Maasai-inspired Beef Stew with Traditional Spices

Ingredients

In this Maasai-inspired version, we have replaced some of the original ingredients with Maasai-specific spices and flavors. The traditional Filipino batchoy soup has been transformed into a rich beef stew, and the noodles have been replaced with maize meal or ugali, a staple in Maasai cuisine. The addition of Maasai spices gives this dish a unique and vibrant flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Batchoy, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 liter (4 cups) beef broth 1 liter (4 cups) beef broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Maize meal or ugali, for serving Maize meal or ugali, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes, and cook for a few minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, and chili powder to the pot, and stir well to coat the ingredients.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 hour or until the beef is tender.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Serve the Maasai-inspired beef stew hot with maize meal or ugali.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Maize meal or ugali — Follow the package instructions to prepare the maize meal or ugali. It should have a thick consistency, similar to polenta.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier stew, increase the amount of chili powder or add fresh chili peppers.
• You can add additional vegetables such as green beans or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the Maasai-inspired beef stew hot with a generous portion of maize meal or ugali. The stew can be garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Maasai-inspired beef stew in a deep bowl, with the maize meal or ugali placed in the center. Drizzle some of the flavorful broth over the maize meal for an appealing presentation.