Dagaa Omena Recipe

User Reviews

4.9

21 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    45 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    135 kcal

  • Course

    Lunch, Dinner

  • Cuisine

    African

Dagaa Omena Recipe

This delicious Kenyan pan-fried omena (dagaa) fish stew with lemon is bursting with so much flavour and is definitely guaranteed to stand out every time you make it!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 cups dried omena fish
  • 2-3 small jugs hot water (or more, depending on how dirty your omena is)
  • 3-5 tablespoon cooking oil (plus a third a cup to briefly fry the omena)
  • 1 medium-sized onion (chopped)
  • 2 small cloves garlic (finely minced or crushed)
  • 3 medium-sized tomatoes (finely diced or blended)
  • teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 medium-sized bell pepper (pili pili hoho)
  • 1 small diced chilli pepper or dried chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
  • cup water (optional - for the stew)
  • one small bunch of coriander (cilantro) (chopped, leaves and stems separated)
  • ½ small lemon
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Instructions

  1. Place your omena on a kitchen tray and run your fingers through it, to check for stones, and any other unwanted debris such as shells.
  2. Use hot water to rinse your omena until clean. Next, using two cups of water, boil or soak your fish covered, for 10 minutes (see notes). Add more water if needed.
  3. Using a sieve, drain the water and set the fish aside. In a pot or pan, heat oil under high heat. Add the sieved omena (dagaa) and fry for about 5 minutes, or until most of the liquid has dried up, stirring from time to time. Once done, set it aside in a bowl and prepare the stew.
  4. Using the same pot or pan, heat oil under medium heat then fry the onion until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Next, add the coriander stems, curry powder, salt, chilli pepper or dried flakes, then stir to combine.
  5. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, stir, cover and allow the tomatoes to cook for about 10 minutes or until most of the water has evaporated and the tomatoes have softened.
  6. Stir in the fried omena and bell pepper. Add a third cup of water or more as preferred, if you like your omena to have the consistency of a stew. You can also use milk or coconut milk, instead of water. Cover, and allow it to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
  7. Once cooked, drizzle some lemon juice on top, and garnish with some chopped coriander (cilantro). Serve hot, with some ugali.

Notes

  • You can choose to boil or soak the omena in hot water before frying. Just bear in mind that boiled omena will generally turn out softer than the soaked one. Use the soaking method if you prefer your fish crunchy.
  • add more water for more sauce, but not too much as it may turn out watery and not tasty.
  • add some oil, a little at a time, if your pan feels too dry.
  • use regular milk, coconut milk, or cream instead of water, for a creamy taste.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 135kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.04g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 456mg (19%) Potassium 355mg (10%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 914IU (18%) Vitamin C 39mg (43%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 135 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 135kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.04g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 456mg 19%
Potassium 355mg 8%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 914IU 18%
Vitamin C 39mg 43%
Calcium 25mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.9

21 reviews
Excellent

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