Ndolè: Cameroon's Most Popular Dish

By Tolowoetan Ayomide Omolara 

About Cameroon 

Cameroon is a west-central African country well known for being bilingual (French and English) and for its very diverse culture giving it the name Africa in Miniature.

Cameroon is called 'Africa in miniature' because It has great cultural, ethnic and geographic diversity. It has beautiful tropical, palm fringed beaches with white or black sand, high mountains and volcanoes, game parks, Sahel landscape and deserts, big lakes and impenetrable tropical forests full of wild animals like chimpanzee, gorilla, forest elephant and buffalo. 16 million people of more than 250 ethnic groups speaking approximately 200 different languages comprise the population of Cameroon. Many of these ethnic groups have preserved their age old, original traditions, dances and art. If you want welcoming and hospitable people, you'll find it all in Cameroon!

Amongst all of this diverse culture, it is the food that has made the country known and loved around the world. Food has a huge role to play in the different regions of Cameroon, celebrating an upcoming event or season to binding ties in marriage. Although times have changed and modern techniques have made their way into the country, most people still prefer traditional ways of cooking: using firewood, cooking in leaves (for papillote), or using traditional grinding stones. Elders say these add a distinct flavor to the food. But the secret in the delight of Cameroonian dishes lies not only in the cooking methods. It also comes from the unique ingredients dry local spices (grains, leaves, tree bark), dried shrimps, called écrevisses in French, habanero pepper, smoked fish, red palm oil, bouillon cubes, and many more. 

The dish you are about to see is not only the most popular in Cameroon but also the most loved by visitors -it is a dish you need to taste if you are new to Cameroonian cuisine. Sit tight and enjoy the ride because it's going to be a delicious one.

Ndolè

Ndolé is a traditional dish of the Duala people of one of the coastal regions of Cameroon. It is a peanut-based stew made with ndolé leaves (also called bitter leaves), crayfish, beef, and spices. The whole thing is served with miondo (a starchy mixture of ground cassava tied up in banana leaves) or plantain.

Ingredients (Immaculate bites )

1. 2 Tablespoons Maggi (Bouillon)
2. 1 large Onion (sliced)
3. 1 pound (about 2 cups)Groundnuts/Peanuts(Skinless)
4. 1/2 pound shrimp
5. 1/2 pound stockfish
6. 1/2-1 pound Stew beef (cut in chunks)
7. 4-5 garlic cloves
8. 3/4 cup Crayfish (ground)
9. 3/4 -1 pound Washed bitterleaves (sub frozen spinach)
10. 2-3 cups oil

Instructions (Immaculate bites) 

 In a large pan season meat with salt, maggi and onions and boil until tender depending on the choice of meat. Meanwhile, boil stock fish with salt and water; add it to the boiled meat. You should have about 3 cups of stock from the meat and stock fish. Reserve the rest or freeze it.

Boil peanuts for about 10 minutes in a sauce pan. Let it cool and blend/pulse in a food processor or blender into a fine consistency, use water to facilitate the blending. Add to the mixture of beef and stockfish.

Blend one onion and garlic into a fine paste and add to the mixture of peanuts and meat.

Pour in the crayfish and let it simmer for 10 minutes stirring frequently to prevent burns. Season with salt and Maggi. You might have to add more later

Add the bitter leaves or spinach to the pot. Stir and simmer for several minutes more

While the pot of ndole is simmering, heat oil in a fry pan or, preferably a cast iron. Add the shrimp, stirring constantly until they just turn pink. Slice and add the remaining onions stir for a few more minutes.

Finally incorporate the mixture of shrimp, onions and oil into the pot of Ndole. Stir for a few minutes and serve hot with miondo/Bobolo (fermented cassava) or plantain (boiled or fried).

Nutrition Information (Immaculate bites) 

Calories: 668kcal (33%) | Carbohydrates: 18g (6%)| Protein: 47g (94%) | Fat: 47g (72%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Cholesterol: 214mg (71%) | Sodium: 964mg (42%) | Potassium: 1255mg (36%) | Fiber: 4g (17%)| Sugar: 1g (1%)| Vitamin A: 9100IU (182%) | Vitamin C: 113.8mg (138%)| Calcium: 297mg (30%)| Iron: 5.6mg (31%)

Conclusion 

Ndolé is one of African's cuisine, and the most popular dish in Cameroon. You'll find it at nearly all ceremonies and banquets. When asking tourists what they most loved about their stay in Cameroon, they'll always name this dish.

Keywords 

• Cameroon 
• Africa in miniature 
• African foods 
• Duala people 
• Food
• Cameroonian dishes
• Ndolè 
• Traditional dishes
• African's cuisine