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West African Beef Skewers

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

West African Beef Skewers

West African Beef Skewers are a cherished staple at home dinners across the region, particularly when families gather to share stories and meals. This dish, seasoned by intuition, reflects the unspoken wisdom of home cooks who balance salt and fat with a practiced hand. Its simplicity ensures it remains a beloved choice, easy to prepare and deeply satisfying.

Sizzling over an open flame, these skewers release a fragrant blend of cumin and onion that hints at the feast to come. The beef, tender and richly flavored, is enveloped in a subtle, smoky char that pairs beautifully with the generous use of oil. Each bite captures the essence of communal dining, a dish meant to be savored and shared without pretense.

Ingredients

  • 800 gbeef cubes
  • 1onion
  • 2 tbspoil
  • 1 tspcumin
  • as neededskewers
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by placing the 800 g of beef cubes in a large mixing bowl. Season them generously with fine sea salt, black pepper, and 1 tsp of cumin. Toss the meat thoroughly to ensure each cube is evenly coated with the spices. Let the seasoned beef sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
  2. Peel and finely chop 1 onion. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté the onion until it becomes translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.
  3. Add the seasoned beef cubes to the skillet with the sautéed onions. Spread them out in a single layer to ensure even browning. Allow the beef to brown on one side without moving it for a few minutes until a deep, rich color develops. Turn the cubes to brown the other sides, ensuring each piece has a nice crust.
  4. If using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. Thread the browned beef cubes onto skewers, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the beef is tender and cooked through. The exterior should be nicely charred, and the interior should be juicy.
  5. If braising, transfer the browned beef cubes and onions to a pot. Add a small amount of water or broth to cover the bottom of the pot. Cover and cook on low heat until the beef is tender, about 20-30 minutes. The beef should be easy to pierce with a fork and have absorbed the rich flavors of the spices.
  6. Once the beef is cooked to your liking, taste a piece and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve the West African Beef Skewers hot, accompanied by rice, bread, or a fresh salad. Enjoy the dish as it is traditionally shared at a West African home table.
Cover of Authentic West African Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic West African Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic West African Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the West African volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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