African Calulu De Peixe Recipe (Fish & Vegetable Stew)
Fish Calulu, also known as Calulu de Peixe, is a traditional Angolan and São Toméan fish stew made with a variety of vegetables and typically prepared with palm oil.
Ingredients
- Codfish fillets, cut into large bite-sized pieces - 2 lbs
- Onion, finely chopped - 1
- Garlic cloves, minced - 3 to 4
- Medium-sized tomatoes, diced - 3 to 4
- Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
- Green bell pepper, diced - 1
- Eggplant, diced into cubes - 1 cup
- Okras, stems removed and chopped diagonally - 8 pieces
- Spinach (you can substitute kale, sweet potato leaves, collard greens or cassava leaves) - 1 lb
- Bay leaves - 2
- Salt - to taste
- Pepper - to taste
- Water - 1 cup
- Red palm oil - ¼ cup
- Arrowroot starch or flour (optional) - 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Before preparing the ingredients, place the codfish into a bowl and season with salt and lemon juice on each piece. Set it aside to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes and prepare everything else.
- In a pot, heat the palm oil on a medium-high flame. When ready, sauté the garlic and onions for a few minutes until softened.
- Add the eggplant, tomato, okra, bell pepper, and bay leaf into the pot. Sauté them for a few minutes until everything is nicely incorporated.
- When done, add the spinach or green leaves you have into the pot and give it a gentle stir to mix everything. Then, add a cup of water (or you can also use vegetable broth) onto the pot.
- Add in the marinated fish with the other ingredients, like making stew or soup. You can also start layering the fish first before the ingredients.
- Once the fish is added, cover the pot, then lower the heat. Let the Calulu cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- After 15 to 20 minutes, lower the heat until the stew only simmers. Uncover the pot then give it a stir.
- If you want a thicker consistency, add the arrowroot or flour to the mixture. Mix it and cook the Calulu again for another 5 minutes until the soup thickens.
- Turn off the heat, then serve the Calulu on a plate or bowl. Serve it with rice if preferred, then enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 16gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 262mgFiber: 15gSugar: 14g
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