Katogo (Ugandan Matooke and Beef Breakfast Stew)
In short: Green bananas simmered with beef, tomato, onion and carrot in one pot until soft and saucy. A Ugandan breakfast that is eaten at any hour. It takes about 2 h 5 min in total and makes 5 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 40 min
- Total
- 2 h 5 min
- Servings
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 500 kcal
Katogo is often translated as a mixture, and that is exactly what it is: starch and a sauce cooked together in a single pot. The best-known version pairs matooke with beef, though cassava, sweet potato, beans or offal are common partners. It is a filling Kampala breakfast, but it also turns up as a quick lunch or a weekend family meal, and it asks for only one pot and one spoon.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef in two batches, about 6 minutes each. Set it aside.
- Cook the onion in the same pot for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes, carrots and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes more, until the tomatoes break down.
- Return the beef to the pot with the salt, black pepper and water. Cover and simmer over low heat for 50 minutes, until the beef is nearly tender.
- Add the matooke chunks, pushing them down into the liquid. Simmer, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring gently once or twice, until the bananas are soft and the sauce has thickened. Add a little hot water if it looks dry.
- Taste, adjust the salt and stir in the herbs. Serve hot, straight from the pot.
Tips
- Peel the bananas with oiled hands and keep the pieces in cold water until they go into the pot, because the cut flesh turns gray when it meets air.
- Katogo is flexible. Swap the beef for cooked beans or smoked fish, or replace half the matooke with cassava or sweet potato.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between katogo and matooke?
Matooke is steamed and mashed, then served with a sauce. In katogo the bananas simmer in the same pot as the meat and vegetables, so everything cooks together.
Can I make katogo with offal?
Yes. Tripe, liver and other offal are common choices. Simmer tripe until tender first and add liver only for the last few minutes so it stays soft.
How long does leftover katogo keep?
Refrigerate for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of water. The bananas thicken the sauce as it cools.
How long does it take to make Katogo (Ugandan Matooke and Beef Breakfast Stew)?
About 2 h 5 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Katogo (Ugandan Matooke and Beef Breakfast Stew)?
About 500 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 57 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 57 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
