Katogo Recipe

KATOGO RECIPE

Katogo recipe

Now, katogo isn’t your fancy-pants, Michelin-star meal. No, sir! It’s the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from your grandma, if your grandma was a Ugandan chef with a penchant for comfort food. It’s a humble dish, made with whatever’s lying around in the kitchen, but don’t let that fool you. Katogo is a flavor bomb waiting to explode in your mouth.

The base of this magical concoction is usually matooke, those green bananas that Ugandans are so fond of. They’re peeled, mashed, and cooked until they’re soft and creamy, like a baby food that actually tastes good. Then comes the protein, which can be anything from beans to beef to offal, depending on your mood (and how adventurous you’re feeling).

Ingredients

  • 4 large green bananas, peeled and chopped (matooke)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 large tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Salt to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the tomatoes, bell peppers, and scotch bonnet pepper (if using) and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ginger, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper (if using) and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Add the matooke and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the matooke is tender.
  5. Season with salt to taste. Serve hot.

Tips

  • If you don’t have a scotch bonnet pepper, you can substitute with another type of hot pepper.
  • You can add other vegetables to the katogo, such as carrots, potatoes, or beans.
  • If you want a richer flavor, you can add a can of coconut milk to the katogo.
  • Katogo is traditionally served with ugali, a type of cornmeal porridge.

Enjoy!