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Kenyan Nyayo Beans Curry

Lentils, Beans or Legume are essentials in my vegetarian cooking. Red kidney, Chick peas, Pinto and Mung Beans just few names, many more varieties enjoyed by my family.. All type of beans are more than just a meat substitute. Beans are protein rich super foods, high in fibre, beans are not just good for my waistline ;-), but they may aid in disease prevention as well….

Few days back I stumbled across Nyayo Beans from Kenya, at my local grocery store. I never used them in my cooking before. First sight they did  just look like Pinto Beans, but when I saw both together I did spot the difference. You can see here in picture..tell me can you see any difference ? I bought them, and made Curry with Indian spices…Applause’s came through dining table and our lovely family decided to give Kenyan Nyayo Beans a permanent place with other beans :)))

Nyayo beans has this beautiful lightly smoky taste to it, In addition to lowering cholesterol, Nyayo bean’s high fibre content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal. By making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.
Stick around for tantalising Nyayo Bean recipe , which has become our family favourite !!

Below pics – Kenya Nyayo Beans

You will need:-

  • 250 g Nyayo Beans
  • 2 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp garlic and ginger puree
  • 2-3 green chillies finely chopped
  • 2-3 medium ripe chopped tomatoes or half a tin of plum tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • Salt to taste
  • 2-3 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp madras curry powder
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin and coriander
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • Fresh chopped coriander leaves

Method:-
Wash and soak the beans in water overnight to hydrate them.
I use pressure cooker to cook/boil beans. It saves a lot of time and energy.
Add in pressure cooker along with new water, salt and turmeric powder,  pressure cook for 10-12 whistle or 15-20 minutes. Let the pressure cooker cool naturally.
Note :- If you do not have pressure cooker simmer the beans in boiling and salted water for nearly 80-90 minutes or until well cooked. It should be soft. Check the water level occasionally.
When the beans are done, heat oil in a heavy bottom pan, add chopped onion and saute till light brown.
Add ginger-garlic puree and green chillies, fry for 1-2 minutes.
Add all the masala and fry for few seconds, now add chopped tomatoes and paste, cook until totally mashed. You will see oil on the surface.
Add boiled beans, and cook until sauce gets thicken.
Add chopped coriander and cook one or two minutes more.
Serve hot with rice, round and soft gujarati rotlis or Naan.
Recipe partly adopted from Pepper and Stew .

Wrochi

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

Almost ten years later but thank you for sharing the recipe

Saraswathi Ganeshan

Friday 14th of September 2012

I love beans in any form..this recipe is new and interesting..

Anonymous

Thursday 13th of September 2012

Just want to say how amazing you are with all your recipes. Can't wait to see what's next from you! YOU ROCK YOUNG LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mina Joshi

Thursday 13th of September 2012

wow - your curry looks amazing. We love these beans too.

Priya Suresh

Thursday 13th of September 2012

Nutritious and highly tempting, great looking beans curry.