Mulah Tagalia (Sudanese Minced Beef Stew)
Local name: ملاح تقلية
In short: Minced beef cooked down with deeply fried onion, garlic and tomato, thickened with a spoon of peanut butter. A rich Sudanese mulah for aseeda or rice. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 5 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 370 kcal
Tagalia takes its name from the Arabic word for frying, and the dish begins with a long, patient fry of onions. Minced beef, garlic, tomato paste and a spoon of peanut butter follow, simmering into a thick, savory sauce that clings to aseeda or kisra. It is one of the quicker mulah stews to make at home, since mince cooks far faster than cubed meat, and it keeps well for several days.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden brown but not burnt.
- Stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander and pepper for 1 minute, then add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, until it darkens slightly.
- Add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until no pink remains and most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the tomatoes, peanut butter, salt and hot water, stirring until the peanut butter dissolves. Cover and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes more, until thick and glossy with a little oil on the surface. The beef must reach 71°C (160°F). Stir in the lemon juice and the chili, if using.
- Serve hot, ladled into the well of an aseeda or alongside kisra or rice.
Tips
- Take your time with the onions. Deep golden onions give the sauce its color and sweetness, while scorched ones turn it bitter. If they brown too fast, add a splash of water.
- For a thicker sauce in the traditional way, stir 1 tablespoon of ground dried okra (waika) into the water, or simply let the stew reduce a few minutes longer.
Questions and answers
What does tagalia mean?
The name comes from the Arabic word for frying. The dish is built on a long fry of onions, garlic and spices that forms the base of the sauce.
Can I use lamb or chicken instead of beef?
Yes. Ground lamb works the same way. Ground chicken or turkey needs a little less simmering and must reach 74°C (165°F).
How do I store and reheat it?
Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of water, since the sauce thickens as it cools.
How long does it take to make Mulah Tagalia (Sudanese Minced Beef Stew)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Mulah Tagalia (Sudanese Minced Beef Stew)?
About 370 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 370 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
