Moambé Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 lbs stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Juice of one lemon
• Salt to taste
• 1 minced chile pepper (or about 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper)
• 2 tbsp palm oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 6 to 8 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups water
• About 1 cup spinach, collards or kale, or similar, washed and chopped (optional)
• 1 cup moambé (palm soup base) or unsweetened peanut butter*

Note: if you use peanut butter instead of palm soup base, the dish is called "Muamba Nsusu."

Directions:

1. Combine the lemon juice, salt and chili pepper (or cayenne) and pour over the meat. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (more if you like).
2. In a large pot, heat the oil over a medium flame and add the onions. Saute for three or four minutes, then add the meat and cook until browned all over.
3. Pour in the tomatoes and the water and reduce heat. Add the palm base and greens.
4. Cover and simmer on low until the meat is tender (this should take about an hour). Serve over rice or with fufu.