Getting started with Katogo

Katogo is a popular Ugandan dish made with green bananas (matooke) or irish potatoes cooked with meat, beans, or groundnuts. It is a hearty and delicious one-pot meal. Here’s a basic recipe for matooke katogo with beef and beans:

Ingredients:

• 6-8 green cooking bananas (matooke), peeled and chopped into chunks
• 1 cup beef, cut into small pieces (can also use chicken or any preferred meat)
• 1 cup cooked beans (such as red kidney beans or black beans)
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or palm oil)
• 2 cups water or beef/chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1 green chili pepper, finely chopped (for added spiciness)
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon turmeric or curry powder (for color and flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the matooke and meat:
   • Peel the green cooking bananas and chop them into large chunks. Set aside.
   • Season the beef pieces with salt and pepper or any preferred meat seasoning.
2. Saute the onions and garlic:
   • In a large cooking pot or saucepan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the hot oil. Cook them until the onions become translucent and slightly golden.
3. Cook the meat:
   • Add the seasoned beef to the pot and cook until it browns and is cooked through. If using chicken, cook until it’s no longer pink inside.
4. Add tomatoes and spices:
   • Add the diced tomatoes to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they soften and release their juices.
   • If you’re using the optional green chili pepper for spiciness or the turmeric/curry powder for color and flavor, add them at this stage.
5. Add the matooke and beans:
   • Now, add the chopped matooke and cooked beans to the pot with the meat mixture. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
6. Add water or broth:
   • Pour in the water or beef/chicken broth to the pot, ensuring that it covers the ingredients.
7. Season and simmer:
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to distribute the flavors.
   • Cover the pot with a lid and let the katogo simmer over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
   • Cook until the matooke is tender and cooked through. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
8. Serve:
   • Once the katogo is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together, it’s ready to be served.
   • Katogo is typically served hot and can be enjoyed as a hearty main meal.

Feel free to customize this katogo recipe by using different meats, beans, or adding vegetables to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious and comforting Ugandan katogo!