Botswana-style Sausage and Bean Stew

Ingredients

In this adaptation, we have taken the traditional Romanian dish, Fasole cu cârnați, and transformed it into a Botswana-style stew. While the original dish uses specific Romanian sausages and spices, we have replaced them with locally available sausages and a blend of Botswana spices to create a unique flavor profile. Additionally, we have incorporated traditional Botswana cooking techniques and ingredients to give the dish an authentic Botswana touch. We alse have the original recipe for Fasole cu cârnați, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef sausages, sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef sausages, sliced
• 400g (14 oz) canned white beans, drained and rinsed 400g (14 oz) canned white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 30g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced sausages and cook until browned. Remove the sausages from the pot and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, diced bell pepper, and diced carrot. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. 4.
   Add the paprika, cayenne pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices.
5. 5.
   Return the sausages to the pot and add the drained and rinsed white beans. Stir to combine.
6. 6.
   Pour enough water into the pot to cover the ingredients. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the flavors have melded together.
7. 7.
   Adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Botswana-style Sausage and Bean Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sausages — Choose sausages with a good balance of meat and fat for a flavorful stew.
• White beans — If using canned beans, make sure to drain and rinse them thoroughly before adding to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier stew, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
• Serve the stew with a side of steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• Feel free to add additional vegetables such as diced potatoes or zucchini for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, mash some of the beans with a fork before adding them to the pot.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick and satisfying meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Botswana-style Sausage and Bean Stew in deep bowls, allowing the flavors to meld together. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, serve the stew with a sprinkle of paprika on top and a side of crusty bread. The vibrant colors of the sausages, beans, and vegetables will make the dish visually appealing.