Combo (South Sudanese Peanut and Spinach Stew)
In short: A thick stew of tender beef, spinach, tomatoes and peanut butter that turns glossy and rich, served with kisra, aseeda or rice. It takes about 2 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 40 min
- Total
- 2 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 510 kcal
Combo is a thick South Sudanese stew of spinach, peanut butter and tomatoes, often cooked with beef or goat. The peanut butter melts into the tomatoes and greens to make a glossy, rich sauce that is savory with a hint of sweetness. It is rustic, filling and made from pantry ingredients. Serve it with kisra, aseeda or plain rice to soak up the sauce.
Instructions
- Season the beef with 1/2 tsp of the salt and the pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef in two batches, about 5 minutes each. Set it aside.
- In the same pot, cook the onion over medium heat for 6 minutes, until soft. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Return the beef to the pot, add the water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 60 minutes, until the beef is tender.
- Stir in the tomatoes and cook uncovered for 8 minutes, until they soften into the sauce.
- Whisk the peanut butter with a ladle of the hot cooking liquid until smooth, then stir it into the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring, until the stew is thick and glossy with a little oil on the surface.
- Add the spinach by handfuls, stirring until each batch wilts, about 5 minutes in all. Season with the remaining 1/2 tsp salt.
- Serve hot with kisra, aseeda or rice.
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, skip the beef. Cook the onion, add the tomatoes and 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) water, then continue from the peanut butter step, adding chickpeas or sweet potato for body.
- Use natural, unsweetened peanut butter. Sweetened kinds make the stew taste sugary and hide the savory flavor of the greens.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen spinach in combo?
Yes. Use 300 g (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry, and add it together with the peanut butter.
Can I make combo ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and freezes for 3 months. The sauce thickens as it sits, so loosen it with a splash of water when reheating.
How is combo different from West African peanut stew?
Combo is built on spinach and tomatoes, with peanut butter as the thickener, and it is mild, with no palm oil or heavy spicing. It tastes nutty, savory and green.
How long does it take to make Combo (South Sudanese Peanut and Spinach Stew)?
About 2 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Combo (South Sudanese Peanut and Spinach Stew)?
About 510 kcal per serving, with 38 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 510 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
