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An incredibly rich and delicious African peanut stew, this Domoda recipe tastes even better the next day! Domoda is the nationao dish of Gambia and deservedly so because it is so flavorful and delicious!
What is Domoda?
Domoda is the national dish of Gambia. It is a delicious “groundnut stew” (peanuts) consisting of whatever vegetable happens to be available, typically pumpkin or sweet potatoes, and a saucy base. Whether vegetarian or including meat, the base is pretty consistent: A rich and flavorful sauce featuring ground peanut paste (or natural, unsweetened peanut butter), fresh tomatoes, and tomato paste. Caramelized onions, chicken and tomato stock, and hot chili peppers are also added. Maggi bouillon cubes are readily available in many parts of Africa and are commonly used in African cooking, including this dish.
Situated in West Africa, Gambia was a British commonwealth until 1965 when it gained independence. The land is relatively more fertile than other parts of Africa and Gambia’s economy is dominated by farming, fishing and tourism. Thus, they’re able to grow things like the pumpkins and sweet potatoes that are common to Gambian cuisine.
Though Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, it’s culture and history are diverse. Some of this history was popularized in the Alex Haley book and TV series “Roots,” parts of which were set in the Gambia.
A very poor country, a third of Gambia’s population lives below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day. Vegetarian dishes are common in Gambia because of the expense of meat. Domoda is often eaten without meat as well. But when a Gambian family is able to enjoy a little luxury, they’ll often add chicken or beef to this national dish. It’s humbling preparing something that by our standards is simple and relatively inexpensive, knowing that for other countries, like many households in Gambia, it’s a luxury. I’ve made this dish different times with beef and chicken and they’re both delicious. This time I used beef, but chicken can be used interchangeably (the resulting stew will be a little lighter in color).
This Daring Gourmet version is true to authentic roots. It’s asimple dish to make with a rich and rewarding flavor. This is African comfort food at its best, folks, and believe me, it’s a winner!
Domoda Recipe
Let’s get started!
Heat the oil in large Dutch oven or heavy saucepan. Saute the onions until golden. Add the beef and garlic and continue to sauté until the beef is no longer pink. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes.
Add the tomato paste, chilies, peanut butter and stir to combine.
Add the water and bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add squash, cover, and continue to cook for 35-40 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve hot with rice. This stew tastes even better the next day.
For more delicious African dishes be sure to try our:
- Doro Wat
- Sega Wat
- African Chicken Peanut Stew
- Gomen
- Misir Wat
- Bobotie
- Injera
African Peanut Stew (Domoda)
Kimberly Killebrew
The national dish of Gambia. A thick, saucy stew served over rice.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef steak or 1 lb chicken breast cut into 1/2 inch chunks (or use bone-in chicken pieces and simmer them in the sauce; once cooked leave the pieces whole or remove the meat from the bones and add it back to the stew.)
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1/2 can 3 oz tomato paste
- 3/4 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
- 4 Maggi or Knorr tomato bouillon cubes
- 3 cups water
- Scotch bonnet chilies diced, according to heat preference
- 4 cups pumpkin or sweet potato diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat the oil in large Dutch oven. Saute the onions until golden. Add the beef and garlic and continue to sauté until the beef is no longer pink. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste, chilies, peanut butter and stir to combine. Add the water and bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add squash, cover, and continue to cook for 35-40 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve hot with rice. This stew tastes even better the next day.
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet March 2, 2013
FAQs
Domoda is the national dish of Gambia. It is a delicious “groundnut stew” (peanuts) consisting of whatever vegetable happens to be available, typically pumpkin or sweet potatoes, and a saucy base.
What is Domoda made of? ›
It usually contains peanut butter or peanut paste, tomatoes and/or tomato paste, chili peppers, and a vegetable such as sweet potatoes, carrots, or pumpkin. In Senegal, the dish is called mafe. It is made with tomatoes, is spicy, and often served over rice.
