Many Kenyans are familiar with Matoke, food made of green bananas that are either boiled or steamed.
The food originates from Uganda and has been adopted by other East African countries like Kenya who have modified it with time.
However, using green bananas, you can make delicious Mucui.
Mucui is a stew made of green bananas, potatoes and arrowroots. This modified dish is enjoyed mostly by the central Bantus of Kenya.
Follow the steps below and make something different and exciting;
Ingredients:
- 3 unripe bananas
- 4 medium-sized potatoes
- 3 arrowroots
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 kg meat
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups of water or vegetable broth
Instructions: Prepare the Ingredients
Peel the unripe bananas, potatoes, and arrowroots.
Cut them into chunks or slices.
Sauté the Aromatics
Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent.
Add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Add the meat
Add the Spices:
Sprinkle in the cumin seeds, turmeric powder, and paprika. Stir well to combine with the onions and aromatics.
Cook the Vegetables
Add the chopped unripe bananas, potatoes, and arrowroots to the pot.
Stir the vegetables to coat them with the spices and aromatics.
Pour in the water or vegetable broth, ensuring that the vegetables are submerged.
Simmer the stew
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Cover the pot and let the stew simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Add the Tomatoes
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the diced tomatoes to the pot.
Stir well and let the stew simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Season and Serve
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt according to your preference.
Once seasoned to your liking, remove the pot from the heat.
Serve Warm
Ladle the mixed unripe banana, potato, and arrowroot stew into serving bowls.
Serve hot as a comforting and hearty meal on its own or accompanied by rice or bread.
Fun Tips:
You can customise this stew by adding other vegetables such as carrots, peas, or bell peppers.
For added protein, you can include cooked beans or lentils to make the stew more substantial.
Garnish the stew with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley before serving for a burst of freshness and color.
To avoid getting the polysaccharide follicular gel (sticky substance) from green bananas apply some cooking oil on your hands.
To prevent the bananas from turning brown immediately after peeling rub lemon on them or put them inside lemon juice.
