Green Bananas/ Matoke
Green Bananas, also called Matoke, are a staple in several parts of the world, as well as a favorite in many homes especially when cooked well.
Not only are raw bananas rich in dietary fiber, but they are also a good source of potassium.
We grew up eating matoke. It was one of those easy straightforward meals especially for younger ones like us at the time.
Getting Creative with Matoke
Later as one in charge of the kitchen in our household, I learnt that a member of my household didnt fancy matoke. Knowing his background, I knew he probably ended up not liking raw bananas because of how they were prepared.
I had to learn to be creative making matoke.This recipe presents one of my favorite ways of making raw banans aka matoke.
I also love this recipe becasue it is nutritious, easy to bring together and really tasty. I’m glad to write that that member of my household enjoys matoke now.
One-pot Meal
Cooking matoke, beef, and vegetables as a balanced one-pot meal that you and your household will enjoy helps you with not making too much of a mess in the kitchen that will require lots of cleaning after.
You’ll also use fewer dishes which is a relief for most of us.
You will notice too that the accompanying ingredients are mostly available where you are.
I’ve created a balance that will give you not only a delicious meal, but a balanced one healthwise, and also on a budget.
In case you want to watch the video, find it at the end of this post where I’ve shared the exact procedure I worked with as I’m sharing it here.
One-pot Matoke, Beef and Vegetable Stew| Green Banana Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 Wooden Spoon
- 1 grater
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 2 medium size bunches raw Bananas/ matoke Wash and slice into sizeable pieces
- ¼ kg beef You can use up to ½ a kg. Cut it up into small chunks.
- 3 medium size carrots Slice into cubes
- 3 medium size courgettes Slice into cubes
- 1 large onion Cut up into small pieces
- 2 large Tomatoes Cut up into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
- 3 to 4 tablespoons cooking oil
- 3 tablespoon s chooped dhania/ coriander
- 2 medium size green and yellow bell peppers Sliced into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt or as preferred
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste Tomato paste is optional
- spices of choice Spices are optional too. I used a teaspoon paprika, half a teaspoon each of curry powder, gram, and beef masala, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper.
Instructions
- In a suitable pan, begin by boiling the meat until tender. If the meat is a little hard, add some water and boil until the meat is ready. The other ingredients will cook pretty fast.I like my meat to cook until all the water is basically gone and it begins to roast in the pan. This roasting makes the meal very tasty once your one-pot meal is ready.
- Add the cooking oil, then stir in the onion, garlic, and ginger.Keep stirring until the onion, garlic, and ginger are tender.
- Stir in the tomatoes and carrots until evenly mixed.Cover the pan, lower the heat, and allow everything to cook for two minutes to allow the tomatoes to get tender. This also gives the carrots a headstart since the other veggies will cook faster than the carrots.
- Uncover and give the ingredients a good stir. You'll notice the tomatoes breaking down as you stir. This provides for a delicious heavy stew.
- Add the salt and spices in case you are using spices, and the tomato paste too. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly mixed. Cover and cook for two minutes on low fire too so that the spices and paste can cook and blend in well with the ingredients in the pan.
- Uncover and stir in the bananas and courgette. Add a cup of water. (or two if you like your matoke stew soupy) Stir until everything comes together. Cover and bring to a boil.
- On medium heat, cook until the bananas are ready but not marshy. Most varieties of green bananas should take a very short time to cook. Start checking on them after five minutes to ensure they don't overcook so you can estimate how many more minutes they need to cook until ready.
- Once the bananas are ready, the courgette will obviously be ready, evenly stir in the dhania and bell peppers for a minute.
- Switch off your fire. Your one-pot meal is ready. Serve. We enjoyed it for our dinner.You will enjoy this one when you try it!
