Wali na Maharage ya Nazi
A comforting and flavorful dish of rice and beans cooked in a rich coconut milk sauce, infused with aromatic spices. This is a staple in Tanzanian cuisine, offering a hearty and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) Kidney beans(drained and rinsed, or 1.5 cups dried beans, soaked and cooked)
- 2 cups Basmati rice(rinsed)
- 1 can (13.5 oz) Coconut milk
- 2.5 cups Water
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 0.5 tsp Cardamom powder
- 0.25 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, and cinnamon powders. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they soften.
- 5
Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and salt. Stir to combine.
- 6
Pour in the coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- 7
While the beans are simmering, cook the rice. In a separate pot, combine the rinsed rice with 2.5 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked.
- 8
Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork. Gently stir the cooked rice into the bean mixture. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash more water or coconut milk.
- 9
Cover and cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If using dried beans, soak them overnight and cook them until tender before starting this recipe.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your preference. For a richer flavor, add a bay leaf while simmering the beans.
- ✓This dish is excellent for meal prep as the flavors deepen overnight.
🔄 Variations
- Add some chopped spinach or other leafy greens in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure you use vegetable oil and vegetable broth if adding any liquid.