Romazava
Madagascar's national dish: a light, fragrant broth of beef and mixed leafy greens, with ginger, tomato and onion. It is eaten with rice.

Madagaskar stew 2019-10-01: Z thomas, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Where it comes from
Romazava is a Malagasy classic, with a stew of greens called brèdes, including a tingly flower called paracress that adds a gentle numbing sensation. It is served in homes across the island.
Explore the cuisine of Madagascar.
Recipe
Make Romazava at home
Ingredients
- 500 g beef chuck, cubed
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 4 cups mixed greens (watercress, spinach, bok choy)
- 1 bunch scallions
- 4 cups water or beef stock
- salt and pepper
- cooked rice
How it's made
- Brown the beef in oil in a pot, then add the onion, garlic and ginger.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the water or stock, season and bring to a boil.
- Cover and simmer 1 hour, until the beef is tender.
- Add the greens and scallions and cook 5-8 minutes.
- Serve over rice in deep bowls.
Variations
- Romazava with zebu beef and pork.
- Romazava with chicken for a lighter version.
Cook’s tip: Add the greens at the end so they stay bright green and keep their texture.
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About this page
Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.
Photo credit
- Madagaskar stew 2019-10-01: Z thomas, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
