SPINACH STEW (nkontomire/palava sauce with boiled Yam)

Hello guys!
Welcome back!

Few weeks ago,I posted a picture of this spinach stew(Nkontomire aka palava sauce)on my Instagram feed and also shared it on my ig stories.I received tons of request to share the recipe.I figured this would be a great welcome back gift to you all.

Get your ingredients,turn on the music and let's party!!
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🔪Prep time :15minutes
Cook time:40minutes
⏱Total time:55minutes
🍽Serving :serves 6 persons 

INGREDIENTS;

•Two bundles of nkontomire/two bags of spinach
•6 small tomatoes
•two large onions
•9-12 petit belle pepper (kpakposhito)
•1 large salmon /mackerel
•powdered shrimp/smoked shrimps/shrimp seasoning cube
•1 cup melon seeds
•1/2 cup palm oil
•stinky fish(Momoni)-optional
•Salt

PREPARATION OF INGREDIENTS

1.Wash melon seeds,soak in water and set aside.
2.Clean Nkontomire leaves with clean napkin,wash with salt water and cut into desired strips
3.Chop 1 onion,tomatoes,add pepper,blend and set aside.
4.In the same blender,add the melon seeds,a pinch of salt and just enough water to blend seeds.set aside.
5.Divide salmon or Mackerel into two,remove skin and bones ,wash and break into pieces.
6.wash and chop remaining onion.

COOKING PROCESS 

7.Pour oil into cooking pot,place on medium heat.
8.Add chopped onions and stinky fish(Momoni).Fry until onions are soft.
9.Add blended pepper mix(tomatoes,peppers,onions)allow to simmer for about 8mins.
10.Add shrimp powder /seasoning cube ,mackerel and salt to taste.Cover and allow to simmer for about5-10mins.
11.Add in blended melon seeds,avoid stirring,cover and Lower heat-allow to simmer on low heat for about 5-10mins.
12.On medium heat,carefully stir in uncooked kontomire leaves/spinach.Cover and allow to simmer for about 10-15mins.
13.Stir,adjust seasoning,turn off heat.
14.Serve with boiled Yam,boiled rice,potatoes,plantain.
ENJOY!

Recipe notes
*A lot of recipes require boiling/blanching leaves first,this recipe does not!
*If using whole smoked shrimp,add to vegetables (tomato,pepper,onion)and blend.
*Add about 2-3 tablespoons of water to kontomire(spinach)before stirring it into stew,to hasten the cooking process.