Umngqusho (Samp and Beans)
Nelson Mandela's favourite: slow cooked cracked maize and beans, gently spiced. Soft, savoury and very filling.
- Time2 hr 40
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.48 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
The night before, cover the samp and borlotti beans with plenty of cold water in a large bowl and leave to soak.
- 2
Drain and rinse. Put them in a large pan with 1500 ml fresh water. Bring to the boil, skim off any foam, then turn down, cover and simmer for 1 hour 30.
90 min - 3
Meanwhile heat the oil in a small pan and fry the onion for 8 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
8 min - 4
Stir the onion mixture and the stock cube into the samp. Simmer, lid off, for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until both are soft and the liquid is thick and creamy. Add a splash of hot water if it catches.
35 min - 5
Season to taste, stir in the parsley and serve hot beside stews or grilled meat.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.