D.R.C - Loso na Madesu
Healthy plant-based bean stew!
Aneri's note: I have not been to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but have long appreciated the history and culture of this country. One of the best non-fiction books I have read is King Leopold's Ghost, and it's a remarkable and well written account of one of the worst genocides in history comparable to the Holocaust that sadly the world knows very little about. The DRC could easily be an economic powerhouse with all of its resources if it didn't have such a tragic colonialist history that has never been fairly provided reparations from Belgium and has led to decades of generational trauma so that it's people have to work so hard to get under their past to come out strong in its future.
Losa na Madesu
Difficulty level (1-10): 4
Losa na Madesu is a really tasty savory plant-based stew to pair with rice.
Ingredients:
Kidney beans - 1 can
Red onion - 1/2 sliced thinly
Green bell pepper - 1/4 sliced thinly
Sustainable palm oil - 1/4 cup
bay leaves - 2
Garlic - 3 cloves
Crushed tomato - 2 cups
Green onion - 1
Water - 2 cups
Veg bouillon cube - 1
Tomato paste - 1 TB
Cooked rice - 2 cups
Heat the oil and cook the onions until translucent. Add the bell pepper and keep stirring for a minute or 2.
Put the garlic and green onion in a food processor and process. Add it to the pot and fry for 1 minute.
Drop the tomato paste into the pot and stir until well incorporated.
Add the crushed tomatoes, beans, salt, water, bouillon, and bay leaves.
Cook until the consistency is of a thick stew and serve with cooked rice!
Recipe adapted from Travel by Stove and Rita's notebook.
Like this dish? Check out other similar African rice & bean stews: Costa Rica - Gallo Pinto Republic of Congo - Saka Saka
Chad - Daraba Central African Republic - Spinach Stew Cape Verde - Jagacinda Burundi - Red beans and plaintains Burkina Faso - Ragout d'igname Botswana - Morogo Angola - Kizaka