Derere (Zimbabwean Okra Stew)
In short: Finely chopped okra simmered with onion and tomato into a silky, slippery relish, enriched with peanut butter and served with sadza. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 140 kcal
Derere is Zimbabwe's okra relish, loved for its silky, slippery texture, which is just what stiff sadza needs. The okra is chopped small so that it releases its natural slickness, then simmered with onion and tomato and finished with a spoonful of peanut butter for richness. A pinch of baking soda softens the pods and deepens the texture. It is simple, cheap and ready in 30 minutes.
Instructions
- Wash the okra, dry it well and trim the stem ends. Chop it as finely as you can. The smaller the pieces, the silkier the stew.
- Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes, until soft, then add the tomato and cook for 3 minutes more.
- Add the okra, water, baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until the okra is very tender and the stew is thick and glossy.
- If using peanut butter, stir it with a spoonful of the hot cooking liquid until smooth, then stir it back into the pot. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Taste, adjust the salt and serve hot with sadza.
Tips
- Use no more than 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, or the stew can taste soapy. For a less slippery derere, chop the okra into larger pieces and leave the soda out.
- Chopped frozen okra works well. Add it straight from the freezer and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Questions and answers
Is derere meant to be slimy?
Yes. The silky, slippery texture is the point, and it helps stiff sadza go down easily. To reduce it, leave the okra in larger pieces and skip the baking soda.
Why add baking soda to derere?
A small pinch softens the okra quickly and brings out its natural slipperiness. Too much leaves a soapy taste, so measure carefully.
What do you serve with derere?
Sadza is the classic partner. Greens such as covo or collards, or beans, also go well alongside. It is good with rice too.
How long does it take to make Derere (Zimbabwean Okra Stew)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Derere (Zimbabwean Okra Stew)?
About 140 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 360 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
