Nigerian Peanut Stew (Ewedu) with Fried Rice
A traditional leafy green stew with peanuts, served with crispy fried rice for a satisfying Nigerian meal. This nigerian-inspired soups ready in about 80 minutes pairs chopped ewedu leaves, crushed peanuts, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 200 g, chopped ewedu leaves
- 150 g, crushed peanuts
- 2 medium, diced onion
- 3 medium, chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp, crushed pepper
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 cups uncooked rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1.5 liters water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced onions and sauté for 5 minutes until golden. Stir in 3 chopped tomatoes and 2 tbsp crushed pepper, cooking for 8 minutes until tomatoes soften.
- Step 2: Add 200 g chopped ewedu leaves and 150 g crushed peanuts. Cook for 10 minutes until leaves are tender. Season with 1 tbsp salt and 1.5 liters water, simmering for 20 minutes until stew thickens.
- Step 3: In a separate pot, bring 2 cups rice and 1.5 liters water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, fry 2 cups rice in batches for 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 5: Serve stew in bowls, topped with fried rice and a sprinkle of salt.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nigerian Peanut Stew (Ewedu) with Fried Rice take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (30 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Nigerian Peanut Stew (Ewedu) with Fried Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped ewedu leaves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nigerian Peanut Stew (Ewedu) with Fried Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Nigerian Peanut Stew (Ewedu) with Fried Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Nigerian Peanut Stew (Ewedu) with Fried Rice?
Nigerian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 50-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
