Burundi: Beans & Bananas

This actually turned out better than I expected. I fully anticipated that we would end up ordering a takeaway or something after another disappointing bean slop, but this came together surprisingly well. The recipe I was following called for dried beans, but like in my Bulgarian bob chorba I just used canned beans because it's significantly easier and means I don't have to soak them overnight.

This was super simple, and all in one pot (except for the rice which I served it with) which is my favourite types of meals. My partner likes it too, but only because he does the washing up whenever I cook (so all the time) and he complains when I make too much of a mess.

The dish was actually very tasty. The plantain goes a bit mushy but it's good because it releases its sweetness into the rest of the dish. I do recommend serving it up with rice though because I think the dish would lose its integrity and become a bit pile of slop otherwise.

I based my recipe off this one here.

Burundi Beans and Bananas
Serves 2

Ingredients

• 400g tin red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 plantains, peeled and chopped into slices
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Hot chili pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil over a medium heat in a saucepan and add onions. Fry until golden.
2. Add the beans and plantains, season with salt and pepper.
3. Add 2 cups of water and simmer until the liquid has reduced to about one cup.
4. Serve hot with rice.