A festive dish of royalty from the kingdom of Buganda (Uganda), luwombo is steamed wrapped in banana leaves, traditionally reserved for weddings and special celebrations.
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Luwombo
Traditional Ugandan luwombo cooked in banana leaves, authentic step by step recipe.
- Uganda
- MAIN COURSES
- High protein
- medium
30 min
Tiempo de Preparación
6
Servings
Nutrición por ración
- Calories 420 kcal
- Protein 30 g
- Carbohydrates 16 g
- Fat 26 g
Story behind the dish
Preparation
Luwombo is a Ugandan preparation with medium difficulty. Reserve about 120 minutes in total (30 for mise en place and preparation, 90 for cooking). Follow the 6 phases in order: each step indicates what to do, what to observe and, when applicable, the time or level of fire.
Before you start
- Have ready: 800 g of chopped chicken (or beef).
- Have ready: 2 onions.
- Have ready: 3 tomatoes.
- Have ready: Ground peanuts.
- Have ready: Banana leaves (or aluminum foil as a substitute).
- Salt, oil and spices measured and within reach.
- Clean utensils, board and clear work surface.
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Sauté the onion in oil until golden
Sauté the onion in oil until golden, add the chicken and seal well. Look for a uniform golden color; The seal concentrates flavor and prevents it from releasing too much liquid later. Watch the exact point indicated; An extra minute can alter the result. Look for a uniform golden color; The seal concentrates flavor and prevents it from releasing too much liquid later. Watch the exact point indicated; An extra minute can alter the result.
Look for a uniform golden color; The seal concentrates flavor and prevents it from releasing too much liquid later.
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Add the chopped tomato and cook for 10 minutes until it dissolves.
Add the chopped tomato and cook for 10 minutes until it dissolves. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Add the ground peanuts diluted in a little broth
Add the ground peanuts diluted in a little broth, stirring well, and cook for 15 minutes. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Pass the banana leaves over the heat briefly to soften them and…
Pass the banana leaves over the heat briefly to soften them and make them more manageable. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Place the chicken stew inside the banana leaves
Place the chicken stew inside the banana leaves, wrap to form an airtight package and tie tightly. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step. Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
Go slowly and confirm texture, aroma and color before moving to the next step.
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Steam the packet for 1-1
Steam the packet for 1-1.5 hours so the flavors concentrate and intensify. Keep the steam constant; If the water in the base evaporates, add more heat without wetting the food. Keep the steam constant; If the water in the base evaporates, add more heat without wetting the food.
Keep the steam constant; If the water in the base evaporates, add more heat without wetting the food.
Chef's tips
- Wrapping in banana leaves concentrates the aromas and gives the dish its distinctive character; if you can't find them, aluminum foil is an acceptable substitute.
- Prolonged steaming inside the wrapper is what defines this festive dish.
Variations
- Fish luwombo.
- Version with mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
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