Lobio

Ingredients

• •2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight (or 3 cans, drained)
• •1 bay leaf
• •2 onions, finely diced
• •3 tbsp vegetable oil
• •4 cloves garlic
• •1 tbsp fresh coriander seeds (or ground coriander)
• •1 tsp fenugreek
• •1/2 tsp black pepper
• •1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• •1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• •1 tsp paprika, for color
• •Salt, to taste

Steps

1. 1.If using dried beans, drain the soaked beans and simmer them in fresh water with the bay leaf and a pinch of salt until tender, about 1-1.5 hours; reserve some of the cooking liquid.
2. 2.In a mortar, grind the garlic, coriander seeds, fenugreek, and black pepper with a pinch of salt into a rough paste.
3. 3.Sauté the diced onions in the oil until deep golden.
4. 4.Mash some of the cooked beans against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon to thicken the stew, leaving the rest whole - this partial mashing is what gives lobio its characteristic thick, hearty texture.
5. 5.Stir in the sautéed onions with their oil, the ground spice paste, the walnuts if using, and the paprika.
6. 6.Add reserved bean liquid a little at a time until the stew reaches a thick, stew-like consistency, then simmer for 10 more minutes to let the flavors meld.
7. 7.