DINNER IN 180 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
1
Step 1
Soak the samp and beans together in plenty of cold water overnight. Drain and rinse.
DINNER IN 180 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
VEGETARIAN · DINNER
Umngqusho (Samp and Beans)
Creamy umngqusho, the classic Xhosa samp and beans, slow-cooked with onion and tomato. Serves 6; soak overnight.
Total time180 min
YieldServes 6
DietVegetarian
Shopping11 ingredients
DifficultyEasy
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Ingredients
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Method
4 steps · about 180 minutes total
2
Step 2
Cover with fresh water in a large pot, bring to the boil, then simmer partly covered for about 2 hours, topping up with water, until both are soft.
3
Step 3
In another pan, fry the onion in the oil until soft, then add the garlic, paprika, tomatoes and potato and cook for 5 minutes.
4
Step 4
Add this to the samp and beans with the stock and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until creamy and the potato is tender. Season well.
Before you serve
Cooking notes & good-to-know answers.
Small details for confident timing, useful swaps, and safer leftovers.
Cooking notes
Dried beans must be soaked and boiled until fully soft before eating.
A pressure cooker cuts the first simmer to about 45 minutes.
Serve on its own or with stew or chakalaka.
Good to know
Yes. Soaking overnight shortens the cooking time and helps them cook evenly.
Yes. After soaking, cook on low for about 8 hours with enough water to cover.
Samp is dried maize kernels that have been stamped and broken, with the outer skin removed.
About this recipe
Umngqusho is a Xhosa dish of samp (broken dried maize) and beans slow-cooked until creamy. It is hearty, filling and inexpensive, and famously a favourite of Nelson Mandela.
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