Soda Djabi (Malian Soybeans and Rice)
A flavorful and nutritious dish from Mali, Soda Djabi combines tender soybeans with aromatic rice, creating a satisfying meal. This recipe offers a taste of Malian home cooking, often prepared with simple yet impactful ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cup Dried soybeans(soaked overnight and drained)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced tomatoes(undrained)
- 3 cups Vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups Rice(long-grain white rice, rinsed)
- 1 leaf Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 1 pinch Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 2
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Add the soaked and drained soybeans, diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to combine.
- 4
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the soybeans are tender.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 5
Stir in the rinsed rice. Ensure the rice is submerged in the liquid. If needed, add a little more broth or water.
- 6
Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 7
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Fluff the rice and soybeans with a fork.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Serve hot as a main dish.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking soybeans overnight is crucial for tenderness and digestibility.
- ✓Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your spice preference.
- ✓If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped bell peppers or carrots along with the onions for extra vegetables.
- For a meatier version, add browned ground beef or chicken to the stew before adding the rice.