Madesu na Loso (Congolese Beans and Rice)
A hearty and flavorful dish of slow-cooked red beans served over fluffy rice, often accompanied by boiled green bananas. This is a staple comfort food in Congolese cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Dried red beans
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 0.5 small Red onion(thinly sliced)
- 0.25 medium Green bell pepper(thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 3 Bay leaves
- 1 tsp Garlic salt
- 2 cups Rice
- 4 Green bananas
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Soak the dried red beans overnight. Drain and rinse them, then place them in a pot with fresh water. Cook on the stove for about 40 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- 2
While the beans are cooking, heat the olive oil in a separate large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and sauté until translucent.
- 3
Add the sliced green bell pepper to the pot and stir for another 1-2 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste until well incorporated. Add a little water to reach a consistency similar to marinara sauce and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently.
- 5
Add the ground nutmeg, salt, and garlic salt to the pot. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water.
- 6
Add the cooked beans and bay leaves to the sauce. Stir to combine, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 7
Meanwhile, boil the green bananas with their skins on in a separate pot until the skins start to split. Drain and let them cool slightly. Peel and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- 8
Cook the rice according to package directions. Serve the bean stew over the rice, with the sliced green bananas on the side.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a quicker version, use canned beans, rinsed and drained.
- ✓Ensure the beans are cooked until tender but not mushy.
- ✓The green bananas add a unique starchy texture and slight sweetness.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like tomatoes or spinach.
- Incorporate a pinch of chili flakes for a touch of heat.