Photo from lowcarbafrica.com
Poulet Moambé, a beloved dish in Comorian and Central African cuisine, combines tender chicken simmered in a rich, aromatic sauce made from palm nut paste and spices. This savory stew, often enjoyed with rice or steamed cassava, brings the exotic flavors of the Comoros to your plate with a blend of warm spices and hearty ingredients. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is a comfort food staple in the islands.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (about 3 lb or 1.4 kg), cut into pieces
1/2 cup (120 ml) red palm oil or vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch (2.5 cm) piece of ginger, grated
1/2 cup (125 g) moambé sauce (palm nut paste)
2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth or water
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp (2 g) paprika
Fresh parsley or coriander for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Brown the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and brown on all sides. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce: Add the moambé sauce, chopped tomatoes, and bell pepper to the pot, stirring well to combine with the onions and spices.
Simmer with Chicken: Return the browned chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Add paprika, then cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Final Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley or coriander if desired.
Serving
Serve Poulet Moambé over a bed of steamed rice, boiled cassava, or plantains to soak up the delicious sauce. Enjoy this hearty dish warm, garnished with herbs.
Poulet Moambé is a flavorful chicken dish from the Comoros that brings out the essence of island flavors with each bite. The rich sauce combined with tender chicken is a perfect main course for any occasion and a delightful way to explore Comorian cuisine.
