Savory Ugandan Matoke with Crunchy Ground Peanuts Recipe

Delicious Ugandan Matoke with Ground Peanuts

In this delightful Ugandan recipe, we bring you a rich and flavorful matoke dish, a traditional green plantain delicacy, enhanced with the delightful crunch and nutty flavor of ground peanuts. This dish, a true embodiment of Ugandan cuisine, promises a symphony of flavors, with the aromatic garlic and ginger, and the tangy kick of lemon juice. This is a perfect dish for a simple yet memorable dinner for two.

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Intermediate

Preparation time: 20 minutes, Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 green plantains (matoke), peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 50 grams of ground peanuts (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 small piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of coriander
• 1 teaspoon of paprika

Method

• In a medium saucepan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, cumin, coriander, and paprika. Cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the flavors meld.
• Stir in the chopped plantains and mix well with the onion-tomato mixture.
• Add 500 ml of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the plantains are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the ground peanuts, lemon juice, and salt. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the peanuts to thicken the mixture.
• Serve the matoke hot, garnished with a sprinkle of paprika for an added kick.

Tips

• For a smoother texture, you can lightly mash the plantains once they are tender.
• Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add a bit of chili powder for a spicy variation.
• Serve with a side of steamed white rice for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information