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Ndole and Plantains
Original price was: ₱500.00.₱400.00Current price is: ₱400.00.
Ndolé is the national dish of Cameroon, a rich and creamy stew made from bitterleaf and ground peanuts, typically served with boiled or fried plantains. The combination is a staple at special occasions, embodying a balance of bitter, sweet, savory, and nutty flavors.
Ndolé: The rich and earthy stew
Ingredients and preparation
The heart of ndolé is a blend of bitter leaves and a thick peanut paste.
- Bitter leaves (ndoleh): The leafy greens must be washed and scrubbed repeatedly to remove most of their bitterness, a labor-intensive process that is key to the dish’s flavor.
- Peanut base: Boiled peanuts are ground into a smooth, creamy paste that forms the base of the stew. This makes the final dish hearty and high in protein.
- Protein: Beef, smoked fish, and shrimp are the most common proteins, added to simmer with the peanut and bitterleaf mixture.
- Seasonings: Aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, ginger, and crayfish are used to flavor the stew.
- Cooking process: The meat is boiled until tender, and the softened bitter leaves are added to the simmering peanut paste. All the ingredients are then cooked together, allowing the flavors to meld into a savory, aromatic stew.
Flavor and texture
- Rich and savory: The combination of ground peanuts, meat, and crayfish powder creates a deep, nutty, and savory taste.
- Complex layers: The dish has a subtle, earthy bitterness from the bitterleaf, which is expertly balanced by the richness of the peanuts.
- Thick and creamy: The stew’s consistency is thick and creamy, perfect for pairing with a starchy side dish.
Plantains: The perfect sweet and starchy complement
Ripeness matters
Plantains are a staple starch in many tropical regions and are central to the experience of eating ndolé. They are prepared differently depending on their ripeness.
- Boiled plantains: Unripe (green) or semi-ripe (yellow-green) plantains are boiled until soft and tender. Their firm, starchy texture and milder taste provide a neutral and substantial counterpart that absorbs the flavors of the ndolé.
- Fried plantains (maduros): Ripe (black or very yellow) plantains are fried until golden and caramelized. The sweet, soft texture and buttery flavor of the maduros offer a sweet contrast to the savory, umami-rich stew.
Cultural significance
The pairing of ndolé with plantains creates a complete, balanced, and culturally significant meal.
- Symbol of hospitality: Serving ndolé with plantains is a gesture of hospitality in Cameroon, especially during special occasions, festivals, and family gatherings.
- Taste of home: For many, the dish evokes a sense of community, tradition, and nostalgia.
- Intentional contrast: The pairing of savory, nutty ndolé with the soft, starchy, and sometimes sweet plantains is intentional, creating a harmony of flavors and textures.
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