West African > Stew

Locust Bean and Pigeon Pea Stew Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 cup of pigeon peas
- 2 cups of water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons of palm oil
- 2 tablespoons of ground crayfish
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon of locust bean seasoning
- 2 cups of chopped spinach
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped

Special equipment needed:
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Rinse the pigeon peas and place them in a large pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Let the peas simmer for 30 minutes or until tender.

2. In another pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent.

3. Add the ground crayfish, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir well.

4. Add the locust bean seasoning to the pot and stir well.

5. Add the chopped spinach, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the pot and stir well.

6. Add the cooked pigeon peas and their cooking liquid to the pot and stir well.

7. Let the stew simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

8. Serve hot with your favorite side dish.


Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Temperature:
Medium heat
Serving size:
4-6 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories: 200
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 10g
Fiber: 6g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use any type of bean instead of pigeon peas.
- If you don't have palm oil, you can use vegetable oil.
- If you don't have ground crayfish, you can use shrimp paste.

Variations:
- You can add chicken or beef to the stew for a meatier version.
- You can add other vegetables such as carrots or potatoes to the stew.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to rinse the pigeon peas before cooking them.
- Don't overcook the vegetables, they should be tender but still have a bit of crunch.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Storage instructions:
- Store the leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat the stew in a pot over medium heat until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the stew in a bowl with a side of rice or bread.

Garnishes:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.

Pairings:
- Serve with rice, bread, or yams.

Suggested side dishes:
- Fried plantains
- Steamed vegetables
- Salad

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the stew is too thick, add more water or broth.
- If the stew is too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to thicken.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to cook the pigeon peas thoroughly to avoid any foodborne illnesses.

Food history:
- Locust bean seasoning is a traditional West African seasoning made from the seeds of the locust bean tree.

Flavor profiles:
- The stew has a rich and savory flavor with a hint of sweetness from the bell peppers.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the stew as a main dish for lunch or dinner.

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Region: West African

Taste: Savory, Spicy, Tangy, Earthy, Herbal, Aromatic