Gombo Sauce Recipe (Burkinabé Okra Stew)

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh okra, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1/2 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 lb smoked fish (such as mackerel), flaked and deboned
• 1/4 cup red palm oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
• 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole (for flavor, remove before serving)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground crayfish (optional, for umami depth)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups chicken or beef stock
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (for brightness)