Maharagwe Red Beans Food

MAHARAGWE--(SPICED RED BEANS IN COCONUT MILK)

Steps:

• In a large pot, cover the beans with water and simmer until they are just tender, about an hour. Saute onions in oil until golden brown. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and simmer several minutes until the beans are very tender and the tomatoes are cooked (about 20 minutes). Serve over rice or a stiff porridge.
• For the coconut milk:.
• Makes about 3 cups.
• fresh white meat of 1 coconut
• Grate the meat by hand or process it in a blender. To extract the flavorful moisture from the gratings, it is easy to mimic the Africans' method of using a conical woven basket. Line a bowl with a cotton cloth such as cheesecloth, making sure that the lining is big enough to drape over the sides of the bowl. Dump the grated coconut onto the cloth and then pour 1 cup of boiling water over it. When it is cool enough to handle, gather the edges of the cloth and lift it above the bowl. Wring it with both hands to squeeze out the mlky liquid, which you should pour off and save. Repeat this process three times.
• The first squeezing is the most concentrated, so you should keep each squeezing separate and use them in order (i.e., use the first squeezing as the first cup in a recipe, etc.).

MAHARAGWE (RED BEANS)

Steps:

• Rinse and drain soaked beans. Place beans in a large cooking pot and add fresh water to cover.
• Bring to a fast boil and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce hat and simmer until beans are nearly tender.
• Add all remaining ingredients. Cover and cook until all is tender, stirring occasionally.

BEANS IN COCONUT SAUCE (MAHARAGWE YA NASI)

Steps:

• Drain the beans (after soaking overnight in water).
• Put the beans and water into a stockpot. Simmer over medium heat for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Drain and return the beans to the stockpot.
• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Sweat the onions, tomatoes and garlic until tender. Add the onion mixture to the beans. Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm!

AFRICAN RED BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight in 2 quarts of water. OR you could quick soak them by putting the beans into a heavy pot and cover with 2 quarts of water, bring to a boil and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the beans soak, uncovered for 1 hour.
• Bring the pot of soaked beans to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add 1/4 C of the onion and simmer, partly covered, about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. Drain the beans and set them aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil until it is hot but not smoking. Saute the remaining cup of onions until soft and translucent but not brown. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, cayenne pepper, white pepper and salt. Stirring frequently, simmer the mixture until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the beans and cook, uncovered, for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.