{"id":"ndole_c101466b6b","slug":"ndole-cameroonian-bitterleaf-peanut-stew","title":"Ndolé (Cameroonian Bitterleaf & Peanut Stew)","description":"A rich, savory, and deeply flavorful Cameroonian stew featuring creamy ground peanuts, bitterleaves, and tender beef. It is one of Africa's most celebrated dishes.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g beef, cut into cubes","name":"Beef Chuck","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"stewing beef or chuck","group":"Protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250g raw peeled peanuts","name":"Peanuts","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"raw and peeled","notes":"","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"200g washed bitterleaves (dried or frozen)","name":"Bitterleaf","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"washed and squeezed","notes":"vernonia amygdalina","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 medium onions, chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"red or yellow","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 garlic cloves","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 thumb-sized piece of ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"grated","notes":"about 1 inch","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"100g dried shrimp (crayfish)","name":"Shrimp","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"ground or whole","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"100ml vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":100,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Cooking Fat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 liter of water","name":"Water","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":4.2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for boiling","group":"Liquid","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the raw peanuts in a pot with water and boil for about 10-15 minutes until soft. Drain and blend into a smooth paste using a little water.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the raw peanuts","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large pot, boil the cubed beef with half of one chopped onion and a pinch of salt until tender (about 30-40 minutes). Reserve the stock.","group":"Cooking the Meat","title":"Boil the cubed beef","timerMinutes":40,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Meat"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"If using fresh bitterleaf, wash them thoroughly in cold water multiple times, squeezing tightly to remove excess bitterness. If using frozen/pre-washed, ensure they are well-drained.","group":"Preparation","title":"If using fresh bitterleaf, wash them thoroughly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"In a deep pot, heat half of the vegetable oil. Sauté the remaining onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.","group":"Stew Base","title":"Heat half of the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Stew Base"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Add the peanut paste to the pot. Stir constantly to prevent sticking. Gradually add the reserved beef stock and more water if needed to reach a thick, creamy consistency.","group":"Stew Base","title":"Add the peanut paste","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Stew Base"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Add the boiled beef, washed bitterleaves, and dried shrimp (crayfish). Stir well and let simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.","group":"Final Simmer","title":"Add the boiled beef, washed bitterleaves, and dried shrimp","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Final Simmer"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"In a separate small pan, heat the remaining oil and fry a few onion slices until golden. Pour this hot oil and onions over the Ndolé just before serving for extra flavor and shine.","group":"Garnish","title":"Heat the remaining oil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Garnish"}],"notes":"Ndolé is traditionally served with miondo (fermented cassava), plantains, or rice. The secret to a great Ndolé is washing the bitterleaves thoroughly to ensure the bitterness is pleasant, not overpowering.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Cameroonian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","boil","saute"],"equipment":["large pot","blender","skillet"],"diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["peanuts","shellfish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The stew tastes even better the next day as flavors develop."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if the peanut sauce has thickened too much."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fndole_c101466b6b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4ba01553-e3af-4ca0-b0f1-bb20281d0d71","imageAlt":"Ndolé (Cameroonian Bitterleaf & Peanut Stew) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["ndole","bitterleaf","peanut stew","cameroon","high protein","savory"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Ndolé (Cameroonian Bitterleaf & Peanut Stew)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:18:45.774Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:18:45.774Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_17142e2daf","slug":"asida-traditional-african-porridge","title":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge)","description":"A thick, smooth, cooked flour pudding popular across North and East Africa, typically served with melted butter and honey or date syrup for a comforting breakfast.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Sudanese","Libyan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_17142e2daf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e46cb0f8-07cd-453d-8e07-df1274fe8fc9","imageAlt":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge) — recipe cover","tags":["porridge","traditional","sweet","dough","filling","soft"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_e6582a3999","slug":"firfir-ethiopian-breakfast-fit-fit","title":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit)","description":"A classic savory Ethiopian breakfast made with torn pieces of injera soaked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of berbere spice, aromatics, and spiced clarified butter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e6582a3999%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f2f625e4-ee9c-425d-8c20-8e0103664b3e","imageAlt":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit) — recipe cover","tags":["firfir","ethiopian","spicy","breakfast","injera","african"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_18a4e55c12","slug":"kitfo-ethiopian-minced-beef","title":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef)","description":"A traditional Ethiopian delicacy featuring finely minced lean beef seasoned with spicy mitmita and rich, aromatic niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter).","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_18a4e55c12%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aeedadce-d5d5-4aa2-aa31-f13472950759","imageAlt":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef) — recipe cover","tags":["beef","spicy","ethiopian","kitfo","high-protein","african-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}