Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

Sunflower Oil

Dried Beans

1 Large onion

1 400ml Tinned tomatoes

2 Cloves garlic

Pinch Sugar

Pinch Salt

2 Handfuls pumpkin leaves

Chicken Thighs or Whole Chicken African Styli cut into pieces   

Homemade Chicken Spice mix ( salt, african birds eye chillies, lemon, black pepper, & garlic)

2 knobs butter

2 Cups Millie Meal

Good pot for Maize Meal, Wooden spoon and arm muscles! :)

Method & Prep time mins -  mins

Soak the dried beans overnight and boil in a pan for approximately 1.5 hours. Set aside.

Fry the onion until browned and add the crushed garlic. Add the tinned tomatoes, pinch of sugar and salt to taste and simmer until cooked. Add the boiled beans to the tomato sauce with boiled water (just enough to cover the beans). Cook slowly until the beans are cooked and the sauce thickened. (Add salt/spice etc)

Mix the chicken thighs in the spice mixture and place in a roasting dish, with a splash of oil can also add a couple of knobs of butter.

Cover the dish with foil and roast for approximately 1 hour, until brown on both sides (22 degrees for 30 mins and turn down to 150/100).

Wash the pumpkin, chop and add to a pot with small amount water. Cook as you would spinach and this can be added to any tomato sauce mixture made earlier.

To make the Pap get 2 cups of maize meal and add cold water to form a paste in a pan. Pour boiling water and keep stiring for a least 30 minutes, the longer the better (otherwise could be raw). Keep adding maize meal and stir until a harder texture.

Serve each person 1-2 large spoonfuls of Pap. Remember this expands in your stomach after eating so go easy!

Enjoy with a big dollop of  Ac's caramelised chilli condiment 

© Malcolm Riley