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Fish, Africa and overseas

Pweza wa nazi with rice

Pweza wa nazi is a Zanzibari octopus stew simmered in coconut milk with curry and tomato, served over basmati rice. This recipe for 4 people takes 50 minutes, is medium difficulty, and costs €5.40 per person. The key is starting with already cooked octopus and letting it simmer gently so it stays tender.

Tonight, we're off to Zanzibar with pweza wa nazi, tender octopus simmered in coconut milk with garlic and curry.

Pweza wa nazi with rice
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€5.40
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring

Pweza wa nazi pairs firm octopus with a silky coconut sauce, seasoned with mild curry and brightened by tomato and lime. Fresh cilantro adds a green note that balances the richness of the coconut milk, and the basmati rice soaks up the sauce without ever getting soggy. It's a dish that feels different from your usual weeknight dinner without being complicated.

It's a good pick for a spring or summer dinner when you want a bit of a change of scenery without spending hours in the kitchen. Mon Chou suggests this recipe for adults or older kids curious about new flavors, a relaxed Sunday night, or for guests you want to impress without any last minute stress.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Cooked octopus 800 g

Pantry

  • Coconut milkoften in the pantry 40 cl
  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Mild curry powderoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 3
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Lime 1
  • Cilantro 10 sprigs

Allergens Mollusks

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the octopus into 3 cm chunks, slice the onions and garlic, and dice the tomatoes.

    Keep a few nice whole tentacle pieces for presentation.

  2. Cook the onions and garlic in the oil, add the curry powder, then the tomatoes, and let it cook down. 10 min

    The curry should sizzle a few seconds in the oil to release its aroma.

  3. Add the octopus and coconut milk, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer gently, covered. 20 min

    Keep the heat low, high heat would toughen the octopus.

  4. Cook the rice in a large pot of salted water, then drain it. 12 min

    Taste it before the time is up, the rice should stay tender, not mushy.

  5. Sprinkle with cilantro, squeeze over lime juice, and serve over the rice.

    A little grated lime zest brightens up the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Let the tomato sauce simmer a few minutes before adding the octopus, it should lose its raw acidity and thicken slightly.
  • Never let the sauce boil hard once the octopus is in, a gentle simmer is enough to warm it through without toughening it.
  • Cook the rice just before serving so it stays warm and slightly sticky, perfect for soaking up the sauce.

The variations

  • Swap the octopus for peeled shrimp, adding them only 5 minutes before the end so they stay tender.
  • For a vegetarian version, use chickpeas and grilled eggplant chunks instead of the octopus.
  • To save time, use precooked rice you just reheat and skip boiling the rice from scratch.

What to serve it with

  • Extra plain basmati rice
  • More lime wedges on the side
  • Iced mint tea

Storage

Pweza wa nazi keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well because the octopus turns rubbery. Reheat the sauce gently over low heat, without boiling, to keep the octopus from toughening.

Questions about this dish

Can I use raw octopus instead of cooked octopus?

Yes, but you'll need to precook it for about 45 minutes in simmering water before cutting it into pieces. Already cooked octopus is simpler and faster for a weeknight dinner.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the tomato and coconut base a day ahead and gently reheat it before adding the octopus. This gives the flavors more time to develop.

What kind of curry powder should I use?

A mild curry powder works best and keeps the coconut sauce balanced. Avoid strong curry blends that would overpower the taste of the octopus.

Can I replace the coconut milk with cream?

This isn't recommended since coconut milk gives the dish its signature flavor. Regular cream would result in a very different sauce, closer to a Western style dish.

How long does it take to make a pweza wa nazi with rice?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a pweza wa nazi with rice?

About 560 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 pweza wa nazi with rice cost?

About €5.40 per serving, or €21.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains mollusks. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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