Vegetarian
Chimpwepwe (peanut butter beans)
A stew of dried beans simmered in a creamy sauce of peanut butter, tomato and onion. A staple of everyday Zambian cooking, it goes with nshima and keeps very well from one day to the next.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spices & seasoning
Optional extras
On the side
Instructions
- The night before, soak the beans in plenty of cold water. The next day, drain, rinse them and boil for 10 minutes in fresh water, then discard that water.
- Cover the beans with a litre of water and simmer over medium heat for about 1 hour, until tender but not falling apart.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil and fry the sliced onion for 5 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and chilli and let them stew for 5 minutes.
- Dilute the peanut butter with a ladleful of the bean cooking liquid until you have a smooth, runny cream.
- Pour the peanut sauce into the pan with the beans, stir, then season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes over low heat, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the beans. Serve hot with nshima.
Variations and tips
Quick version. Use drained, rinsed canned beans: add them to the sauce at step 5 and simmer for only 10 minutes.
Enriched version. Add shredded cabbage or spinach leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
More ideas
Ifisashi (pumpkin leaves in peanut butter)45 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyImpwa (mashed beans)1 h 40 · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyMaize porridge with soy milk (porridge wa soya)25 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyChikanda (orchid tuber cake)55 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyIfisashi of cabbage (kabichi)40 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyIfisashi of pea leaves (feuilles de pois)35 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyEggplant ndiwo in peanut butter (biringanya na nthanga)40 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyNdiwo of eggplant (biringanya)40 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendly
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Zambia
Original Ecomely recipe.