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the beef reaches the desired tenderness.
- In a separate pot, boil the peanuts for approximately 10 minutes.2 cups peanuts
- Once the peanuts are ready, drain them and let them cool. Put the peanuts in a food processor, add the onions, garlic, and a little water, and blend into a smooth puree.1 large onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour the peanut mixture into the pot with the cooked beef, and add the rest of the spices. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- If you use fresh bitter leaves, make sure to wash them thoroughly to remove their bitter taste. This process typically involves washing the fresh bitter leaf with cold water, often using a little baking soda.1 lb bitter leaves
- If you use frozen bitter leaves, allow them to thaw for an hour, or use a microwave to thaw them. Rinse the thawed leaves under cold running water and drain.
- Add the bitter leaves to the pot, stirring them into the ndolé stew. Then add the remaining spices and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes.2 tablespoon crayfish, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon bouillon powder, salt to taste
- Heat olive oil in a separate pan, cook the shrimp, and sprinkle some salt and black pepper.1 lb jumbo shrimp, 2 tablespoon olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper
- Allow the shrimp to cook for 5-10 minutes or until they turn pink.
- Add the cooked shrimp into the pot of Ndole, then simmer for a few more minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap bitter leaves with spinach or combine both if you wish.
- Add your favorite proteins like goat meat, chicken, smoked fish, or even ground beef.
- Add more cayenne pepper if you want it spicier.
- Create a seafood ndole soup with shrimp, crab, and fish.
- Alternatively, you can replace peanuts with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free alternative.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.
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