Where did peanut stew come from in West Africa? ›
mafé, a West African dish consisting of meat in a peanut or peanut butter sauce served over rice or couscous. It originated in Mali and spread across the region, particularly in Senegal and the Gambia, during the colonial period, when efforts were undertaken to increase production of groundnuts.
What is peanut and squash stew made of? ›
The main ingredient is peanuts, but kale and butternut squash make this a delicious, hearty stew, along with vegetable broth, jalapenos, harissa paste, ginger, and some ground spices.
What is the taboo in Gambia? ›
Taboo topics
These include female genital mutilation, politics, tribal politics, hom*osexuality, criticism of their religion and certain cultural practices such as polygamy.
What do Gambian eat for breakfast? ›
Tapalapa and Senfurr are the two most popular breads used in Gambian breakfasts, snacks, and dinners. It's often enjoyed with butter, chocolate spread or a selection of sauces like bean paste, gronesoup ( smoked fish sauce with lemon, spice, onions, and chilli), bullet or fishball stew, or hearty steaks.
What is the most popular food in Gambia? ›
The most common food served in a Gambian home is white rice with any one of a number of spicy sauces. Domoda is the most popular dish in my experience, in fact I was once offered it three times in one day.
What is a traditional dish of Mandinka? ›
Domoda is a Mandinka traditional dish, a delicious groundnut stew mixed with spices, meat (chicken or fish) and vegetables. It is a very famous food in The Gambia and Senegal.
What is the history of Domoda? ›
The roots of Domoda trace back to the Mandinka tribe—one of Gambia's largest ethnic groups. Peanuts, a key ingredient in Domoda, are abundant in Gambia. Over time, they found their way into various dishes, including this beloved stew. Historically, cooking was a communal activity in Gambian society.
What are peanuts called in Africa? ›
In many parts of Africa, peanuts are usually known as groundnuts because the nut pods grow underground. Peanuts play an important nutritional role in many parts of Africa since they have good fats and contain 7 grams of protein which helps combat child malnutrition.
There is evidence that ancient South American Incas were the first to grind peanuts to make peanut butter. In the U.S., Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of cereal fame) invented a version of peanut butter in 1895. Then it is believed that a St.
Is fufu West African food? ›
fufu, a popular dish in western and central African countries and, due to African migration, in the Caribbean as well.
Why is it called hobo stew? ›
Mulligan stew, also known as hobo stew, is a type of stew said to have been prepared by American hobos in camps in the early 1900s. Another variation of mulligan stew is "community stew", a stew put together by several homeless people by combining whatever food they have or can collect.
What's the difference between a stew and a casserole? ›
There is little difference between a casserole and a stew. A purist would say that a casserole goes in the oven, heating the dish from all directions, while a stew goes on the stovetop and is heated from the bottom. Another point of difference is a casserole is the name of the pot used for cooking.
What is the difference between stew and Irish stew? ›
The main difference between an Irish stew and classic beef stew comes down to the protein. Traditional Irish stew is usually made with lamb, while beef stew is always made with beef. Our version includes beef chuck, which is less traditional, but easy to make and equally delicious.
What is the famous food of Gambia? ›
Domoda. This peanut-based dish is probably the most cooked dish in The Gambia and comes served with white rice. Domoda is made from peanuts with tomato paste, mustard, black pepper and onions.
Is fufu a Gambian? ›
In Twi, fufu or fufuo means "mash or mix", a soft and doughy staple food. It is believed to originate in what is now modern-day Ghana, by the Asante, the Akuapem, the Akyem, the Bono and the Fante people of the Akan ethnic group of Ghana and now generally accepted across the country.
Did Gambia invent Jollof rice? ›
According to African food historian Fran Osseo-Asare, the origins of the dish can be traced to north Senegal, which was ruled by the Wolof or Jolof Empire in the 14th century, spanning parts of today's Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania, where rice was grown, and which is known as thieboudienne or thiebou djeun, which ...
What is Gambia most known for? ›
The country is known for the beaches along its small Atlantic coastline and for being home to Jufureh (Juffure), the reputed ancestral village of Kunta Kinte, the main character in Alex Haley's well-known novel Roots.
