Lerato's Tanzanian banana curry

• coconut oil↗2 tbsp tbsp
• red onion↗1

  finely chopped

• garlic cloves↗4

  grated

• grated ginger1 tbsp tbsp
• tomatoes↗4 large

  roughly chopped

• green cardamom pods↗4

  seeds crushed

• ground turmeric↗1 tsp tsp
• mild curry powder↗2 tsp tsp
• ground cumin↗1 tsp tsp
• green bananas or 2 plantains↗5 medium

  (about 400-500g)

• full-fat coconut milk↗400ml ml
• vegetable stock↗300ml ml

  (vegan, if needed)

• chickpeas↗400g can g

  drained

• lime↗1

  zested and juiced

• coriandersmall handful of

  roughly chopped

• green or red finger chillies

  sliced

• cooked basmati rice↗

  or crusty bread, to serve

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and cook the onions with a pinch of salt for about 8 mins, or until softened.

2. 2

   Stir in the garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cardamom and ground spices, and cook for 2 mins more. Add 125ml water and cook for another 2 mins until everything has softened.

3. 3

   Peel the bananas and chop into 3-4cm chunks. Spoon 4 tbsp of the coconut milk into a small bowl and set aside, then stir the rest into the pan along with half of the vegetable stock, the bananas and chickpeas. Season with salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 mins. Remove the lid and cook for another 10-15 mins, or until the bananas are softened, adding a splash more if needed.

4. 4

   Stir in the lime zest and juice, then drizzle over the reserved coconut milk and scatter over the coriander and chillies. Serve with basmati rice or crusty bread.