Maizibwa ne Nyemba (Maize Meal and Bean Mash)
A hearty and comforting mash made from maize meal and beans, often flavored with onions and tomatoes. It's a staple dish that is both nutritious and filling.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Dried beans (e.g., black-eyed peas, kidney beans)
- 6 cups Water(for cooking beans)
- 2 cups Maize meal (white or yellow)
- 4 cups Water(for maize meal)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the dried beans and soak them in water overnight, or for at least 6 hours. Drain and rinse.
- 2
Place the soaked beans in a pot with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 30-40 minutes. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid.
- 3
While the beans are cooking, heat the cooking oil in a separate pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot with the onions and cook until they break down, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5
Add the cooked beans to the tomato and onion mixture. Stir well.
- 6
In a separate bowl, gradually whisk the maize meal into 4 cups of water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pot with the beans and vegetables.
- 7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the maize meal is cooked and the mash has thickened to your desired consistency, about 20-25 minutes. Add a little of the reserved bean cooking liquid if it becomes too thick.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a creamier texture, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot.
- ✓If you don't have dried beans, canned beans can be used. Add them in step 5 and adjust cooking time accordingly.
- ✓This dish can be served as a main meal or as a side dish.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like spinach or pumpkin leaves towards the end of cooking.
- For a richer flavor, a knob of butter or margarine can be stirred in at the end.