Skip to content

Meat, Africa and overseas

Romazava with rice

Romazava is a Malagasy beef broth simmered with onions, tomatoes, ginger, spinach, and watercress, served with rice. Made for 4 people, it takes 1 hour 40 minutes, most of it hands off simmering, rated easy, for €3.60 per serving. The key is adding the leafy greens right at the end so they keep their color and freshness.

Tonight, Madagascar's national dish, romazava, a beef broth with leafy greens flavored with ginger, served with rice.

Romazava with rice
Total time
1 h 40
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.60
Calories per person
640 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Romazava is a beef broth that simmers quietly until the meat nearly falls apart on its own. Ginger and garlic flavor the liquid, tomatoes add a touch of acidity, and the leafy greens, spinach and watercress, go in at the end so they stay crisp. You eat the whole thing with a spoon, broth included, alongside white rice that soaks up the juices.

This is a weeknight dish that comes together without stress, since the pot does most of the work while you handle other things. Kids tend to like it for the mild broth and the tender meat, and adults will recognize this Malagasy national dish as a full, comforting meal for cool fall or winter evenings. Mon Chou walks you through each step so this broth turns out right the first time.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Beef for stewing (chuck) 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh spinach 400 g
  • Watercress 1 bunch
  • Tomatoes 3
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 2 tbsp

Pantry

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

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the beef into 3 cm cubes and brown it in hot oil in a large pot. 10 min

    Brown the meat on all sides to give the broth more flavor.

  2. Add the sliced onions, garlic, grated ginger, and diced tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cover with water.

    Grate the ginger unpeeled if the skin is thin.

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

    Skim the surface during the first few minutes to keep the broth clear.

  4. Meanwhile, cook the rice in salted water, then drain it. 12 min

    Rinse it well so the grains stay separate.

  5. Add the washed spinach and watercress to the broth and cook for 5 minutes, then serve with the rice. 5 min

    These leafy greens cook quickly, they should stay bright green.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a well marbled stewing cut, like chuck, it turns tender after a long gentle simmer without drying out.
  • Keep the heat low throughout the simmer, a hard boil clouds the broth and toughens the meat.
  • Taste the broth before adding the leafy greens and adjust the salt then, since spinach and watercress absorb some of it.

The variations

  • Swap the watercress for mustard greens or shredded green cabbage if you can't find it, the result stays close.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with whole button mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of water.
  • To save time, use leftover cooked beef and cut the simmering time to 20 minutes before adding the leafy greens.

What to serve it with

  • Crushed fresh chili on the side
  • Lime wedges
  • Cold lemon water

Storage

Romazava keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, rice stored separately. It freezes well without the rice, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a little water if the broth has reduced too much.

Questions about this dish

Can you make romazava ahead of time?

Yes, make the beef broth the day before and reheat it gently the next day. Add the spinach and watercress only right before serving so they keep their color.

What meat can I use if I don't have chuck?

Another stewing cut like blade or shin works just as well. The key is choosing a cut that holds up to a long, gentle simmer without drying out.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, use thawed and drained frozen spinach, adding it a bit earlier since it's already cooked. The texture will be slightly softer than fresh spinach.

Is romazava good for kids?

Yes, the broth is mild and the meat turns very tender, which kids generally enjoy. You can blend a small ladleful separately if your child prefers smoother textures.

How long does it take to make a romazava with rice?

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

How many calories are in a romazava with rice?

About 640 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 romazava with rice cost?

About €3.60 per serving, or €14.40 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.

African and overseas cuisines

See all

Beef recipes

See all