{"id":"matoke_e77fbc1b27","slug":"matoke-ugandan-green-banana-stew","title":"Matoke (Ugandan Green Banana Stew)","description":"A traditional East African staple, this hearty and savory stew features starchy green bananas simmered in a rich tomato and beef sauce with aromatic spices.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"8-10 green cooking bananas (matoke)","name":"Green Cooking Bananas (Matoke)","quantity":9,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":9,"usUnit":"piece","form":"green, peeled","notes":"cooking variety (Matoke)","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500g beef chuck, cubed","name":"Beef Chuck","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"stewing beef","group":"protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 tbsp vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 large red onion, chopped","name":"Red Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"red","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"3 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp fresh ginger, grated","name":"Ginger","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"grated","notes":"fresh","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"3 large tomatoes, chopped","name":"Tomato","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"large","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tsp turmeric powder","name":"Turmeric","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp ground cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"500ml beef stock","name":"Beef Stock","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tsp salt, or to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"Fresh cilantro for garnish","name":"Cilantro","quantity":1,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"bunch","form":"fresh","notes":"for garnish","group":"garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides.","group":"Sautéing","title":"Heat oil in a large pot","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Sautéing"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes, turmeric, cumin, and salt. Cook until tomatoes soften and form a thick paste.","group":"Aromatics","title":"Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Aromatics"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Peel the matoke (green bananas) and cut them into chunks if they are large. Add them to the pot and toss with the meat and spices.","group":"Assembly","title":"Peel the matoke and cut them","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in the beef stock until the matoke is mostly covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the bananas are tender and have turned a golden/yellowish color.","group":"Simmering","title":"Pour in the beef stock","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Simmering"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Once tender, you can lightly mash a few of the bananas to thicken the gravy. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.","group":"Finishing","title":"Once tender, you can lightly mash a few of the bananas","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditionally, Matoke is steamed in banana leaves, but this stewed version is popular for its rich sauce and ease of preparation in modern kitchens.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["East African","Ugandan"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","stew"],"equipment":["large pot","knife","vegetable peeler"],"diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmatoke_e77fbc1b27%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7f3018b1-b7f9-4aa5-b3b1-9ab7eb2418a6","imageAlt":"Matoke (Ugandan Green Banana Stew) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["matoke","ugandan","banana stew","hearty","high protein","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Matoke (Ugandan Green Banana Stew)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:13:38.709Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:13:38.709Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_17142e2daf","slug":"asida-traditional-african-porridge","title":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge)","description":"A thick, smooth, cooked flour pudding popular across North and East Africa, typically served with melted butter and honey or date syrup for a comforting breakfast.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Sudanese","Libyan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_17142e2daf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e46cb0f8-07cd-453d-8e07-df1274fe8fc9","imageAlt":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge) — recipe cover","tags":["porridge","traditional","sweet","dough","filling","soft"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_e6582a3999","slug":"firfir-ethiopian-breakfast-fit-fit","title":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit)","description":"A classic savory Ethiopian breakfast made with torn pieces of injera soaked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of berbere spice, aromatics, and spiced clarified butter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e6582a3999%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f2f625e4-ee9c-425d-8c20-8e0103664b3e","imageAlt":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit) — recipe cover","tags":["firfir","ethiopian","spicy","breakfast","injera","african"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_18a4e55c12","slug":"kitfo-ethiopian-minced-beef","title":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef)","description":"A traditional Ethiopian delicacy featuring finely minced lean beef seasoned with spicy mitmita and rich, aromatic niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter).","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_18a4e55c12%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aeedadce-d5d5-4aa2-aa31-f13472950759","imageAlt":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef) — recipe cover","tags":["beef","spicy","ethiopian","kitfo","high-protein","african-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}