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Ugandan African Feast | Malakwang, Sweet Potatoes, Plantains, Fish Stew, Rice

Malakwang And Sweet Potatoes:
This is an absolutely delicious Acholi, Luo, Ugandan dish. Sour and sweet usually go well together that's why malakwang and sweet potatoes are a perfect match! & taste so good. Malakwang was the very first Ugandan dish I learnt to cook in my youth and it came out perfect. Over the years, I have mastered the art of cooking it with excellent results every time. You too can learn to cook Malakwang to enjoy with your family and friends. As for Sweet potatoes, they are another Ugandan delicacy. When growing up, I used to plant them with my elder sister. They can be eaten with any sauce, or with peanut butter, sesame butter or a blend of both. We hope you enjoy this recipe!
Tasty Mackerel Fish Stew:
Before we came to the UK, the most popular fish we used to eat in Uganda, was tilapia because it was in abundance as we have the lake victoria right there to supply the Country with all sorts of fish.On relocating to the Uk, I carried on cooking tilapia but, the major problem I had was removing the bones for all the children as they were too young to do it themselves. I then went on to try out mackerel as the prices were quite reasonable.Mackerel truly saved my life! I realised that deboning it was so easy it doesn't have too many bones. Besides, the fish is full of meat. The whole family enjoy eating mackerel and it is cost effective.Gutting is a job that has to be done because you know, you will enjoy consuming it at the end. Therefore, embrace it.
How To Boil Rice:
In Acholi, there is a saying that goes, ("Dako Nywal Ki Wadi.") "A Woman Gives Birth To A Baby Through The Help Of Another Woman." Meaning, we all need each other and can help or teach each other how to do things, to achieve the desired goal. In my Acholiland, Uganda, we used to eat mainly, millet bread, sweet potatoes, maize meal or cassava with whatever sauces we had. Rice was eaten at big occasions such as Christmas. My elder sisters were the ones who used to cook it. However, when I came to the UK, those foods I mentioned above were not there or at least I didn't know where to buy them from. Rice was what we had to cook and eat. It was trial and era for long while until, one day, when I visited a friend who taught the basics of how to get it right; for which, I am forever grateful.
How To Boil Plantain:
As a family, we have always enjoyed eating fried plantain. However, in 2018, I decided to embark on a weight loss journey and cutting down on fat and sugar were on top of my list. Plantains have natural sugar which make them a better option to other artificially sweetened foods, with empty calories. Most of my family members embraced the idea of eating boiled plantain but others didn't so, they fried theirs. Am still to win them over. Sometimes I roast them in the oven or, still fry them whenever I feel like having fried ones.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings: 10 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African
Ingredients Equipment Method Video

Ingredients
  

Malakwang In Peanut Butter Sauce
  • 100 grams dry malakwang
  • 300 grams smooth peanut butter
  • 170 grams tin tomatoes ½ a tin of tomatoes
  • 1.5 litre water Add hot boiling water as needed
  • 1 tsp salt
Boiled Sweet Potatoes
  • 1 kg Ugandan sweet potatoes
  • 0.5 litre water
Fish Stew
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 3 medium carrots
  • 2 medium bell peppers
  • 2 medium onions
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
Plain Boiled Rice
  • 1 kg Basmati rice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 litres water
Boiled Plantains
  • 6 medium-ripe plantains
  • ½ litre water

Equipment

  • kitchen knife
  • Chopping board
  • wooden spoon
  • A large saucepan

Method
 

Malakwang
  1. Boil water in a pan
  2. Add the dry malakwang leaves
  3. Cook for 15 minutes
  4. Test for softness by pressing a bit of leaves against the wooden spoon
  5. Drain off the water completely
  6. Add fresh water
  7. Add tomatoes and boil for 5 minutes
  8. Add salt and mix well
  9. Add peanut butter and mix until it turns into a nice sauce
  10. Serve while still hot and eat with sweet potatoes
  11. Can be eaten with millet bread, maize meal or boiled cassava
Boiled Sweet Potatoes
  1. Peel the sweet potatoes and wash thoroughly well
  2. Cut to desired sizes
  3. Boil in a large saucepan for 20 to 25 minutes
  4. Poke with a knife or skewer to test for softness
  5. Serve with malakwang
  6. Can be eaten with any sauce of your choice
Preparation For Fish Stew
  1. Gut, wash the fish and cut them into 3 to 4 pieces each
  2. Chop the onions
  3. Wash the vegetables and set aside
Cooking The Fish
  1. Heat up the oil in a saucepan
  2. Fry the onions until golden brown
  3. Crush the garlic, add and fry for a few seconds
  4. Add curry powder and mix
  5. Add the tomatoes and mix
  6. Add paprika and black ground pepper and mix well
  7. Cover the saucepan with the lid and leave it to cook for 10 minutes
  8. Add the fish, mix and cook for 10 minutes
  9. Add the vegetables, mix gently and cover
  10. Leave it to cook for 10 minutes
  11. Check and taste
  12. Turn fire off and serve with either rice, sweet potatoes, or boiled plantain
  13. Enjoy the feast
Boiling Rice
  1. Wash and rinse out rice well in cold water till the water runs clear
  2. Add 2 litres of water to the rice
  3. Add salt and mix well
  4. Bring to the boil, cover and allow it to cook for 15 minutes
  5. Fork the rice, losenning it for even cooking and fluffiness
  6. Cover for a further 5 minutes
  7. Test for softness and serve
Preparation For Plantains
  1. Wash the plantains thoroughly well with cold water
  2. Cut each of them into four pieces, cutting off both ends first
Boiling The Plantains
  1. Place the clean plantains in a large saucepan
  2. Add hot boiling water to the pan
  3. Boil on high heat for 15 minutes then simmer for 5 minutes
  4. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes as it will be steaming hot and serve
  5. Remove the skin and enjoy
  6. Can be eaten with a stew, beans, spinach, peanut butter, binyewa, or any other saucy foods of your choice

Video