Ghanaian Spiced Meatball Stew

Ingredients

• Meatballs: Meatballs:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Stew: Stew:
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 4 tomatoes, diced 4 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For serving: For serving:
• Steamed rice or boiled yam Steamed rice or boiled yam

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, ginger powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the diced red and green bell peppers to the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
5. 5.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, thyme, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
7. 7.
   Gently add the meatballs to the pot, making sure they are submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
8. 8.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
9. 9.
   Serve the Ghanaian Spiced Meatball Stew hot with steamed rice or boiled yam.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Make sure to use lean ground beef for healthier meatballs. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a combination of ground beef and ground pork.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier stew, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a chopped chili pepper.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the stew after cooking to achieve a more uniform texture.
• Feel free to add additional vegetables such as carrots or peas to the stew for added nutrition and flavor.
• To save time, you can prepare the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them until ready to use.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick and delicious meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Ghanaian Spiced Meatball Stew hot with a generous portion of steamed rice or boiled yam. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for added freshness.

Presentation advice

When serving the stew, arrange the meatballs on top of the rice or yam and pour the flavorful sauce over them. Sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs on top for an attractive presentation.