Main Course · African · Dinner ·

African Ndolé with Crushed Peanuts and Spicy Prawns

Name: African Ndolé with Crushed Peanuts and Spicy Prawns
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: bitterleaf leaves, washed and finely chopped; baking soda, to tenderize the leaves; crushed peanuts, roasted and ground; prawns, peeled and deveined; olive oil; cayenne pepper; onions, finely chopped; garlic, minced; ginger, grated; black pepper; chicken or vegetable stock, 500ml; salt, to taste; palm oil, 2 tbsp

A rich and tasty Cameroonian dish that combines bitterleaf, crushed peanuts, and spicy prawns for a flavorful stew.

4.7(710 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 2, 2025

African Ndolé with Crushed Peanuts and Spicy Prawns — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Ndolé Base

For the Spicy Prawns

For the Aromatic Spice Mix

For the Stock

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 251 kcal
Protein: 12.25 g
Carbs: 10.5 g
Fat: 19.5 g
Fiber: 3.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1005 kcal
Protein: 49 g
Carbs: 42 g
Fat: 78 g
Fiber: 15 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
bitterleaf leaves washed and finely chopped	50	4	9	0	4
baking soda to tenderize the leaves	0	0	0	0	0
crushed peanuts roasted and ground	400	18	16	34	8
prawns peeled and deveined	120	25	1	2	0
olive oil	120	0	0	14	0
cayenne pepper	5	0	1	0	1
onions finely chopped	40	1	9	0	1
garlic minced	10	0	2	0	0
ginger grated	5	0	1	0	0
black pepper	5	0	1	0	1
chicken or vegetable stock 500ml	10	1	2	0	0
salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
palm oil 2 tbsp	240	0	0	28	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Prepping the Bitterleaf

1
Boil Bitterleaf
Boil the bitterleaf in water with baking soda for 10 minutes.
2
Drain and Rinse
Drain and rinse under cold water to remove bitterness.
Tip: Be sure to thoroughly rinse the bitterleaf to remove all traces of bitterness.
3
Squeeze Out Water
Set aside, ensuring all excess water is squeezed out.

Spicing up the Prawns

1
Marinate Prawns
Mix prawns with olive oil and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
Tip: Use fresh prawns for the best texture and taste.
2
Rest
Allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
3
Sauté Prawns
Sauté in a hot pan for 5 minutes until just cooked.

How to Make African Ndolé with Crushed Peanuts and Spicy Prawns

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Simmering the Ndolé Base
Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in palm oil until golden. Add bitterleaf and crushed peanuts.
2
Incorporating the Stock
Pour in the stock, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
3
Finishing Touch
Add in spicy prawns and let everything simmer together for an additional 5 minutes.