Nyambeh Nyebeh

Name: Nyambeh Nyebeh
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Gambian
Ingredients: 2 cups black-eyed beans, soaked overnight; 200g smoked fish, flaked; 3 tbsp palm oil; 2 large onions, diced; 3 tomatoes, chopped; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 Maggi cubes; 1 Scotch bonnet pepper; Salt to taste; 4 cups water

Nyambeh Nyebeh (NYAM-beh NYEH-beh)

Black-Eyed Bean Stew

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 362 kcal

A savory stew of black-eyed beans cooked with palm oil, smoked fish, onions, and tomatoes, served over rice as a protein-rich Gambian meal.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 20.0g

Carbs 48.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon colander

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: palm oil drizzle

Accompaniments: steamed rice, tapalapa bread

Ingredients

2 cups black-eyed beans, soaked overnight
200g smoked fish, flaked
3 tbsp palm oil
2 large onions, diced
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Maggi cubes
1 Scotch bonnet pepper
Salt to taste
4 cups water

Instructions

1
Drain soaked beans and boil in fresh water for thirty minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside.
2
Heat palm oil in a large pot. Saute onions and garlic until golden.
3
Add tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Cook for five minutes until the sauce thickens.
4
Add the cooked beans and smoked fish. Stir to combine with the tomato base.
5
Add Maggi cubes, Scotch bonnet, and enough water to just cover the beans. Simmer for twenty minutes.
6
The stew is ready when the sauce is thick and beans are fully tender. Serve over steamed rice.

💡

Did You Know?

Black-eyed beans are considered a symbol of good luck in many West African cultures, and nyambeh nyebeh is often served at New Year celebrations in The Gambia.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
wooden spoon
colander

Garnishing

palm oil drizzle

Accompaniments

steamed rice, tapalapa bread

The Story Behind Nyambeh Nyebeh

Nyambeh nyebeh is a pillar of everyday Gambian cooking, reflecting the importance of legumes in the West African diet. Black-eyed beans have been cultivated in the region for thousands of years and provide essential protein in a cuisine where meat was historically reserved for special occasions. The addition of smoked fish transforms this humble bean stew into something deeply flavorful, showcasing the Gambian genius for building complex flavors from simple ingredients.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Pre-colonial West African

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