Spicy Njama Njama Stir-Fry with Smoked Fish
A vibrant Cameroonian stir-fry featuring njama njama greens and smoked fish, seasoned with traditional spices for a smoky, spicy flavor. This african-inspired vegetarian ready in about 30 minutes pairs deboned and flaked smoked fish, palm oil, medium, thinly sliced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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, deboned and flaked smoked fish
- 300 g, washed and chopped njama njama (amaranth greens)
- 3 tbsp palm oil
- 1 medium, thinly sliced onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1 small, finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- to taste salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons of palm oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, and 1 small finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste and 1/4 cup water, stirring to combine and simmering for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Toss in 300 grams of chopped njama njama greens and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, stirring well to coat with the sauce. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until the greens are tender.
- Step 5: Finally, fold in 200 grams of flaked smoked fish, seasoning with salt to taste and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes to heat through and blend flavors before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Njama Njama Stir-Fry with Smoked Fish take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Njama Njama Stir-Fry with Smoked Fish?
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 palm oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Njama Njama Stir-Fry with Smoked Fish?
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 Spicy Njama Njama Stir-Fry with Smoked Fish 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 Spicy Njama Njama Stir-Fry with Smoked Fish?
African vegetarian 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.
