This Stewed Beef goodness greets us all the way from Nairobi, Kenya. Nyama is a Kenyan Beef Stew recipe that is slowly simmered until the vegetables are very soft and the thick mixture is nearly liquid-free, perfect for scooping up with Homemade Chapati, a type of flatbread.
Table of contents
Ways to Make Beef Stew
Although Nyama can be prepared with goat or chicken, the most popular and traditional version is made with chunks of beef. This aromatic stewed beef is a favorite dish in many Kenyan households because it pairs extremely well with rice or chapati on the side.
How to Store Beef Stew
Refrigerate boof stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze it place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months.
History of Beef Stew
Stews have been made since ancient times. The world’s oldest known evidence of stew was found in Japan, dating to the Jōmon period. Additionally, Herodotus says that the Scythians (8th to 4th centuries BC) “put the flesh into an animal’s paunch, mix water with it, and boil it like that over the bone fire.
The Metropolitan City of Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name comes from the Maasai phrase “Enkare Nyorobi”, which translates to “place of cool waters”, a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper had a population of 4,397,073 in the 2019 census, while the metropolitan area has a population of 9,354,580. The city is popularly referred to as the Green City in the Sun.
A Brief History of Nairobi
The site of Nairobi was originally part of an uninhabited swamp until the late 1890s when it was used as a colonial railway settlement. When the railhead arrived there in 1899, the British colonial capital of Ukamba province was transferred from Machakos (now Masaku) to the site, and in 1905 Nairobi became the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate.
Between 1902 and 1910, the town’s population rose from 5,000 to 16,000 and grew around administration and tourism, initially in the form of big game hunting. After World War II, continuous expansion of the city angered both the Maasai and Kikuyu and led to the Mau Mau Uprising in the 1950s, and the Lancaster House Conferences, which initiated a transition to Kenyan independence in 1963.
Tourism in Nairobi
In addition to its urban core, the city has Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras, and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Nairobi is also often used as a jumping-off point for safari trips elsewhere in Kenya.
The Cuisine of Nairobi, Kenya
In Nairobi, local Kenyan food often includes ugali (the Kenyan staple of maize meal), sukuma wiki (a vegetable similar to collard greens), and often a type of meat stew or wet fry. Chapatis, beans, mung beans, maize, and kachumbari are also delicious additions to any Kenyan meal.
Incorporating the spices of the early Arab settlers, the tastes of the East African Indian railway workers and the sweet offerings of the Swahili coastline, the local food scene is rich and delicious.
– Featured Restaurant –
Open House Restaurant Ltd
Gallant mall, Parklands Road, Opposite Total Station, Nairobi, Kenya
Open House Restaurants have a long successful history of delighting patrons of all ages and ethnic groups. From humble beginnings in small semi-open premises, our captivating food and impeccable service have enabled us to grow. Maintaining the same standards and excelling in others, we now have two wonderful venues to boast.
The Mughals were known for their style and splendor – and their food habits were no different. Rich creamy sauces, aromatic spices, and traditional recipes full of distinctive flavors in a myriad of styles. The marinated tandoori dishes are an inviting treat for small meals or a great accompaniment to the satisfying main courses. Open House caters to the mild eaters as well as the experienced chilly fans. The homemade classic desserts are an exceptionally pleasant way to end the perfect meal
How to Make This Nyama ~ Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe
You should start your stew before starting the chapati. The beef stew will need to simmer for about an hour to reduce the beef stock down to a stew consistency and that is when you want to start your chapati because it needs to rest for about an hour before shaping and cooking.
What You Will Need to Make Kenyan Beef Stew
Layout all of your equipment and ingredients and follow the directions below.
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Dutch Oven
- 1 Stirring Spoon
For the Stew
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1½ lbs beef, cubed
- 1-inch ginger root, minced or grated
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tsp hot paprika
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 small carrots, chopped
- 1 potato, cubed
- 1½ cups beef broth, as needed
For the Chapati
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp white sugar
- vegetable oil for frying
- whole wheat flour for rolling and dusting
Time needed: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
How to Make Kenyan Stewed Beef
- Prepare Your Ingredients
Cut the onion, tomato, carrot, potato, and beef into average hunks.
- Sauté the Onions and Brown the Beef
In a large dutch oven, brown the onions in oil over medium heat. Then increase the heat to high, add the beef, and brown.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients
Add the ginger, garlic, hot paprika, curry, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, the stock, and season with salt.
- Simmer and Reduce the Stew
Simmer uncovered until thick and pasty and all broth has reduced away. This takes about an hour.
- Serve the Stew
Remove from heat and serve with fresh chapati.
