Mashed Dishes Recipes: Mukimo wa Njahi (Raw & Ripe Bananas)

This category includes recipes that call for mixing all the ingredients together before serving.
Traditionally, many Kenyan communities incorporated a variety of foods, maybe as soup, either as a coping tactic or to reduce cooking time. These meals were consumed alone and were thought to have a high nutritional base.

The most common ingredients used in these dishes were a root (such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or cassava), green or ripe bananas, a green vegetable, maize, and a legume.
These foods go by several names in various communities.
For instance, Mukimo is widespread among the Kikuyu and Meru groups, Mushenye among the Luhya communities, and Kimanga among the Taita and coastal populations.

Most infant dishes are created from this category, which is a fairly widespread practice in many Kenyan communities.
Hard materials like maize are not used in baby food recipes.

Mukimo wa Njahi (Raw & Ripe Bananas)
This sweet Mukimo wa Njahi is prepared using ripe bananas typical among the Kikuyu community. It was prepared mainly for lactating mothers and during dowry ceremonies. To date, this remains an important recipe among the Kikuyu community and is served mainly during Lunch.

Ingredients
– 5 1/8 cups (1 kg) Njahi dolichos lablab, black beans, raw, dry
– 21 large (3 kg) raw, unpeeled bananas
– 12 large (1.2 kg) ripe, unpeeled bananas
– 5 tsp. (21 g) salt iodized
– 28 ¾ cups (6037 g) water

Preparation 10 minutes | Cooking 4 hours 30 minutes | Serves 8
• Sort the black beans, wash, and cook in 23 cups of
water for 4 hours or until ready or soft.
• Mash the black beans until smooth.
• Meanwhile, peel the ripe bananas and set aside.
• Boil the green bananas in 2 ½ cups of water until
they are soft.
• Once ready, add the peeled ripe bananas. Add the
rest of the water and salt into the mixture.
• Let the water come to a boil. Add this mixture to
the mashed black beans.
• Mash until soft and serve while hot.

A traditional treat loved by the people of central Kenya is mukimo wa njahi. It is frequently given to nursing women since it is believed to increase milk production. Additionally, it is offered at celebrations like weddings and funerals.
It is made of cooked green and ripe bananas mixed with mashed black beans, served with vegetables on the side. This meal is nutrient-dense.
This meal, mutore, is made with a specific variety of bananas. Not all bananas can be utilized to achieve the proper level of authenticity.

Content courtesy of Kenya Food Recipes, Mama Ntilie & NFH
A Recipe Book of Common Mixed Dishes With Nutrient Values, As Prepared By Communities