Daraba

Name: Daraba
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Chadian
Ingredients: 400g fresh okra, sliced; 300g leafy greens (spinach or sorrel); 2 large tomatoes, chopped; 1 large onion, diced; 3 tbsp ground dried fish; 3 tbsp groundnut oil; 1 tsp salt; 2 cups water; 1 bouillon cube; 2 cloves garlic, minced

Daraba (da-RAH-bah)

Chadian Okra and Greens Stew

⏱ Prep Time 45 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 191 kcal

A thick, silky stew of okra and leafy greens simmered with tomatoes, onions, and ground dried fish. This deeply savory dish is a daily staple across Chad, ladled generously over boule or kissar.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 12.0g

Carbs 20.0g

Fat 7.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon mortar and pestle sharp knife

Ingredients

400g fresh okra, sliced
300g leafy greens (spinach or sorrel)
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 large onion, diced
3 tbsp ground dried fish
3 tbsp groundnut oil
1 tsp salt
2 cups water
1 bouillon cube
2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1
Heat groundnut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute diced onion until soft and translucent, about five minutes.
2
Add chopped tomatoes and garlic, cooking until tomatoes break down into a thick paste, roughly eight minutes of stirring.
3
Add sliced okra and stir well. Cook for five minutes until okra begins to release its characteristic silky texture.
4
Pour in water, add ground dried fish, bouillon cube, and salt. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
5
Add leafy greens and stir into the stew. Cover and simmer for fifteen minutes until greens are tender and the stew is thick.
6
Serve hot over boule or kissar, ensuring each portion has a generous amount of the rich, mucilaginous sauce.

💡

Did You Know?

The okra in daraba acts as a natural thickener, creating a texture that Chadians call "drawing" because of how the sauce stretches between the spoon and the bowl.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
wooden spoon
mortar and pestle
sharp knife

The Story Behind Daraba

Daraba is the quintessential everyday dish of Chad, eaten in homes from N'Djamena to remote villages. The combination of okra, greens, and dried fish represents the resourceful cooking of Chadian women who create deeply nourishing meals from locally available ingredients. The dried fish adds umami depth that transforms simple vegetables into a satisfying main course.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch and dinner 📜 Origins: Traditional Chadian home cooking

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Daraba

Nutrition & Info

Dietary

Allergen Warnings

Equipment Needed

Instructions

Did You Know?

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

The Story Behind Daraba

Comments (0)

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