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Meat, Africa and overseas

Henan’omby ritra with rice

Henan'omby ritra is a Malagasy braised beef with tomatoes and onions, served with rice, for 4 people in about 1 hour 40 minutes, rated easy, at €3.70 per serving. Its success depends on a two stage simmer, covered then uncovered, which concentrates the sauce until it coats the meat like a glaze.

Tonight, a Malagasy style beef, henan'omby ritra, simmered with tomatoes and onions until the sauce melts away.

Henan’omby ritra with rice
Total time
1 h 40
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.70
Calories per person
620 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Henan'omby ritra is a beef dish that simmers for a long time with tomatoes and onions, until the sauce almost disappears and leaves behind a glossy, deeply flavored meat. Garlic and fresh ginger add a quiet warmth that lifts the dish without overpowering it. There's no chili or heavy spice here, just a gentle braise where tomato and beef do the talking.

This is a Sunday dish, or one for a slow weeknight when you can let the pot do its work without rushing. Kids tend to love it because the meat is so tender and the sauce isn't spicy at all. Served over plain white rice, it makes a complete, comforting meal, perfect for cooler autumn and winter evenings.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Beef for braising (chuck or blade) 700 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 4
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 1 tbsp

Pantry

  • Long grain riceoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the beef into cubes and sear it in hot oil in a Dutch oven. 10 min

    Do it in two batches so it browns properly.

  2. Add the sliced onions, the crushed garlic and ginger, and the diced tomatoes, then season with salt and pepper.

    Add the tomatoes without water, they'll release enough liquid on their own.

  3. Cover and let it simmer over low heat until the meat is tender. 1 h 10

    The beef is ready when it falls apart easily.

  4. Remove the lid and let it reduce over high heat until the sauce has almost evaporated. 10 min

    Stir often toward the end so the meat doesn't stick.

  5. Cook the rice in salted water while this happens, then serve it with the beef. 12 min

    Well drained rice soaks up the sauce better.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a well marbled cut like chuck or blade, the fat melts during the long simmer and keeps the meat moist.
  • Hold back on salt early in the cooking, the sauce reduces a lot by the end and the flavors concentrate naturally.
  • Watch the final ten minutes of high heat closely, the sauce can go from just right to overcooked in a few moments.

The variations

  • Swap the beef for pork or chicken, the simmering time will be shorter, around 40 minutes for chicken.
  • For a vegetarian version, use chunks of eggplant or button mushrooms instead of the beef.
  • For kids in a hurry to eat, cut the beef into smaller cubes, cooking will go a bit faster.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Fresh cucumber salad
  • Cold lemon water

Storage

Henan'omby ritra keeps for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, without the rice. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can you make henan'omby ritra ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually better reheated the next day, as the flavors have time to develop. Cook the beef the day before and reheat it gently, serving it with freshly cooked rice.

What cut of beef works best?

Chuck or blade are ideal since they become tender after a long simmer. Avoid very lean cuts, which tend to dry out during braising.

Can you freeze this dish?

Yes, the braised beef freezes very well for up to 2 months, but keep the rice separate since it doesn't freeze well. Thaw in the fridge, then reheat gently in a saucepan.

How do you know the sauce has reduced enough?

The sauce should turn glossy and nearly disappear, coating the meat like a glaze. Stir often near the end to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

How long does it take to make a henan'omby ritra with rice?

Count 1 h 40 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a henan'omby ritra with rice?

About 620 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a henan'omby ritra with rice cost?

About €3.70 per serving, or €14.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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