How to Make Authentic African Irio at Home

African Irio is a traditional Kenyan dish made from mashed vegetables, usually a combination of green peas, corn, and potatoes.  It is a highly nutritious meal packed with a lot flavors. There are variations to this meal, however, this is a basic recipe to make African Irio:

Ingredients:

2 cups of fresh green peas (you can also use frozen peas)

2 cups of corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and diced

1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Water for boiling

Instructions:

In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the diced potatoes. Cook them until they are tender but not mushy, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set them aside.

In the same pot, add the green peas and corn kernels. Cook them until they are tender, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes for frozen peas and corn. If using fresh peas, it may take a bit longer. Drain the cooked peas and corn and set them aside.

In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté them until they become translucent and fragrant. Add the cooked potatoes, peas, and corn to the pan with the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir everything together and cook for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash the mixture. You can leave it slightly chunky if you prefer some texture.

Season the Irio with salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your preference. Serve the African Irio hot as a side dish with your favorite meat or stew. Irio is usually served with grilled Steak in Kenya.

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