Yetakelt Wet - Spicy Mixed Vegetable Stew

posted on: Jan 20, 2025

By: Habeeb Salloum/Arab America Contributing Writer

For my vegetarian friends, out of the many stews I prepare, in general, this Djibouti moderately hot and spicy stew is a favourite.  

Serves 6 to 8

5 tablespoons butter                                                                

1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 tablespoon paprika
2 cups fresh green beans, snapped into pieces

1 large carrot, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1 large potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium tomatoes, chopped

4 tablespoons tomato paste, diluted with 1 1/2 cups water
2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt 

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)

Melt the butter in a saucepan then fry the onion, garlic, garam masala and paprika for 5 minutes.  Add beans, carrot and potato then sauté for 10 minutes over medium/low heat, stirring occasionally.  Add tomatoes, diluted tomato paste, and water then bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer over medium/low heat for 35 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but not overcooked.  

Stir in the remaining ingredients then cook for a further 5 minutes.  

Serve with Arab bread, rice and plain yogurt.

Check out our Blog here!