Madesu (Congolese Bean Stew)
In short: White beans simmered soft with palm oil, onion, tomato and garlic until the broth turns creamy and orange. A Congolese staple for rice or fufu. It takes about 2 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Madesu is the everyday bean dish of Kinshasa and many other Congolese cities. Dried white beans cook slowly with onion, garlic and tomato, and a few spoonfuls of palm oil turn the broth orange and silky. Many families add a piece of salt fish or smoked pork, but the plain version is just as loved and happens to be vegan. Ladle it over rice or serve it next to fufu, fried plantains or chikwangue.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and put them in a large pot with the water. Bring to a rolling boil and boil hard for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam. Then reduce the heat and simmer partly covered for 45 minutes, until almost tender.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the palm oil in a pan. Cook the onions for 6 minutes until soft, add the garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute, then add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until jammy.
- Stir the tomato mixture into the beans along with the chili and salt. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until the beans are completely soft and some have broken down to thicken the broth.
- Stir in the fish if using, the pepper and the remaining palm oil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then taste and adjust the salt.
- Press a ladleful of beans against the side of the pot with a spoon for a creamier broth. Serve hot with rice, fufu or fried plantains.
Tips
- Short on time? Use three 400 g (14 oz) cans of drained white beans and simmer them with the sauce for just 25 minutes.
- Red palm oil gives the classic color and flavor. If you must substitute, use sunflower oil with 1/2 teaspoon of sweet paprika for color, though the taste will be milder.
Questions and answers
Can madesu be made ahead?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months, and add a splash of water when reheating.
Is madesu vegan?
The base recipe is. Cooks often add salt fish or smoked meat, so leave those out for a fully plant-based pot.
What do you eat with madesu?
Rice is common at home. Fufu, chikwangue and fried plantains (makemba) are the classic companions, with a spoonful of pili-pili for heat.
How long does it take to make Madesu (Congolese Bean Stew)?
About 2 h 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Madesu (Congolese Bean Stew)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 13 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
