Madesu na Loso (Congolese Beans and Rice)
Local name: Madesu na loso
In short: Red beans simmered with palm oil, onion, tomato and chili until creamy, then spooned over rice, an everyday Congolese meal. It takes about 2 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 45 min
- Resting
- 10 h
- Total
- 2 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 585 kcal
Madesu are beans in Lingala, and madesu na loso, beans with rice, is a daily meal across the Congo region. Dried red beans are boiled until tender, then simmered in a sauce of palm oil, onion, tomato and chili until the liquid turns thick and creamy. A little smoked fish is a common addition. It is cheap, filling and easy to make in a big batch, and it tastes even better the next day.
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the soaked beans and put them in a large pot with the water. Bring to a hard boil and boil for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes, until nearly tender.
- Heat the palm oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the onions for 8 minutes, until golden, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, until they break down into a sauce.
- Stir the tomato mixture into the beans with the whole pili-pili, and the smoked fish if using. Simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the beans are very tender and the liquid is thick.
- Stir in the salt for the last 10 minutes. Mash a cupful of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the sauce, then taste and adjust the salt.
- While the beans simmer, cook the rice according to the package directions. Serve the beans over the rice, with extra pili-pili on the side.
Tips
- Always boil red beans hard for the first 10 minutes. This makes them safe to eat, and it is not a step to skip. Add the salt late, once the beans are nearly tender.
- For a smoky flavor without fish or meat, add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika with the tomatoes. Vegetable oil works in place of palm oil, though the color and flavor will be milder.
Questions and answers
What does madesu mean?
Madesu means beans in Lingala. Madesu na loso is beans with rice, and pondu ya madesu is a stew of cassava leaves and beans.
Can I use canned beans?
Yes. Use 3 cans of 400 g (14 oz) each, drained and rinsed, and simmer them in the sauce with 250 ml (1 cup) of water for 20 minutes.
Can I freeze madesu?
Yes. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Madesu na Loso (Congolese Beans and Rice)?
About 2 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Madesu na Loso (Congolese Beans and Rice)?
About 585 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 106 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 585 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 106 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 17 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
