Agbanmé Déssi (Light Beef Tomato Stew)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Servings: 6 servings

Country of Origin

Togo

Description

A lighter, brothier tomato-based Togolese stew cooked with seared beef slices, sweet onions, garlic, and fresh thyme, perfect over cooked grains.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Ladled generously over steamed white rice, cooked millet, or Akoumé.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs beef tenderloin or sirloin, thinly sliced

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 medium yellow onions, sliced into rings

• 4 ripe Roma tomatoes, chopped

• 3 tbsp tomato paste

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 habanero pepper, pierced

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

• Sear Beef: Season beef slices with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat; sear beef for 5 minutes until browned. Remove meat and set aside.

• Cook Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onion rings and minced garlic to pan; cook for 5 minutes until soft.

• Simmer Tomatoes: Stir in tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes until tomatoes break down into a light sauce.

• Combine & Simmer: Pour in beef broth, thyme, pierced habanero, and seared beef. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20–25 minutes until beef is tender and broth reduces slightly.

• Serve: Season with salt and serve hot over rice.

Optional

• Vegetable Additions: Add sliced bell peppers during last 10 minutes of cooking for extra crunch.

Cooking Tips

• Thin Slicing: Slicing beef against grain yields tender meat that cooks quickly in light broth.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on 6 servings)

• Calories: ~270 kcal

• Total Fat: 14g

• Saturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 60mg

• Sodium: 380mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 9g

• Dietary Fiber: 2g

• Sugars: 4g

• Protein: 26g