Beef and Matoke Soup (Enkoko n’omutoke)
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Beef, cubed — 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
- Green bananas (matoke), peeled and chunked — 4
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Carrot, sliced — 1
- Tomatoes, chopped — 2
- Vegetable oil — 2 tbsp
- Water — 1.5 L (6 1/3 cups)
- Fine salt and black pepper — to taste
- Fresh coriander, chopped, to garnish
Method
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan and brown the beef cubes for 6-8 minutes.
- Add the onion and cook for a further 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they break down.
- Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 35-40 minutes, until the beef is tender.
- Add the green banana chunks and sliced carrot, and simmer for a further 15-20 minutes, until tender.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh coriander before serving hot.
Introduction: This light, brothy soup pairs tender beef with chunks of green banana, offering a gentler alternative to the thicker groundnut-based dishes more commonly associated with matoke.
Cultural Background: This light, brothy soup pairs tender beef with chunks of green banana, offering a gentler alternative to the thicker groundnut-based dishes more commonly associated with matoke. It is a comforting, easy-to-digest meal often given to those recovering from illness as well as enjoyed as an everyday family soup.
Tips: Simmer the beef low and slow before adding the bananas, so the meat is fully tender by the time the soup is done. Cut the banana chunks a similar size to the beef pieces so they cook evenly.
Variations: Add a handful of chopped greens such as dodo or spinach in the final few minutes. Use goat meat in place of beef for a more traditional, richer-flavoured broth. Not commonly made vegetarian, as the light broth relies on beef for its flavour base. Not applicable.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
FAQs:
Q: Can this soup be made with chicken instead of beef?
A: Yes, chicken pieces work well and will cook a little faster, needing only about 25-30 minutes of initial simmering.
Q: Why do the bananas turn slightly yellow in the soup?
A: This is natural as the green bananas soften and release some of their starch; it does not affect the flavour.
- Beef, cubed — 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
- Green bananas (matoke), peeled and chunked — 4
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Carrot, sliced — 1
- Tomatoes, chopped — 2
- Vegetable oil — 2 tbsp
- Water — 1.5 L (6 1/3 cups)
- Fine salt and black pepper — to taste
- Fresh coriander, chopped, to garnish
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