Nambassa

Name: Nambassa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Malian
Ingredients: 300g smoked fish, deboned and flaked; 3 large tomatoes, blended; 2 cups chopped spinach or amaranth leaves; 1 large onion, chopped; 3 tbsp shea butter; 2 scotch bonnet peppers; 2 tbsp dawadawa; 2 bouillon cubes; Salt to taste; 3 cups water

Nambassa (nahm-BAH-sah)

Smoked Fish Stew

⏱ Prep Time 50 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 364 kcal

A deeply smoky and savoury stew built around dried smoked fish, tomatoes, and leafy greens, delivering an intense umami flavour unique to Sahelian cooking.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 26.0g

Carbs 20.0g

Fat 20.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: shea butter drizzle

Accompaniments: toh, white rice

Ingredients

300g smoked fish, deboned and flaked
3 large tomatoes, blended
2 cups chopped spinach or amaranth leaves
1 large onion, chopped
3 tbsp shea butter
2 scotch bonnet peppers
2 tbsp dawadawa
2 bouillon cubes
Salt to taste
3 cups water

Instructions

1
Heat shea butter in a pot, sauté onion until golden.
2
Add blended tomatoes and cook 10 minutes until reduced.
3
Add dawadawa, scotch bonnet, and bouillon cubes. Stir well.
4
Add water and bring to a simmer. Add flaked smoked fish.
5
Cook for 20 minutes on low heat until flavours meld.
6
Add chopped greens, cook 5 minutes. Serve over toh or rice.

💡

Did You Know?

Smoked fish is so essential to Malian cooking that markets dedicate entire sections to vendors selling nothing but different varieties of dried and smoked river fish.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
wooden spoon

Garnishing

shea butter drizzle

Accompaniments

toh, white rice

The Story Behind Nambassa

Smoking fish is one of the oldest preservation techniques along the Niger River, allowing communities to store the river bounty through the dry season. Nambassa showcases this tradition in a rich, everyday stew.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed everyday lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Traditional Niger River cuisine

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