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Ndolé (Cameroonian National Dish with Bitter Leaves and Peanuts) — Cameroonian Cuisine Cameroonian recipe, 45 min, serves 6Cameroonian

Ndolé (Cameroonian National Dish with Bitter Leaves and Peanuts)

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KetoLow carbGluten-freeDairy-freeHigh protein

Ndolé is the national dish of Cameroon — bitter leaves (ndoleh, or its substitute spinach) simmered with ground peanuts, beef and shrimp into a rich, nutty stew. Served with boiled plantains, yam or miondo (fermented cassava sticks).

45
min
15
prep
🔥
30
cook
👥
6
servings
450
kcal / serving
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Instructions

1

Si spinach fresh : lavez and chop. Blanchissez 5 minutes in of the water bouillante. Drain and pressez for remove the excès of water.

5:00
2

Faites revenir the onions and the garlic in the oil.

3:00
3

Add the viande or the shrimp. Cook until coloration and well cooked à cœur — si shrimp, until this qu'they soient roses and fermes.

6:00
4

Diluez the peanut paste in 200ml of water tiède. Add à the pot with the shrimp séchées and the broth.

5

Add the leaves. Mijotez 20 minutes in remuant régulièrement until what the sauce épaississe.

20:00
6

Serve with of the plantain fried, of the rice or of the miondo (bâton of cassava).

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Common Questions

Where trouver the leaves of ndolé?
In the épiceries africaines, often vendues congelées. The spinach are the alternative the more accessible.
Can-one prepare à the avance ?
Vous pouvez cut the vegetables à the avance. For the better résultat, cook juste before of serve.
Can-one réduire the recipe of half ?
Oui. Divisez tous the ingredients by deux. The temps of cuisson reste approximativement the same.
Where trouver the ingredients africains ?
The épiceries africaines or the marchés spécialisés. Much of ingredients are also disponibles in ligne.
Can-one adapter with some ingredients locaux ?
Oui, the substitutions are indiquées in chaque recipe when c'is possible.

What to drink with this

🍷
Wine
Sancerre or unoaked Chardonnay.
🍺
Beer
Cameroonian 33 Export.
🍸
Cocktail
Pineapple-ginger highball.
🥤
Non-alcoholic
Folere (hibiscus) drink or ginger juice.
The story behind this recipe ▾
Ndolé takes its name from the bitter leaves ('ndoleh' in Duala) that are its base — a plant closely related to Vernonia amygdalina, with a bitter taste that mellows in long cooking. Outside Cameroon, fresh or frozen ndoleh is hard to find; spinach blanched with a pinch of bitter melon (or simply spinach) is the common substitute. The dish originates with the Duala and Bakweri peoples of the coastal region around Douala. Ground peanuts form a thick, protein-rich base — a technique shared across West and Central African cuisines. Ndolé is often served at weddings and major celebrations.
This recipe is for inspiration only. We do not provide food safety, storage, or nutritional advice. Always follow your local food safety guidelines. Check all ingredients for allergens.
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