Simple Samp - Canned Goodness

It has been close to a year since my last post, so I will make this one count. I do intend to post more, but my unemployment has transitioned to underemployment thus rendering me mostly uninspired. Mostly.

On this cold November day, I feel it fitting to write about the most unique dish on my repertoire: Samp. My mom, coming from South Africa, was exposed to a wide variety of foods. I believe this is of the African origin. However, the way she makes it and the way I make it are a bit different. Mine ends up tasting like an Indian-style chili and hers, more of an Indian bean explosion.

Samp is made out of Hominy. It comes in two sizes; I buy the giant can. You can find it at Grace's Foods on Bank Street in Ottawa and probably any grocery store in Toronto. If you don't live in either city, I will advise you to figure it out on your own.

This recipe involves a lot of cans. I'm not opposed to using canned goods. It's cheap, still healthy (preservatives are minimal) and way-less time-consuming then getting the raw beans and boiling them for hours. Screw that. I'm sick of canned-good snobbery. And I won't have it.

RECIPE:

1 can of Hominy (drained)
1 can of Black Beans (drained)
1 can Crushed Tomatoes*
1/2 Tomato Paste
1/2 Onion, diced
Vegetable oil
3 Cloves of Garlic
4 Bay Leaves
1 tsp Masala
2 tsp Chili Powder
Salt (to taste)
a pinch Parsley
a pinch Sage
a pinch Rosemary
a pinch Thyme

In a large pot heat oil with onions. When onions are soft-ish add garlic. Then add all the cans and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a bit so the flavours get all mixed together.

I like to eat it on its own, but since it's very similar to chili, you can have bread or naan on the side.

*You can use crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes or even tomato sauce, depending on what kind of texture you desire.


Et voila!