Beans Porridge

Growing up, beans was one of my favorite meals to eat. I was always excited when beans  was on the menu. Little did I know that a lot of people disliked it with a passion that I can barely describe. My mom of blessed memory was a fantastic good and I really loved the way she made her beans porridge. Unfortunately, she couldn’t pass on that recipe because she passed on when I was 7.

The first time I tried making beans was when I was 14 years old, and it was a total disaster. As a lover of beans, I couldn’t manage to eat it. It was that terrible. I got to perfect the recipe during my university days, when my roommate was kind enough to teach me her own style of making it, and with the little additions here and there, I’ve been able to come up with one of the best beans porridge recipes out there. Now, I understand that the reason most people don’t enjoy it, could be that it was poorly made or badly prepared.

The beans tutorial I’m about to share is full proof and it has been proven over and over again to be the best. Try it and let me know.

Beans Porridge Ingredients

Beans: This is the star of the dish. Beans come in different sizes and types but for this beans porridge, brown beans were used. This is because they cook very softly and give the meal a very rich taste.

Crayfish: This adds a rich and savory flavour to the beans.

Red oil: An essential to the food. Brings the beans porridge together while adding a rich flavor and color to the food

Onions: The onions flavour elevates the entire beans porridge.

Seasoning Cube /Boullion: Adds a flavourful taste to the dish. Typically elevates the taste of the meal.

Salt: This enhances the taste of the meal, while adding its own unique flavour. Salt helps in bringing out the meal’s richness.

Habanero Pepper: What’s a beans porridge without pepper mix? Pepper alongside the red bell pepper uplifts the taste of the meal. Adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish without having to be too spicy. 

Red bell pepper (Tatashe): One of the pepper mixes that adds great taste to the meal. It is very important that you remove the seeds of this pepper. This is to avoid the natural bitter taste that comes with the seed.

How to prepare beans porridge step by step guide

Step 1: Cook your washed beans with onions

1. First, carefully pick through the beans to remove stones
2. Wash your beans properly, then add the washed beans to a pot and cover with water.
3. Cut your onions into thin slices and add to the beans.
4. Masure out your water and cobie with the beans and onions.
5. Cook together until the beans begin to soften.

Step 2: Cook beans to soften

While the beans ais cooking with the onion, check at intervals to see if it has softened. You don’t want to cook hard rock beans. So, you allow it to soften and add water at intervals.

Step 3: Add your pepper mix, salt and seasoning

1. If your beans has softened, go in with your pepper mix. Pepper mix is your blended pepper and onions(optional). In this case, our pepper mix is a mix of red bell pepper (tatashe) and ordinary pepper. This adds a rich flavor and colour to your meal. 
2. Once the pepper mix is in, add your seasoning and salt to enhance the taste of your beans porridge.

Step 4: Add your crayfish

Grind or blend your crayfish, then add it into your pot. 

Step 5: Go in with your oil

Once you’ve added every other ingredient, it’s time to go in with your oil. Pour the oil into the pot and stir. Red oil adds this base richness, flavor, taste and color to your meal. 

Step 6: Garnish and serve

1. You’ve added all your ingredients. Now, it’s time to taste your food for salt and adjust your seasoning to your preferences.
2. Turn off the heat and bring down your pot.
3. Allow to cool for some minutes, then serve.

How To Serve Your Beans Porridge

Beans porridge is one very flexible food. It is versatile and can be paired with well fried plantain, which adds its sweetness to the food. This sweetness automatically elevates the taste of the food and makes it more yummy and enjoyable.

You can as well pair it with soaked garri (cassava flakes) and sugar or pap.

Serve this dish with bread to brin out that Nigerian taste or enjoy alone.

Try this next: Asun Jollof Rice

How to Store Your Beans Porridge

When not served or finished immediately, it is advisable to store your beans in a clean container and refrigerate. The container must be airtight so that water or any other thing do not go into it. When its time to preheat, add very little water or oil to it and cook. You can store for as long as one week and eat whenever you feel like.

What are the health benefits of beans porridge

A great source of Protein and Fibre

Beans are an excellent source of protein, which helps in the building and repair of bodily tissues. Beans porridge is perfect for anyone who is looking to get protein free of meats of any kind. Beans porridge is a rich source of fibre too. The fibre aids in digestion, helps to prevent constipation and aids weight control. 

Good for Your Heart

Regular consumption of beans porridge may help to lower a type of cholesterol in the body known as LDL. LDL is called “bad” because too much of it can clog your arteries and harm your heart. Beans help to maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Rich in Nutrients

Beans are very rich in minerals like iron, potassium, and magnesium, and vitamins such as folate. Beans porridge gives your body energy and supports overall well-being.

Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

Beans have a low glycemic index (a number that shows how quickly a food raises your blood sugar), which makes it a great option for keeping blood sugar steady, especially for people with diabetes.

Reduces Disease Risk

Eating beans often can also help in reducing some long term diseases in the body.

Beans Porridge Or Pottage

Beans Porridge

This usually refers to a soft, thick (somewhat), and smooth dish where beans are cooked until tender, often mashed slightly, and combined with water, palm oil, or other ingredients. It has a more porridge-like consistency (almost creamy) and is often eaten on its own or paired with other side dishes.

Beans Pottage

Pottage is chunkier and less smooth. The beans are cooked until soft, but they keep more of their shape, and the dish is usually a bit thicker than porridge, with visible beans and other ingredients like vegetables, peppers, or tomatoes. It is often served as a side or main.

If this beans porridge hit the spot, save the recipe so it’s always handy whenever you’re in the mood for a warm, satisfying dish.

I’d love to know how it went in your kitchen, so feel free to leave a comment below. And if this recipe came in handy, please pass it along to friends or share it on social media so more people can enjoy it.