Out of the different foods we make in Kenya and East Africa, Githeri is one of the easiest to make but also healthy and delicious. It stands out for its versatility, and here we show you how to cook githeri. All this is affected by where you are from.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to enrich it with the best flavors because they will make it blend in the rich flavors and spices. Whenever you visit Kenya, try this recipe for ideas on how to make it.
So what is Githeri?
Githeri is a popular meal among Kenyans and East Africans, but the term Githeri comes from the language Agikuyu of Kenya. This doesn’t mean that it was never part of the other tribe’s recipes; rather, it was just made differently. We call it Nyoyo in Luo and Muthokoi in Kamba.
Muthokoi and makande are slightly different, but the concept is the same. They like to use the dried maize that you remove the peels.
Githeri is a traditional meal in Kenya that we make from a mixture of boiled maize and beans.
It’s one of the hearty, nutritious, easy-to-make meals Kenyans love so much. Here we intend to show you a step-by-step guide on how to make it.
How to make Githeri
Githeri is one of my favorite meals, and it’s an easy-to-make yet versatile choice. Mind you, it’s okay to make it hot and spicy. We seek to show you how to cook githeri. The following recipe is one of the easiest to use.
Once you boil the githeri, it should look like this. And remember, some people eat it just as it is below but if you would like to make it even better try the recipe we have.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of dried beans
- 2 cups of maize
- One onion, chopped
- Three tomatoes, chopped
- Two tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water
Method:
- Soak the beans in water overnight. This will help to reduce the cooking time.
- Rinse the beans and put them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the beans and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the beans simmer for about 30 minutes.
- While the beans are cooking, rinse the maize kernels and add them to the pot. This works best if we are talking green maize. Add more water if necessary to ensure the maize and beans are covered.
- Note, sometimes we use the dried maize kernel to make githeri. If this is the case,e then you can soak the maize with the beans and start boiling it simultaneously. You can use the pressure cooker to reduce the boiling time.
- Continue to simmer the maize and beans until they are both cooked. This can take up to 1 hour, depending on the type of beans and maize you are using. You can test if they are done by tasting a few kernels and beans.
- Note that for those who love Githeri, like my dear sister, at this point, it’s ready. If you like, add salt to it and enjoy it. This is the traditional way we eat it sometimes, and of course, you receive all the great nutrients. But let’s add more value to it.
- In the second part of the githeri preparation, drain excess water from the pot and set the maize and beans aside.
- In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil and add the chopped onion. Fry the onion until it is soft and translucent. For more flavor, you can use spring onions.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and stir well. Let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes or until the tomatoes have broken down and become mushy.
- Add the cooked maize and beans to the pan with the tomatoes and onions. Stir well to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other spices, such as cumin, coriander, or chili powder.
- Let the mixture simmer for another 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve the Githeri hot with your favorite accompaniments, such as tea, juice, or coffee.
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Tips for making Githeri:
- You can use any dried beans and maize that you like. Some popular choices include red kidney beans, white beans, yellow maize, and white maize.
- You can add other vegetables to the Githeri, such as carrots, potatoes, green peppers, or spinach.
- Githeri is a great make-ahead meal; once you have the boiled mix of beans and maize, freeze it. It will serve you even weeks later.
- If you don’t have time to soak the beans overnight, you can use a pressure cooker for cooking them faster.
- To add more flavor to your Githeri, you can fry some bacon or beef before adding the onions and tomatoes.
FAQs
Is Githeri healthy?
Most people wonder about this, but it all depends on how you cook it. In most cases, though, we can clearly state that githeri is healthy. It’s high in proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and carbs, but of course, if you will go on and add lots of unhealthy fats, then you compromise it.
Of course, to reap the benefits, you want to ensure you don’t overeat, as that will cause digestive issues and maybe even weight gain.
Is it okay to eat just as the mixture of beans and maize boiled?
Of course, this is great and even healthier this way. Traditionally for some tribes like Luos, we just ate it this way.
What makes the recipe we suggested here a great choice?
It’s rich yet simple, and all the ingredients we suggested are readily available. We didn’t add lots of ingredients that would otherwise compromise the flavors. We wanted it to be as traditional as possible.
Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use other methods to make it even richer. I like my Githeri in its simplest form so well, I make it this way.
What are the side dishes for Githeri?
Generally, when you eat githeri, you eat a whole me, but you can also add avocado to the recipe to make it even richer and more nutritious. If you like, add different salads like cucumber salad or take some juice, tea, or coffee to make it even more delicious.
How long will it last?
It all depends on where you keep it. If you refrigerate it, make sure you eat it within three days. If you freeze it, you can have it safe for up to 6 months. Just make sure you keep it secure.
In conclusion, you can make Githeri wherever you are because you only need maize and beans. Githeri is a simple yet delicious meal you can enjoy at any time of the day. Well, there you have it; how to cook githeri.
With a few basic ingredients and patience, you can make a hearty and nutritious dish that will satisfy your hunger and warm your soul. So why not give it a try today?