Ayimolou (Togolese Rice and Beans)
Ayimolou is a comforting and hearty one-pot dish made from rice and beans cooked together. It's a popular staple in Togo, often flavored with aromatic ingredients and sometimes colored with sorghum leaves for a unique reddish hue. This versatile dish can be enjoyed on its own or served with various stews and sauces.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Black-eyed peas (dried)
- 1.5 cups Basmati rice
- 6 cups Water(plus more as needed)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Baking soda (optional)(for texture and color)
- 1 handful Dried sorghum leaves (optional)(for color)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly. In a large pot, combine the rinsed peas with 4 cups of water and the optional baking soda. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the peas are tender but not mushy. If using sorghum leaves, add them during the last 15 minutes of simmering.
- 2
Drain the peas, reserving the cooking liquid. Rinse the pot and return the drained peas to it. Add the chopped onion and vegetable oil.
- 3
Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Add the rinsed rice to the pot with the peas.
- 4
Add the remaining 2 cups of water (or enough to cover the rice and peas by about an inch). Stir in the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Avoid stirring too much to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- 6
Let the Ayimolou rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes off the heat before fluffing with a fork.
- 7
Serve hot, with your favorite Togolese stew or sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking the beans overnight can reduce cooking time.
- ✓If you don't have sorghum leaves, you can achieve a reddish color by adding a small amount of tomato paste.
- ✓Adjust the water quantity based on your desired consistency; less water for a firmer dish, more for a softer one.
🔄 Variations
- Use other types of beans like black beans or kidney beans.
- Add smoked fish or meat for a richer flavor.
- Serve with a spicy tomato sauce (Yebésséfionfion) or a peanut sauce.