Mukimo wa Njahi
Mukimo wa njahi is a traditional delicacy enjoyed by the central people of Kenya. It is commonly served to breastfeeding mothers as it is said to boost milk production. It is also served during festivities such as weddings and funerals. It is made of mashed black beans with cooked green bananas and ripe bananas served with veggies on the side.
Ingredients
- 1 kg (4 cups) pre boiled black beans
- 5 medium green bananas
- 5 medium ripe bananas
- 2 large onions, diced
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Start by soaking your black beans overnight so as to reduce gassiness and also the time required to boil them.
- Drain off the water used to soak, clean them then add clean water ready to pressure cook the beans for 45 minutes.
- As the black beans are boiling, clean the green banana and boil them unpeeled for 20-25 minutes.
- Meanwhile as the black beans and green bananas are cooking, dice the onions then peel the ripe bananas and cut into pieces then set aside.
- After 20-25 minutes, check the boiling green bananas. You know they are ready when their skins crack open. Once ready remove from water and allow to cool before peeling them or simply use two forks to peel the skin off. Then mash them using a fork or masher then set aside.
- Once the black beans are ready and pressure has released, drain then mash them with a mortar and pestle or a food processor then set aside.
- On a clean cooking pot, heat the cooking oil and cook the onions till slightly browned.
- Add it the ripe bananas to fry them for about 3 minutes then start mashing them up using a masher or wooden spoon on very low heat.
- Next, add in the mashed green banana and the mashed black beans. Keep mashing everything together till well incorporated. Should there be need, you can add a little warm water.
- Season with sea salt and serve with some veggies of your choice.
Notes
The ripe bananas add some sweetness to the dish and should not be skipped.
While boiling the green bananas, you can opt to peel them first before boiling.