- To Make the Chapati
In a large mixing bowl add 3 cups of flour.
- Mix the Liquid Ingredients
Add salt, sugar, 2 tbsp of oil, and 1 ½ cups of water in a separate jar/ bowl. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.
- Add Liquid Mix
Add the liquid mixture to the flour bowl and mix well.
- Knead for 10 Minutes
Keep kneading for 10 minutes and add flour if needed until the dough becomes non-sticky. Add 2-3 tbsp of oil and continue kneading until the oil mixes well and the dough is soft. Cover the dough and leave it for 40 minutes.
- Divide the Dough
After the 40 minutes, divide the dough into 10 – 15 equal parts making ball-like shapes. Arrange them on a flat surface dusted with flour(Cover with a damp tablecloth to avoid drying).
- Dust with Flour
Dust flour in the flat place and take one of the balls and start rolling with a rolling pin to a circular shape, brush oil on top and roll it inwards to form a shape like a rope, then create a coil-like shape and press the ball down with your palm to make it flat. Repeat this process to the rest of the remaining balls of dough.
- Roll the Dough
Next, start rolling each of the coil-like shape doughs with the rolling pin to form a circular shape again.
- Fry the Chapati
In a hot pan, place the rolled-out circular chapati and fry each side with little oil until its golden brown on medium heat. Place your cooked chapati in a flat plate and cover with aluminum foil.
- Repeat until Done
Repeat this step to the rest of the dough.
You can personalize this recipe your own way. Add some green peppers, courgettes, or peas to this and it will still be tasty. Try it and Enjoy it!
If you liked this dish please Rate This Recipe and leave a comment.
Nyama ~ Kenyan Beef Stew
Please Rate this Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
For the Stew
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 small carrot chopped
- 1 russet potatoes cubed
- 1½ lbs beef roast cubed
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 inch ginger root minced or 1¼ tsp of ground ginger
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 tsp hot paprika
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1½ cups beef broth as needed
- salt to taste
For the Chapati
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp white sugar
- vegetable oil for frying
- whole wheat flour for rolling and dusting
Instructions
For the Stew
- Cut the onion, tomato, carrot, potato, and beef into average hunks.1 large yellow onion, 2 tomatoes, 2 small carrot, 1 russet potatoes, 1½ lbs beef roast
- In a large dutch oven, brown the onions in oil over medium heat. Then increase the heat to high, add the beef, and brown.1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Add the ginger, garlic, hot paprika, curry, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, the stock, and season with salt.1 inch ginger root, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp hot paprika, 1 tbsp curry powder, 1½ cups beef broth, salt
- Simmer uncovered until thick and pasty and all broth has reduced away. This takes about an hour.
- Remove from heat and serve with fresh chapati.
For the Chipi
- In a large mixing bowl add 3 cups of flour.3 cups whole wheat flour
- Add salt, sugar, 2 tbsp of oil, and 1 ½ cups of water in a separate jar/ bowl. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.1 cup water, 1 tsp salt, vegetable oil, 1 tsp white sugar
- Add the liquid mixture in step 2 to the flour bowl (step 1) and mix well.
- Keep kneading for 10 minutes and add flour if needed until the dough becomes non-sticky. Add 2-3 tbsp of oil and continue kneading until the oil mixes well and the dough is soft. Cover the dough and leave it for 40 minutes.
- After the 40 minutes, divide the dough into 10 – 15 equal parts making ball-like shapes. Arrange them on a flat surface dusted with flour(Cover with a damp tablecloth to avoid drying).whole wheat flour
- Dust flour in the flat place and take one of the balls and start rolling with a rolling pin to a circular shape, brush oil on top and roll it inwards to form a shape like a rope, then create a coil-like shape and press the ball down with your palm to make it flat. Repeat this process to the rest of the remaining balls of dough.
- Next, start rolling each of the coil-like shape doughs with the rolling pin to form a circular shape again.
- In a hot pan, place the rolled-out circular chapati and fry each side with little oil until it's golden brown on medium heat. Place your cooked chapati in a flat plate and cover with aluminum foil.
- Repeat this step to the rest of the coil-like dough.
Nutrition
Other Recipes That Will Go Well With Kenyan Beef Stew
Photo Credits:
- By Taste The World Cookbook – Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
- By Open House Restaurant Ltd – By https://www.openhouserestaurant.co.ke/
- By afromusing – Flickr: Nairobi Skyline, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29600773
- By Nairobi123 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34811452
- By Allan Kamaliki – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49475045
- By Bobokine – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8335981
- By Africanmodern – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48523304
