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Vegetarian, Africa and overseas

Ibihaage with fried plantains

Ibihaage is a Rwandan dish of red beans simmered with onions, garlic, and carrots, served with fried plantains. It serves 4, takes 50 minutes, is very easy to make, and costs €1.50 per person. The key is browning the onions well and using plantains that are nearly black, so they caramelize when fried.

Tonight, we're tasting Rwanda with ibihaage, creamy red beans sautéed with onions and garlic, served with fried plantains.

Ibihaage with fried plantains
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.50
Calories per person
590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

The red beans simmer slowly with onions, garlic, and grated carrots until they turn soft and almost creamy. Tomato adds a touch of acidity, while raw garlic stirred in at the end wakes everything up, and the sauce coats rice or plantains beautifully. It's a comforting, meatless dish that fills you up without feeling heavy.

Ibihaage is easy to make on a weeknight, since the beans simmer mostly on their own while you do something else. Kids tend to love the fried plantains, sweet and soft inside, crisp outside. Mon Chou suggests this dish as a change from everyday legumes, with real travel flavor on a small budget.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Canned red beansoften in the pantry 3 can
  • Oiloften in the pantry 8 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Ripe plantains 4
  • Onion 3
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Tomatoes 2
  • Carrots 2

The step by step recipe

  1. Drain and rinse the red beans.

    Keep a bit of the can liquid, it helps thicken the sauce.

  2. In three tablespoons of oil, sauté the sliced onions, chopped garlic, and grated carrots. 10 min

    Let the onions brown well, they bring sweetness.

  3. Add the diced tomatoes and beans, along with half a glass of water, then season with salt and pepper. 20 min

    Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick.

  4. Peel the plantains and cut them into diagonal slices.

    Choose ones that are quite ripe, with nearly black skin, they caramelize better.

  5. Fry them in hot oil until golden, then serve with the beans. 10 min

    Drain them on paper towels before serving.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the beans well but save a bit of the can liquid, it helps thicken the sauce without adding extra water.
  • Grate the carrots finely so they melt into the sauce instead of staying crunchy.
  • Pick plantains with skin that's nearly all black, they'll be sweeter and caramelize better when fried.

The variations

  • Swap the canned red beans for dried beans cooked the day before, for a heartier texture.
  • For a spicier version, add a whole or sliced chili while the onions cook.
  • To save time, buy plantains that are already ripe and slice them thinner, they fry faster.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Raw cabbage salad
  • Ginger tea

Storage

The beans keep 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water, and fry the plantains just before serving so they stay crisp.

Questions about this dish

Can you use regular bananas instead of plantains?

No, regular bananas turn too sweet and mushy when fried. Plantains stay firmer and hold a better texture even when ripe.

Can you make the beans ahead of time?

Yes, the beans actually taste better reheated the next day, once the flavors have had time to blend. Fry the plantains right before serving.

How do you know if plantains are ripe enough?

The skin should be almost entirely black and slightly soft to the touch. The riper they are, the better they caramelize when fried.

Do kids usually like this dish?

Yes, the fried plantains, sweet and soft, are usually a hit with kids. Mashing the beans slightly also makes them easier for little ones to eat.

How long does it take to make an ibihaage with fried plantains?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in an ibihaage with fried plantains?

About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an ibihaage with fried plantains cost?

About €1.50 per serving, or €6.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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