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Ye-kosta wat (Swiss chard and potato)

Ye-kosta wat: Swiss chard and potato stewed with onion, garlic and green chilli

Kosta, Swiss chard, is grown in backyard plots from Bahir Dar to Hawassa, and during the long fasts it is stewed with potatoes into this simple green dish found on almost every vegan beyaynetu. Onion, garlic and ginger soften in oil, potatoes go in first, then the chopped chard stems and leaves, all cooking down together into a soft, juicy stew that is mild, fresh and a little sweet, with a gentle heat from green chilli. Spoon it onto injera beside spicier wats, or eat it with rice. The common mistake is adding the stems and leaves at the same time; the stems need a few minutes longer. Chef's tip: a pinch of turmeric is not traditional in every home but gives the potatoes a warm golden colour against the green.
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4
  • 1 ⅛ lb Swiss chardstems sliced, leaves roughly chopped, kept separate
  • 1 red onionfinely chopped
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 garlic clovescrushed
  • 1 tsp fresh gingergrated
  • 12 ½ oz potatoespeeled, in 2 cm cubes
  • 2 green chilliesslit lengthways
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric (optional)

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Method

0/4 done
  1. Step 1: Cook 1 red onion in a dry pan over a medium heat for 5 minutes until soft. Add 3 tbsp vegetable oil, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp fresh ginger and ¼ tsp ground turmeric if using and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.

    7 min
  2. Step 2: Add 12 ½ oz potatoes, ¾ cup water and ¾ tsp salt, cover and simmer for 8 minutes until the potatoes are half cooked.

    8 min
  3. Step 3: Add the sliced 1 ⅛ lb Swiss chard stems and 2 green chillies, cover and cook for 4 minutes.

    4 min
  4. Step 4: Add the chard leaves, stir until wilted, cover and cook for 5–6 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the leaves soft and dark. Serve with injera.

    6 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
175 kcal
Protein
4 g
Carbs
21 g
Fat
8 g
Fibre
5 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does ye-kosta wat (Swiss chard and potato) take?
About 35 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of red onion?
White onion or shallots, same amount (soak raw onion in cold water for 10 minutes to soften it).
What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.

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