Spicy Ugandan Matoke with Groundnut Sauce

A traditional East African plantain dish with a rich, nutty twist

This dish features tender plantains simmered in a spicy groundnut sauce, offering a unique and flavorful journey that reflects the vibrant Ugandan cuisine.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

Matoke

6 ripe plantains

peeled and halved

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Groundnut Sauce

1 cup peanut butter

smooth

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 tomatoes

diced

1 onion

chopped

2 cloves garlic

minced

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salt and black pepper

to taste

Spice Mixture

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon turmeric

Garnishings

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 lime

cut into wedges

Preparation

Preparing the Matoke

Heat the oil

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Brown Plantains

Add the plantains and brown them on all sides; remove and set aside.

Season Plantains

Sprinkle the plantains with a pinch of salt.

Preparing the Groundnut Sauce

Sauté Onion

In the same pot, add onion and sauté until translucent.

Add Aromatics

Stir in garlic, tomatoes, and the spice mixture; cook until aromatic.

Combine Peanut Butter and Broth

Mix in peanut butter gradually, followed by broth, stirring until smooth.

Ensure the heat is moderate to prevent the peanut butter from separating. You can add a chili pepper for extra heat before serving.

Cooking Process

Simmering Sauce

Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 20 minutes to develop flavors.

Incorporating Plantains

Add plantains to the sauce and ensure they are well-coated.

Final Touches

Cook for another 25 minutes until plantains are tender and sauce thickens.

Plating & Serving

Spicy Ugandan Matoke with Groundnut Sauce

FaUtensils

Serving Suggestion

Serve the matoke hot, garnishing with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime on the side for extra freshness.

Sauce Pairings

Spicy Groundnut Sauce

rich and nutty

Fresh Lime Wedges

for brightness

Garnishes & Accompaniments

Chopped Fresh CilantroCrushed Peanuts

Perfect Sides

Steamed Rice

Ugandan Chapati