Liberian-style Spiced Lamb Stew

Ingredients

In this Liberian adaptation of Rogan Josh, we incorporate the unique flavors and ingredients of Liberian cuisine. While the original Indian dish uses yogurt as a base, we substitute it with coconut milk to add a creamy and tropical twist. Additionally, we enhance the spiciness by incorporating scotch bonnet peppers, a staple in Liberian cooking. The use of local vegetables such as cassava, plantains, and okra adds a distinct Liberian touch to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Rogan josh, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless lamb, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) boneless lamb, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and finely chopped 2 scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 400ml (1 ¾ cups) coconut milk 400ml (1 ¾ cups) coconut milk
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups cassava, peeled and cubed 2 cups cassava, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups plantains, peeled and sliced 2 cups plantains, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup okra, sliced 1 cup okra, sliced
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 18g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 8g
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until golden brown.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped scotch bonnet peppers. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the cubed lamb to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, combine the ground coriander, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the lamb and stir well to coat.
5. 5.
   Pour in the coconut milk, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
6. 6.
   Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, or until the lamb is tender.
7. 7.
   Add the cassava, plantains, and okra to the pot. Cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.
8. 8.
   Season with salt to taste.
9. 9.
   Serve the Liberian-style Spiced Lamb Stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cassava — Make sure to peel and cube the cassava before adding it to the stew. Cassava can be quite starchy, so it's important to cook it until it becomes tender.
• Plantains — Choose ripe plantains for a slightly sweet flavor. Peel and slice them before adding to the stew.
• Okra — Slice the okra into rounds and add it towards the end of the cooking process to retain its texture and prevent it from becoming slimy.
• Scotch bonnet peppers — Handle with caution as they are very spicy. Remove the seeds for a milder heat or adjust the quantity according to your preference.
• Coconut milk — Shake the can of coconut milk well before using to ensure the cream and liquid are well combined.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, marinate the lamb in the spice mixture for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer scotch bonnet peppers.
• Serve the stew with steamed rice or traditional Liberian fufu for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify over time.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as carrots or bell peppers to customize the stew to your liking.

Serving advice

Serve the Liberian-style Spiced Lamb Stew in deep bowls, accompanied by a generous portion of steamed rice or fufu. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some additional chopped cilantro on top of the stew just before serving. The vibrant colors of the vegetables will make the dish visually appealing.