Entree: Nigeria – Kanuri Northeast – Dambu Nama (Spiced, shredded dry beef cooked until crumbly and aromatic)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 20 min

Cook 1 hr 45 min

Total 2 hrs 5 min

Ingredients

- 2 lb (900 g) beef rump or chuck roast, trimmed
- 1 large (8 oz / 225 g) onion, quartered
- 4 cloves (12 g) garlic, smashed
- 1 tbsp (15 g) fresh ginger, grated
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp (6 g) salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp (4 g) ground black pepper
- 1 beef bouillon cube (approx. 8 g)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil or peanut oil
- 1 medium (6 oz / 170 g) onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp (30 g) ground red pepper or paprika (adjust for heat)
- 1 tsp (3 g) ground ginger
- 1 tsp (3 g) ground garlic or garlic powder
- 1 tsp (2 g) curry powder
- 1/4 cup (30 g) roasted ground peanuts (optional, for texture)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
- 2 tbsp (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the whole beef roast, quartered onion, smashed garlic, grated ginger, bay leaf, bouillon cube, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper into a pot and cover with water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer, cover partially, and cook gently until the beef is very tender, about 1.5–2 hours. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the cooking liquid.
2. Remove the beef and let cool slightly, then shred very finely by hand or with two forks. Squeeze or press shredded beef in a clean cloth or fine sieve to remove excess moisture, using the reserved cooking liquid only if needed to keep some moisture.
3. Heat the oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and golden, about 6–8 minutes. Add the shredded beef and stir to combine.
4. Sprinkle the ground red pepper, ground ginger, ground garlic, and curry powder over the beef. Stir continuously and fry the mixture until it becomes dry, crumbly, and slightly browned, about 10–15 minutes. If using, stir in the roasted ground peanuts in the last 2–3 minutes.
5. Adjust seasoning with lemon juice and additional salt to taste. Remove from heat, garnish with chopped cilantro if desired, and serve warm alongside rice, tuwo, or flatbread.