By Aulah Najjuuka
Here’s a simple katogo recipe, which is a popular one-pot dish in Uganda that is hearty and budget-friendly. It’s traditionally made with matooke (green bananas) and can be cooked with beans or beef.
Ingredients:
- 10 green matooke fingers
- 1 cup boiled beans (red or kidney beans)
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Water or broth (for cooking)
- Fresh coriander (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the matooke
- Peel the matooke fingers and place them in a bowl of water to prevent them from turning brown. Set aside.
- Sauté the onions and garlic
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and curry powder (if using). Cook for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down into a sauce.
- Add the matooke and beans
- Drain the matooke and add them to the pot, followed by the boiled beans. Stir everything together to coat the ingredients in the tomato mixture. You can also replace the beans with beef or offals for a heartier version.
- Simmer
- Add enough water or broth to cover the matooke and beans. Season with salt to taste.
- Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer for about 20–30 minutes, or until the matooke is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve
- Once cooked, remove from heat. It can serve two people. Garnish and serve hot, as a standalone meal or with a side of avocado.
Katogo is versatile, and you can customise it based on what’s available or your preference!
