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Matoke ya Nyama (Braised Green Bananas with Beef)
Hearty green plantains stewed tender with beef chuck, tomatoes, and aromatic Royco curry base in a velvety sauce.
The story
Hailing from Western and Central Kenya, matoke ya nyama is a cornerstone comfort dish shared during Sunday gatherings and communal lunches. Green cooking bananas (matoke) require swift peeling under oiled hands or cold water to avoid the sticky white latex sap staining the skin. The hallmark savory profile of contemporary Kenyan kitchens relies on simmering the starchy bananas until just fork-tender in a rich broth fortified with classic East African curry seasonings.
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