Gboma Déssi (Beef and Spinach Stew)

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Country of Origin

Togo

Description

A rich, savory Togolese stew featuring tender chunks of beef cooked down in a spiced tomato-ginger sauce with wilted fresh spinach or local gboma greens and smoked fish powder.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Ladled into shallow bowls and served hot alongside Akoumé (corn dough), Fufu, or steamed white rice.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes

• 1 lb fresh spinach (or gboma greens), washed and chopped

• 1/4 cup red palm oil or vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, half chopped and half sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

• 3 ripe tomatoes, blended

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp smoked fish powder

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, pierced

• Salt and seasoning cube, to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

• Sear Beef: Season beef cubes with salt, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pot and sear beef for 6–8 minutes until browned. Add 1 cup water and simmer until tender; set aside.

• Prepare Sauce: In a separate pot, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions for 4 minutes, then stir in tomato paste and blended tomatoes. Cook for 12 minutes until reduced.

• Combine & Simmer: Add seared beef with its juices, beef broth, smoked fish powder, and whole Scotch bonnet pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

• Add Greens: Stir in chopped spinach in batches. Cook for 5–7 minutes until greens are wilted and incorporated into stew. Adjust seasoning with salt.

• Serve: Discard Scotch bonnet pepper and serve hot.

Optional

• Seafood Boost: Add whole smoked fish or dried shrimp for added West African flavor depth.

Cooking Tips

• Blanch Greens: Blanching spinach briefly in boiling water and squeezing out excess liquid prevents stew from becoming watery.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on 6 servings)

• Calories: ~320 kcal

• Total Fat: 18g

• Saturated Fat: 6g

• Cholesterol: 70mg

• Sodium: 480mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 10g

• Dietary Fiber: 3g

• Sugars: 4g

• Protein: 30g