For this week’s video, we’re making a hearty and flavour-packed beef short rib served with creamy iPapa, savoury fried cabbage, and a fresh, zesty salsa.
It’s rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced — tender, slow-cooked beef, smooth maize meal, buttery cabbage, and a bright salsa to cut through it all. This is the kind of meal that feels homely but still elevated, made with simple ingredients and bold flavours.
Ingredients
For the Beef Short Rib:
1–1.5 kg beef short ribs
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1 beef stock cube
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups water or beef stock
2 tbsp oil
For the iPapa (Soft Maize Meal):
2 cups maize meal
4 cups water
Salt to taste
1 tbsp butter (optional)
For the Fried Cabbage:
½ head cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, grated
½ onion, sliced
2 tbsp oil or butter
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Fresh Salsa:
2 tomatoes, diced
¼ red onion, finely chopped
½ cucumber, diced
Fresh coriander, chopped
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Cook the Beef Short Rib
Heat oil in a large pot and brown the short ribs on all sides.
Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
Add tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes.
Return the ribs to the pot and season with paprika, salt, pepper, and beef stock cube.
Add water/stock, cover, and let simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours until tender.
Stir occasionally and top up liquid if needed.
Once soft, allow the sauce to reduce slightly until rich and thick.
2. Prepare the iPapa
Bring water and salt to a boil.
Gradually add maize meal while stirring to avoid lumps.
Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and smooth.
Add butter for extra richness (optional).
3. Make the Fried Cabbage
Heat oil or butter in a pan.
Sauté onion until soft.
Add cabbage and carrot, and cook until tender but still slightly crisp.
Season with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare the Fresh Salsa
Combine tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and coriander.
Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Mix well and set aside to let the flavours develop.
To Serve
Plate the creamy iPapa, top with the tender beef short ribs and rich gravy, add a side of fried cabbage, and finish with a spoonful of fresh salsa for brightness.
Follow us on Instagram:
Alyndale: @alyndale.machethe
Gerald: @gerald.machethe
source
