Githeri

Githeri is a one pot traditional Kikuyu dish that is made from beans and white maize (corn). It is a delicious, easy to prepare, protein rich dish which can be enjoyed on its own, with Ugali or Kenyan Chapati.

A Bit About Githeri

Pronounced as guh theory, Githeri is a typical Kikuyu dish. Both the beans and maize used can be fresh or dry. Nowadays some add curry powder, garlic and other spices. Traditionally, both are boiled in water till well done and the water has evaporated. Add salt and oil or fat just before serving. Here, my reference to the maize is the white variety and not sweet corn.

Originally from Central Kenya, it is now a popular dish all over Kenya. Depending on the area githeri goes by several different names, muthere, muthiri, isyo, nyoyo,mbegu. Fresh Beans and Maize makes the dish more tastier.  The dried ones can be prepared by soaking and cooking them. Nowadays it easy to find canned or frozen githeri which makes it so much easier to cook. The beans and corn are cooked and one just needs to add the spices and other vegetables.

Sometimes meat and vegetables like potatoes and greens were added. With influence from other cultures, Githeri takes on new forms but the equal combination of beans and maize are the core ingredients. When mixed with potatoes, plantain, cassava and greens it is called mukimo. What I’ve been made to understand is that other vegetables, beans and meat are added for special occasions only. To make it a wholesome meal add any of the below suggestions to your basic githeri.

Here are some vegetables that you can add to Githeri to make it into a stew:

• Carbohydrates: potatoes, sweet potato, plantain, cassava, yam, etc.
• Greens: spinach, collard, amaranth leaves, green beans, peas, carrot, fresh pigeon peas, etc.
• Beans: Kidney beans, Cowpeas, Pinto beans, dried pigeon peas- soaked, dried peas -soaked

A Bit About Kenya:

When one mentions Kenya, marathon runners, safari and wildlife comes to ones mind. Kenya is no doubt a beautiful country. From Mountains to beaches. Mount Kenya, the 2nd tallest mountain in Africa, is a mountain climbers dream with jagged peaks. Grasslands or Savannah, pristine beaches, The Rift Valley, every part of the country there is something to see. Kenya is known for its wildlife.   Lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, gazelles, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, rhinos roam the savannah. Shrubs to baobab trees, filled with all sorts of flora and fauna.

The famous song in Lion King, Hakuna Matata means no problem. Simba means lion in Kiswahili and Rafiki means friend. You will always receive a warm welcome with a friendly “Jambo” or “Hello.” Kenyans are a very friendly lot. It is a tradition to greet even if you you don’t know each other. It is considered rude if you don’t say ‘Jambo’.

I shared Githeri recipe on 21/09/2017 with Blogging Marathon whereby the theme was Protein Rich Dishes. For this theme I aim to prepare vegetarian dishes that are protein rich.

Check out 26 Vegetarian Protein Rich Dishes