Githeri — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

A hearty one-pot stew of boiled maize kernels and beans simmered with onions, tomatoes, and spices, a staple comfort food across Kenya.

Ingredients

1 Boil soaked maize and beans together in a large pot with enough water to cover by two inches for about one hour until both are tender.
2 In a separate pan, heat oil and sauté diced onions for five minutes until translucent and lightly golden.
3 Add chopped tomatoes to the onions, cook for five minutes until they break down into a thick sauce.
4 Drain most of the cooking water from the maize and beans, then add the onion-tomato mixture and stir to combine.
5 Season with salt and pepper, simmer for ten more minutes so flavors meld together into a cohesive stew.
6 Serve hot in deep bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro and accompanied by a cup of chai.

Did You Know?

Githeri is so central to Kenyan life that it was served at state functions during the early independence era as a symbol of national identity.