Mpunga wa Nyemba (Malawian Rice and Beans)
A simple yet satisfying one-pot dish combining rice and beans, often flavored with onions, tomatoes, and a touch of chili, serving as a staple meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice(long-grain white rice, rinsed)
- 400 g Cooked beans(canned or home-cooked (e.g., kidney beans, black-eyed peas))
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 200 g Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 3.5 cups Water or vegetable broth
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 Chili pepper (optional)(finely chopped)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they start to break down.
- 3
Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir to coat it with the onion, garlic, and tomato mixture.
- 4
Pour in the water or vegetable broth, add salt, black pepper, and chili pepper (if using). Bring to a boil.
- 5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- 6
Add the cooked beans to the pot, gently stir them into the rice. Cover again and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
- 7
Let the rice and beans stand, covered, for 5 minutes off the heat before fluffing with a fork. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the rice is well-rinsed to remove excess starch, which can make the dish gummy.
- ✓If using home-cooked beans, make sure they are fully cooked before adding them.
- ✓For a more robust flavor, you can add a bay leaf or a pinch of curry powder.
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped spinach or other leafy greens in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Stir in some coconut milk with the water for a creamier texture.
- Serve with a side of fried plantains or a simple tomato and onion relish.