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Moukhbaza (Kassala mashed banana)
Moukhbaza: ripe bananas mashed and cooked down with sugar, the eastern Sudan favourite with kisra or gurasa
Kassala, in the green orchard country of eastern Sudan near the Eritrean border, grows bananas in abundance, and its signature dish uses them very simply: very ripe bananas mashed with a little sugar and cooked briefly until thick and jammy. Moukhbaza is eaten as a snack or light breakfast, torn kisra or soft gurasa pancakes dragged through it, and children adore it. It tastes like warm banana bread without the oven. Under-ripe fruit is the usual mistake; you want bananas with heavily speckled, almost black skins, or the mash is starchy and bland. Chef's tip: a squeeze of lime at the end keeps the colour bright and balances the sweetness.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 6 very ripe bananaspeeled
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp sugarmore or less to taste
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Mash the 6 very ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps.
Step 2: Heat the 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over a medium heat, add the banana and 2 tbsp sugar and cook, stirring all the time, for 6–8 minutes until it thickens, darkens slightly and comes away from the pan.
8 minStep 3: Stir in the ¼ tsp ground cardamom and 1 tbsp lime juice and serve warm or at room temperature with kisra or gurasa.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 210 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 45 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does moukhbaza (Kassala mashed banana) take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of very ripe bananas?
- 120g (½ cup) apple sauce per banana (less banana flavour).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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