West African Beans Food

AFRICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Cook dry beans according to instructions on packet. (No need with canned beans).
• Sauté onions until they are soft and clear.
• Add tomato paste, coconutcream and seasonings, stirring over a gentle heat until they form a smooth and creamy sauce.
• Drain beans and add to sauce. Allow to simmer gently for 15 minutes or so, stirring from time to time.
• Serve on brown or white rice accompanied by a salad.

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.

WEST AFRICAN BEANS

Steps:

• In skillet, add Oil, Onion, Garlic.
• Cook on med heat, stirring often.
• When onion is lightly browned, add Tomato Paste.
• Stirring constantly until the Paste has'separated' and is a deep burgundy/brown color.
• Be careful not to let burn!
• Takes about 10-15 minutes.
• Stir in Bean'juice'.
• Then, add the beans, salt and 1cup of the water.
• Let simmer about 10min.
• Stir occasionally.
• When mixture begins to thicken, stir in Cayenne Pepper, to taste and continue to simmer til you have a thick, velvety'sauce'.
• Use remaining water to adjust consistency to your liking.
• Serve over White Rice.
• Yummy!

AFRICAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Melt margarine in large stock pot.
• Add carrots. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add water, black eyed peas, navy beans, green pepper, salt, and crushed red pepper (add more water, if necessary, to cover).
• Cook, covered, until ingredients are tender, 1 1/2-2 hours.
• Add peanuts, onion powder, basil, and coriander during last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
• Taste to correct seasonings.
• Soup should be thick.

JOLLOF RICE

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and black pepper.
• In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add chicken pieces and brown on both sides.
• Place chicken in a kettle and set aside.
• Add onions and salt pork to oil in frying pan and saute until onions are trans- parent.
• Add onions and pork to kettle.
• Set frying pan aside. (Do not discard oil.).
• Add bouillon cubes, red pepper, thyme, 1-1/2 cups water, and tomato paste to kettle and stir well.
• Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
• Add rice to frying pan and stir to coat with oil.
• Add rice and vegetables to kettle, stir well, and cover.
• Cook over low heat 35 to 40 minutes or until vegetables and rice are tender.