Namibian-style Spiced Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients

In this Namibian adaptation, we incorporate traditional Namibian spices like kapana spice blend and dried kapana chili to infuse the dish with a fiery kick. Additionally, we use locally available vegetables commonly used in Namibian cuisine, such as bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, to give the dish an authentic Namibian twist. We alse have the original recipe for Zarangollo, so you can check it out.

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced 2 bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced
• 3 tomatoes, diced 3 tomatoes, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5g) kapana spice blend 1 teaspoon (5g) kapana spice blend
• 1 dried kapana chili, crushed 1 dried kapana chili, crushed
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 14g, 8g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the bell peppers and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes and minced garlic, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Sprinkle the kapana spice blend, crushed dried kapana chili, and salt over the vegetables. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
6. 6.
   Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are cooked but still retain their crispness.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
8. 8.
   Serve hot as a main course or as a side dish alongside other Namibian delicacies.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Kapana spice blend — If you can't find kapana spice blend, you can make a substitute by combining equal parts paprika, cumin, coriander, and chili powder.
• Dried kapana chili — Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice preference. You can also substitute with any other dried chili variety available in Namibia.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier meal, you can add cooked rice or quinoa to the stir-fry.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on what is available and in season in Namibia.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less dried kapana chili.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an extra burst of flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day as a delicious cold salad.

Serving advice

Serve the Namibian-style Spiced Vegetable Stir-Fry as a main course with a side of freshly baked bread or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the stir-fry in a vibrant serving dish to showcase the colorful vegetables. Sprinkle some additional kapana spice blend on top for an extra pop of flavor. Serve with a side of freshly baked bread or Namibian staple foods like mahangu porridge or pap.