African Culinary Journey – The delicious Djerma Stew, the National Dish of Niger Republic

Djerma stew is Niger’s national dish. It’s a meat stew (usually made with chicken) flavored with peanut butter.

Djerma is a traditional stew originating from Niger. It is made with a combination of chicken, onions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, curry powder, peanut butter, and bouillon cubes. In order to prepare it, chicken, onions, and garlic should first be sautéed in oil, then combined with tomatoes, thyme, curry powder, and bouillon cubes, with a small amount of water.

Once done, the dish is traditionally served for lunch, accompanied by rice.

Nigerienne Djerma stew, also known as “riz au gras” or “fari masa,” is from the Djerma people in Niger, West Africa. It is a flavorful and hearty stew that typically consists of rice, meat, vegetables, and a blend of spices. It can be made with meat or without. Traditionally, if a meat version is being cooked, chicken is usually the meat of choice. In Niger, rice is the main staple and many stews like Djerma are eaten with it.

How to prepare:

Ingredients

• chickens (cut into parts)    – 3 ½ lb.
• medium onion (sliced) – 1
• clove garlic (minced) – 1
• paprika                 1 tbsp.
• tomatoes / 2 cups of tomato puree
• dried thyme – 1 ½ tsp.
• curry powder – ¼ tsp.
• bay leaf – 1
• crumbled bouillon cubes – 1 tbsp.
• cups sliced carrots – 1-2
• Chopped parsley leaves – 3 tbsp.
• chives (sliced) – 2
• peanut butter – 2 ½ tbsp.
• cup oil – ¼ – ½
• Salt                       
• Pepper                 

Directions for Preparing Djerma Stew

1. Wash the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven pot and add the chicken.
3. Fry the chicken until brown on all sides.
4. Create a tomato and seasoning mixture by blending together the fresh tomatoes, onions, and garlic, then add this to the chicken and stir well.
5. If using tomato puree, add the onions to the chicken and brown, then add the puree and garlic.
6. Add the smoked paprika, curry powder, bay leaf, and crumbled bouillon cubes.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
8. Cook the chicken for about thirty (0:30) minutes or until it is tender.
9. Add two cups of water to the stew, then add the parsley, carrots, and chives.
10. Cook for five (0:05) minutes until the carrots are tender.
11. Remove a cup of liquid from the stew and whisk with the peanut butter in a separate bowl.
12. Pour this peanut butter and sauce mixture back into the pot.
13. Allow the stew to simmer until thickened.
14. Adjust the salt and pepper, then remove and discard the bay leaf.
15. Serve the Djerma Stew over steamed rice

Meals in Niger usually start with colorful salads made from seasonal vegetables. Typical Nigerien meals consist of starch (rice being the most popular) paired with a sauce or stew. The stews are usually made with vegetables because meat is very scarce. The starches eaten most often are millet and rice. Staple foods include millet, rice, cassava, sorghum, maize, and beans.

So for those of you us who are adventurous with trying out new dishes, the Djerma stew is another dish you should try on your taste buds.