Yam and Egg Nigerian Corned Beef Stew with Boiled Plantain

As a Nigerian, I love to cook and eat our food because it is rich in flavour, diverse ingredients and packed with nutritional properties. We also love to eat green vegetables and many cannot be found in the West. One dish that is a staple in our house and one that I grew up eating is Nigerian Corned Beef Stew with Boiled Plantain. This hearty and packed dish combines yam, corned beef, eggs, and spinach in a mouthwatering stew, served alongside soft boiled plantains.

The History of Yam and Egg Corned Beef Stew

Yam is a native staple crop in Nigeria and has been consumed by its people for centuries. It’s certainly possible that with the colonisation of the British empire, that corned beef was introduced to evolve into this dish so widely eaten today.

Nigerians love plantain!

Plantain holds a special place in the heart of a Nigerian, there are so many ways to incorporate this “cooking banana” into many dishes. In fact check out my previous recipe here if you’re looking for more inspiration. Plantains are rich in various essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and potassium. They all play a role in supporting optimum immunity, good vision, heart health and metabolism. It’s important to note, however, that the way you cook plantain can alter the nutritional values. Boiling plantain is relatively better than frying and green ‘unripe’ plantain is more rich in fibre than ripe ones.

In this recipe, we’ll be using ripe plantains. Ripe plantains are sweet and tender, adding a beautiful contrast to the savory and slightly spicy stew.

Ingredients

Cooking instructions

1. Preparing the Yam
Cut the yam into medium-thick slices, ensuring there’s no dark bark visible. Wash the yam slices thoroughly to remove excess starch and sand. Place the yam slices in a pot, add about 1 tbsp of salt, and cook for 10-15 minutes until they are fork-tender.

2. Preparing Other Ingredients
Whisk the eggs in a bowl, chop the onion and set both aside. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then rinse it with cold water. Squeeze out excess water and chop the spinach. Set aside.

3. Boiling the plantain
With one ripe plantain cut into big chunks and season with a pinch of salt (optional). Then add into a pot of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Start cooking the corned beef stew whilst on the stove. Once cooked drain out the water.

4. Cooking the Corned Beef Stew
In a pan, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add the chopped onions, scotch bonnet, tomato puree, and chopped rosemary. Fry for 3 minutes. Add the corned beef plus spices and blend the ingredients until smooth. Fry for another 3 minutes. Pour in a cup of water and blend everything together. Simmer on low heat for 3 minutes, with the pan covered.

5. Adding Eggs and Spinach
Swirl in the whisked eggs and cover the pan, allowing the eggs to cook for about 2 minutes. Then, fold the eggs into the stew to ensure the eggs are thoroughly cooked. Finally, add in the chopped spinach, which will have wilted from the boiling water. Once combined, turn off the heat.

6. Assemble and enjoy!
On a plate, add the yam, corned beef stew and boiled plantain and enjoy!

FAQs when making Yam and Egg Corned Beef Stew with Boiled Plantain

1. Can I use other types of meat in this stew? As this is very particular dish, corned beef must be used as is traditional for this recipe. Though if you want to experiment with beef, fish etc be my guest! 🙂
2. What if I don’t have fresh rosemary? You can certainly use dried rosemary as an alternative, but reduce the quantity to about 1/2 teaspoon, as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor. Alternatively you can skip it altogether, the stew tastes just as good.
3. Can I fry the plantain instead of boil it? Of course! Plantain is such a versatile ingredient and however you choose to cook your plantain for this recipe, will not spoil the end result.

Yam and Egg Corned Beef Stew with Boiled Plantain

Dive into this colourful Nigerian dish, a national favourite. Yam and Egg Corned Beef Stew with Boiled Plantain seasoned well with hints of fresh rosemary flavour.

3 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dinner, lunch

Cuisine Nigerian

Servings 3 people

Ingredients

  

• 1 yam sliced
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tin corned beef
• 1 ripe plantain
• spinach (chopped)
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary (stems removed)
• 3 eggs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• ½ scotch bonnet diced
• ½ tsp salt (optional)
• ½ tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano

Instructions

 

• Cut the yam into medium thick slices. Remove the out layer (there should be no dark bark visible). Thoroughly wash the yam slices to remove excess starch and sand.
• Add the yam slices into a pot and fill with water. Season with about 1 tbsp of salt and heat on medium fire. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until you can easily pierce your fork through.
• Whilst the yam is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Whisk the eggs in a bowl and set aside. Chop the onion and set aside. Blanch the spinach in boiling water to clean for about 2 minutes and rinse with cold water. Squeeze out the excess water with your hands and chop the spinach. Set aside.
• Once the yam is cooked, drain off the water and set aside whilst you cook the corned beef stew.
• In a pan, add 2 olive oil and heat. Once heated add in the onions, scotch bonnet, tomato puree and chopped rosemary. Fry for 3 minutes. Add in the corned beef and the spices and blend the ingredients together until smooth. Fry for another 3 minutes.
• Add in a cup of water and blend everything together. Turn the heat to low to simmer for 3 minutes and cover the pan.
• Then swirl in the whisked eggs and cover the pan, leaving the eggs to cook for about 2 minutes. After fold the eggs into the stew to cook thoroughly.
• Lastly add in the chopped spinach which would have been welted by the boiling water and combine. Turn off the heat.

Keyword Kid Friendly, Sauce

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how this Yam and Egg Corned Beef Stew with Boiled Plantain dish turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @nutrifusionbites on Instagram and hashtag it #nutrifusionbites.