Kapana (Namibian Street-Grilled Beef with Tomato Relish)
In short: Small pieces of beef grilled over hot coals until browned, then dipped in chili salt and eaten with a sharp tomato and onion relish. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 290 kcal
Kapana is the beef you smell before you see at Namibian markets, especially in the north. Vendors cut fresh beef into small pieces, grill them on a flat grate over coals and sell them by weight, with chili salt for dipping and a tomato and onion relish on the side. Eat it with your fingers, straight from the grill, with a piece of bread or a spoonful of oshifima if you like.
Instructions
- Mix the tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, chili and salt for the relish in a bowl. Mix the salt and chili powder for dipping in a small dish.
- Toss the beef with the oil, salt, paprika, pepper and garlic powder in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Heat a grill, barbecue or heavy grill pan until very hot. Spread the beef in a single layer, with the pieces not touching.
- Grill for 6 to 8 minutes, turning often, until browned and charred in places. Cook in two batches if your grill is small, so the beef sears instead of steaming.
- Rest the beef for 3 minutes. Serve hot in a pile, with the chili salt for dipping and the relish on the side.
Tips
- Buy fresh beef and cut it just before cooking. Rump, sirloin and fillet all work, and a little fat on the pieces keeps them juicy.
- No grill? Use a very hot cast-iron pan and cook in small batches for 4 to 5 minutes. Open a window, since it will smoke.
Questions and answers
Is kapana spicy?
The meat itself is mild. The heat comes from the chili salt for dipping, so everyone can choose how much to use.
What cut of beef is best for kapana?
Rump, sirloin or fillet. Cut across the grain into small pieces so they cook fast and stay tender.
What do you serve with kapana?
Tomato and onion relish, fresh bread or oshifima. Cold drinks are traditional on the side.
How long does it take to make Kapana (Namibian Street-Grilled Beef with Tomato Relish)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kapana (Namibian Street-Grilled Beef with Tomato Relish)?
About 290 kcal per serving, with 37 g of protein, 7 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 290 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 37 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1250 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
