Curried Samp and Beans with Lamb

Curried Samp and Beans with Lamb

I remember my mum cooking Curried Samp and Beans with Lamb quite often when I was still a young lady living at home. As with almost everything else my mum cooked, I gave her a hard time about this dish too. I was a very picky eater back then, and I certainly didn’t appreciate her cooking as much as I do today.

It’s funny how our tastes change as we get older. There are so many dishes I refused to eat when I was younger that I absolutely love now. This is definitely one of them.

As the years went by, I discovered just how delicious this dish really was. I don’t eat lamb anymore, but I still make it for my kids because it is one of those comforting family recipes that deserves to be passed down.

This dish is basically a delicious lamb curry with the addition of samp and beans. The curry is packed with warming spices, while the samp and beans make it hearty and filling. It is the kind of meal that feels like proper home cooking.

I don’t use a lot of canned food in my cooking, but I do think it is useful to keep a few pantry staples on hand. For this recipe, I used Woolworths canned Samp and Beans, which makes this recipe much quicker and easier.

You can, of course, cook your own samp and beans from scratch if you prefer. Using canned samp and beans simply means you can get this comforting meal on the table without having to plan quite so far ahead.

What is Samp?

If you’ve never heard of samp before, it is made from dried corn kernels that are stamped and chopped until they are broken into smaller pieces. It is a traditional South African food and is much coarser than mealie-meal or mealie-rice.

Samp has a lovely chewy texture and is incredibly filling, which is one of the reasons it works so well in hearty meals. When combined with beans, tender lamb and a richly spiced curry sauce, it becomes a complete and satisfying dish.

For me, samp and beans is also one of those foods that immediately feels nostalgic. It reminds me of home and the kind of comforting meals that were often cooked in large pots to feed the whole family.

Can I Use Other Meat?

Although I used a few pieces of lamb for this dish, you can absolutely use another meat if you prefer. Beef would also work well, especially if you enjoy a rich, slow-cooked curry.

You can even make this a completely vegetarian meal. For a vegetarian version, add a can of mixed vegetables or use fresh vegetables instead of the lamb. You can add vegetables such as carrots, peas, potatoes or whatever you have available.

If you are making the vegetarian version, I would reduce the amount of spices slightly and adjust them according to the vegetables you are using and how spicy you like your food.

Cooking the Lamb

The lamb does take a little while to cook because I really like it soft and tender. I think tender meat makes all the difference in a curry, especially when you are serving it with something as hearty as samp and beans.

Once the lamb is cooked until tender, the rest of the dish is fairly simple. The spices create the base of the curry, and the samp and beans are added to soak up all those wonderful flavours.

This isn’t a complicated dish, but like most curries, giving the spices enough time to cook properly is important. You want the finished curry to taste rich and well rounded rather than simply tasting of raw spices.

A Spicy, Comforting Curry

This is cooked the Indian way, so there is definitely some spice in the dish, but I wouldn’t describe it as overly spicy. Of course, everyone has a different tolerance for chilli, so feel free to adjust the heat to suit your family.

I remember my sisters coming over to my place a couple of years ago and I decided to make a huge pot of Samp and Beans with Lamb for everyone. I expected to have plenty left over because I really did make a huge pot.

There wasn’t a single portion remaining.

Everyone raved about it, and my niece was even looking for some the next morning, hoping she could have it for breakfast…haha! When someone is already asking about leftovers before breakfast, I think that says everything you need to know.

There is something so comforting about a big pot of samp and beans. It is hearty, full of flavour and incredibly satisfying. The tender lamb adds richness, while the samp and beans give the dish plenty of texture.

And for me, recipes like this are even more special because they remind me of my mum. I may have given her a hard time about eating this when I was younger, but I certainly appreciate the recipe now. Sometimes our mums really do know best. It just takes us a few decades to admit it!

You really have to try this dish to understand just how delicious it is. It is perfect for a family meal and makes a generous pot, so it is also a great option when you have a few extra mouths to feed.

If you do try this recipe, please drop me a comment and leave a star rating. It is always appreciated, and I love hearing how my recipes turn out in your kitchens.

More Lamb Recipes to Try

Lamb Biryani

Spicy Lamb Kebab Chutney

Simple Lamb Chops Chutney

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