Maharagwe ya Nazi (Kenyan Coconut Beans)
In short: Red kidney beans simmered until tender, then cooked in coconut milk with onion, tomato, turmeric and cumin, a creamy coastal Kenyan favorite. It takes about 2 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Maharagwe ya nazi, beans in coconut, is a staple of Kenya's Swahili coast. Kidney beans simmer until soft, then finish in coconut milk with fried onion, tomato and gentle spices so the sauce turns creamy and golden. It is eaten with rice, chapati or mahamri and often appears at celebrations along the coast. The beans are mild and rich, with a squeeze of lemon at the end to lift the sweetness of the coconut.
Instructions
- Put the beans and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and boil hard for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam. Reduce the heat, partly cover and simmer for about 1 hour until nearly tender.
- Heat the oil in a skillet. Cook the onion for 6 minutes until soft, then add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin and ground coriander for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook for 8 minutes until pulpy.
- Stir the tomato mixture and the chili into the beans, along with their cooking liquid. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Pour in the coconut milk and add the salt. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes until the beans are very tender and the sauce is creamy. Mash a few beans against the pot to thicken it.
- Stir in the lemon juice and fresh coriander. Serve with rice, chapati or mahamri.
Tips
- Short on time? Use 3 cans (400 g / 14 oz each) of kidney beans, drained, and simmer them in the coconut sauce with 120 ml (1/2 cup) water for 15 minutes.
- Keep the coconut milk at a gentle simmer. A hard boil can make it split. Mash half a cup of beans into the sauce for a thicker, creamier result.
Questions and answers
What do you eat maharagwe ya nazi with?
Plain rice, chapati, mahamri or ugali. It also goes well beside grilled or fried fish.
Can I use other beans?
Yes. Pinto beans and black-eyed peas work, and pigeon peas (mbaazi) cooked in coconut are another coastal classic. Black-eyed peas cook faster, in about 30 minutes.
Can I freeze maharagwe ya nazi?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Stir well as you reheat it so the coconut milk comes back together.
How long does it take to make Maharagwe ya Nazi (Kenyan Coconut Beans)?
About 2 h 5 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Maharagwe ya Nazi (Kenyan Coconut Beans)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 540 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
