Ghanaian · intermediate
Ghanaian Kontomire Spinach Stew With Tilapia
A vibrant, traditional Ghanaian green stew enriched with ground seed paste, warm spices, and tender poached tilapia fillets.
- PREP TIME
- 15 min
- COOK TIME
- 25 min
- SERVES
- 4
Good things
start in the kitchen.
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
Heat red palm oil in a deep skillet over medium heat for 1 minute.
- 02
Add diced yellow onion, grated ginger, and minced Scotch bonnet pepper; sauté for 4 minutes until onion is softened.
- 03
Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, mashing slightly until reduced to a coarse sauce.
- 04
Mix ground pumpkin seeds with warm water into a thick paste, then spoon small mounds into the sauce without stirring; cover and steam for 4 minutes to curdle slightly.
- 05
Gently break up the pumpkin seed clusters, then fold in chopped spinach and cook for 3 minutes until wilted.
- 06
Nestle tilapia chunks gently into the greens, cover skillet, and simmer over low heat for 8 minutes until fish is cooked through.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Steam-Curdling Seed Paste
Steaming seed paste atop a cooking base without stirring allows proteins to set into tender curd-like bites.
Notes from the kitchen
- Ground pumpkin seeds replicate egusi seeds commonly used in West African cooking, adding body and rich protein.
- Handle tilapia pieces carefully after poaching to keep the fish fillets intact.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Ghanaian; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.