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Vegetarian, Africa and overseas

Mbaazi wa nazi with rice

Mbaazi wa nazi is a Swahili coast dish of beans simmered in coconut milk and curry, served over rice. For 4 people, it takes 40 minutes, is very easy to make, and costs €1.80 per serving. The key to success is keeping the coconut milk at a gentle simmer so it never splits or boils hard.

Tonight we're heading to the Swahili coast with mbaazi wa nazi, beans simmered in coconut milk and curry, served over rice.

Mbaazi wa nazi with rice
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
580 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Mbaazi wa nazi is chickpeas simmered in coconut milk scented with curry and turmeric, with melted tomatoes giving the sauce body. The result is creamy, lightly spiced but never hot, with a squeeze of lime at the end that wakes everything up. It's a comforting dish that feels different from your usual weeknight rotation without asking for any special skills.

This is the kind of recipe to pull out on a weeknight when you want a warm dinner without spending hours on it. Kids tend to like it because the curry stays mild and the creamy coconut sauce smooths everything out. You can just as easily serve it to guests, it's a pleasant surprise and costs very little to make.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Canned chickpeas or pigeon peasoften in the pantry 2 can
  • Coconut milkoften in the pantry 40 cl
  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Mild curry powderoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 3
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Cilantro 10 sprigs
  • Lime 1

The step by step recipe

  1. Thinly slice the onions and garlic, and dice the tomatoes.

    A finely sliced onion melts into the sauce faster.

  2. Cook the onions and garlic in the oil, add the curry powder and turmeric, and stir for 30 seconds. 5 min

    Stir quickly, the spices should flavor the oil without burning.

  3. Add the tomatoes and let them break down, then stir in the drained and rinsed beans, coconut milk, salt, and pepper. 20 min

    Keep the heat low, coconut milk can split if it boils hard.

  4. Cook the rice in a large pot of salted water, then drain it. 12 min

    Rinse the rice before cooking so the grains stay separate.

  5. Sprinkle with cilantro, squeeze over the lime juice, and serve over the rice.

    The lime adds the acidity that balances the sweetness of the coconut.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain and rinse the chickpeas well before adding them, this keeps the sauce from tasting like canned beans.
  • For a thicker sauce, roughly mash a small handful of chickpeas with a fork before stirring them in.
  • Cook the rice while the sauce simmers gently, everything will be ready at the same time and nothing will go cold.

The variations

  • Swap the chickpeas for canned pigeon peas if you can find them, that's the traditional version of this dish.
  • For a spicier version, add a small split green chili along with the tomatoes.
  • For picky kids, serve the sauce separately from the rice and let everyone add their own cilantro and lime to taste.

What to serve it with

  • Plain basmati rice
  • Chapati flatbread
  • Spiced black tea or lemon water

Storage

Mbaazi wa nazi keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. The dish freezes well without the rice, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can I use boxed coconut milk instead of canned?

Yes, but pick a thick, creamy version since boxed coconut milk is often thinner. The sauce will be slightly less rich, so you can simmer it a bit longer to compensate.

Can this dish be made ahead?

Yes, the bean sauce actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have settled. Just add the lime juice and cilantro right before serving.

Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, soak them overnight and cook them for about 45 minutes before adding them to the sauce. It takes longer but the result is just as good.

Is the curry powder very spicy?

No, the recipe uses mild curry powder so it stays kid friendly. If you like more heat, add a fresh chili on top.

How long does it take to make a mbaazi wa nazi with rice?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a mbaazi wa nazi with rice?

About 580 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 a mbaazi wa nazi with rice cost?

About €1.80 per serving, or €7.20 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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