A rich, comforting stew of red beans simmered with palm oil, tomatoes, onions, and smoked fish, served as a protein-packed daily staple across the DRC.
Ingredients
2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
2 tbsp palm oil
2 large onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tomatoes, chopped
150g smoked fish, deboned
2 bouillon cubes
1 scotch bonnet pepper
Salt to taste
4 cups water
Instructions
1Drain soaked beans and place in a large pot with fresh water. Boil for 40-50 minutes until tender.
2In a separate pan, heat palm oil and saute onions and garlic until soft.
3Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes until saucy.
4Add the tomato mixture to the beans along with bouillon cubes and scotch bonnet.
5Stir in smoked fish and simmer for 20 minutes until thick and rich.
6Adjust salt and serve over rice or with fufu.
Did You Know?
Madesu is so central to Congolese daily life that the word has become slang for money in Kinshasa street language — both beans and cash are essential for survival.