#MbbaTastyThursday: Benachin, The National Dish Of Gambia

We love to share recipes of various Afro multicultural cuisines, to celebrate the rich and delicious variety of food and drinks from the motherland and the motherland diaspora. This week on our Afro Cuisine recipe is Benachin, a National Dish of Gambia. It is also called the Jollof rice of Senegambia. Gambia’s 57th independence anniversary celebration only a few days ago.

Benachin is a popular Gambian dish that is prepared in one pot alone. It consists of rice, vegetables and meat that is cooked together.

Ingredients For Benachin

Preparation

1. Put the chicken and beef pieces into a bowl.
2. Season the meats with salt, black pepper, garlic and a dash of vinegar, then leave undisturbed for thirty (0:30) minutes.
3. Heat a large pot, add the vegetable oil and fry the chicken until golden brown on all sides.
4. When the chicken is done, remove and set aside, then brown the beef in the same pot.
5. Add the onions to the beef and cook until brown.
6. Add the tomatoes and the tomato puree together with the minced hot pepper.
7. Stir these ingredients together and cook for fifteen (0:15) minutes.
8. Pour in the water and bring to a boil.
9. Add the chicken to the pot.
10. Add the chopped cabbage, chopped eggplant and the bay leaves to the pot.
11. Sprinkle salt to taste.
12. Use a large spoon to dish out the vegetables and chicken pieces, then set these aside.
13. Rinse the raw rice in cold water, then add to the pot.
14. Add the sliced bell peppers and bring to a boil.
15. Reduce the heat and let the ingredients simmer.
16. When the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, turn off the heat and place in a serving dish.
17. Arrange the chicken and vegetables on top of the rice and beef.
18. Serve hot

Recipe: @Nationalfoods