Zambian Fish Stew
Zambian fish stew is a delightful and flavorful dish that showcases the rich taste of fish in Zambian cuisine. This stew is made with tender fish pieces cooked in a savory tomato-based sauce with a blend of aromatic spices. It's a popular and comforting meal in Zambia, often served with nshima or rice.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 hot pepper (optional, for heat), chopped
- 1 pound fish (e.g. tilapia, catfish, or any firm white fish), cut into pieces
- 1 cup fish stock
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
Ingredients for 3 servings (1.3 kg) · the original recipe
Method
- 1
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Stovetop - 2
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
- 3
Add the diced tomato, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
- 4
Pour in the fish stock or water and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Stovetop - 5
Gently place the fish pieces into the pot, making sure they are submerged in the liquid.
- 6
Season the stew with ground cayenne pepper, ground paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, and salt. Stir well to distribute the spices.
- 7
Cover the pot and let the stew simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Stovetop - 8
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or spices according to your preference.
- 9
Remove the pot from the heat and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe from Wikibooks Cookbook, written by Wikibooks contributors. Used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence; the ingredient list and method on this page are taken from that page and edited (its notes, tips and variations are not reproduced), and are available under the same licence. The macros, equipment tags and scaling are Ma Kitchen’s own and are not the source’s figures. Ma Kitchen is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wikibooks Cookbook. Copied on 2026-11-12.
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