African Red Beans Recipes

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.

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.

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!

AROMATIC AFRICAN RED BEANS

Steps:

• Pick through beans to remove any bad ones. Soak in plenty of water, overnight if possible (about 6 hours minimum). Don't add salt at this stage, it will only make the beans tough.
• Ready to cook - drain and rinse the beans thoroughly then place them in a large pot with the 8 cups of fresh water, the onion, celery, and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Cook over low heat for about an hour or until the beans are tender.
• Stir and mash beans against side of pan, leaving some whole.
• Add green pepper, garlic, parsley, thyme and seasonings to taste. Cook uncovered over low heat until almost creamy for about 20 minutes.
• Remove bay leaves before serving over some hot cooked brown rice.

AFRICAN RED BEANS & COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight. Drain and rinse beans well. Place beans in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot with 6 cups water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours until tender. Add more water during cooking if necessary, using just enough to make a gravylike sauce. You can cook this in the crockpot if you like, on high for 4-5 hours, checking occasionally(remember you still want at the end a gravylike consistency).
• In a medium skillet, sauté onions, celery and potatoes in olive oil 15 minutes until potatoes are almost soft. Set aside.
• Puree almonds and soymilk in a blender until smooth. Add sautéed vegetables, almond milk, salt, cayenne and black pepper to cooked beans and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
• While beans simmer, bring 4 cups water to boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous, 1 teaspoon olive oil and salt. Cover saucepan, remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.