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Rice and Beans

Also known as Rice and Beans (Nigerian Style)

Rice and Beans cooked together is one of the most nutritionally balanced and widely eaten everyday meals in Nigeria — a complete protein combination that has sustained Nigerian families across all social classes for generations. The dish can be prepared as a simple boiled combination seasoned with palm oil and pepper, or elevated into a full one-pot meal with the beans and rice cooked together in a richly seasoned sauce.

Rice and Beans, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 2 big cups of long-grain rice, washed
  • 1 big cup of honey beans (oloyin) or black-eyed beans, soaked overnight
  • 3 big ripe tomatoes, blended
  • 2 Tatashe (red bell peppers), blended
  • 2 Atarodo (hot chilli peppers), blended
  • 1 big onion, sliced
  • 2 cooking spoons of palm oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 big handfuls of ground crayfish
  • 2 seasoning cubes (Knorr), crushed
  • Salt to taste
  • A big handful of smoked fish — optional
  • Water as needed

Method

  1. 01

    Pre-cooking the Beans. Drain the soaked beans. Place in a pot, cover with fresh water and boil for 30 minutes until half-cooked but still firm. Drain and set aside. The beans must not be fully cooked at this stage — they will finish cooking with the rice.

  2. 02

    Frying the Pepper Base. Heat oil in a wide pot. Add onion and fry 2 minutes. Add blended tomatoes, Tatashe and Atarodo. Fry for 15 to 20 minutes until oil floats on top.

  3. 03

    Adding Beans and Seasoning. Add the half-cooked beans to the fried pepper. Add ground crayfish, smoked fish if using, seasoning cubes and salt. Pour in enough water to cover everything by 1 finger-width. Stir well. Cook for 10 minutes.

  4. 04

    Adding the Rice. Add the washed rice to the beans and sauce mixture. Stir once to combine. Add a little more water if needed to just cover. Cover tightly with foil and lid. Cook on medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes until both the rice and beans are fully cooked and all liquid is absorbed.

  5. 05

    Serving. Stir gently before serving to mix the rice and beans evenly. Serve hot.

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