Ugandan Matoke

Elmotoo's Note:

Matoke (or Matooke) refer to the plantain or plantain banana in Uganda, where plantains are a staple crop. In Uganda, plantain bananas are often wrapped in plantain leaves and steamed until tender. This dish can be made with or without the meat.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 8 -10 plantains
• 1 lemon, juice of (optional)
• oil (for frying)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 -3 tomatoes, chopped (or canned whole tomatoes, drained)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 -4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 chili pepper, chopped (optional)
• salt or coriander or cayenne pepper (to taste) or red pepper (to taste)
• 1 lb ground beef (optional) or 1 lb beef stew meat, cut in bite-sized pieces (optional)
• 1 cup beef broth (optional) or 1 cup beef stock (optional)

Directions:

1. Peel the plantains, cut into cubes, sprinkle with lemon juice, and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large pan. Fry the Onion, tomatoes, green pepper, hot pepper, and garlic together. Add spices to taste. Add meat or broth. Continue frying and stirring until the meat is nearly done or until the broth is starting to boil.
3. Reduce heat. Add plantains. Cover and simmer over low heat until plantains are tender and meat is done. Serve matoke (matooke, if you prefer) hot.

Reviews

[Mrs.JenB]

I have not made it yet but I am so stoked! I spent most of my summer last year in Uganda and this was amazing! I miss it. Can't wait to make :)

[sassafrasnanc]

This was an easy and delicious recipe. The only thing I would suggest is that you use the stew beef rather than ground beef. It just seemed like it would have been a much better texture (I should have known this anyway). I added a few extra spices in addition to the salt, cayenne, red chili and coriander. I also added a dash of cardamom and nutmeg! Loved the plantain! Thank you for the wonderful authentic recipe! Made while travelling through Africa with my Babes on the ZWT4.

[realbirdlady]

An easy, mild dish, very filling. I used a jalapeno for the chile, but didn't add any more pepper as spice. I omitted the beef, and used water instead of beef stock.