Kenyan Maharagwe (Coconut Bean Stew)

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1. 1Step 1: Rinse the dried beans and soak them overnight or for 8 hours till plumped up in size.
2. 2Step 2: The next morning, drain the soaking liquid and add to a pressure cooker with 1 tsp salt.
3. 3Step 3: Cook on high pressure till steam escapes, then lower heat and cook for 8 minutes.
4. 4Step 4: Allow the pressure cooker to cool off before opening to check that the beans are tender.
5. 5Step 5: While the beans are cooking, chop the onion, garlic, and tomato. Or replace the tomatoes with canned tomatoes.
6. 6Step 6: Once the beans are cooked, prepare the Maharagwe.
7. 7Step 7: Heat the oil in a heavy-based skillet.
8. 8Step 8: Add the onion and saute along with the garlic. Saute for under 5 minutes, on a low heat, till softened but not browning.
9. 9Step 9: Add the first addition of spice powders: 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp chilli, and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder. Stir till the spices are fragrant.
10. 10Step 10: Add the chopped tomatoes or canned tomatoes and cook till the tomato is softened thoroughly. Mash through the tomatoes as they cook. Make sure there are no large chunks of tomato.
11. 11Step 11: Add the cooked beans along with the cooking liquid. Stir to incorporate and bring to a simmer.
12. 12Step 12: After doing a taste test, add the bay leaves and more of the spices: coriander, cumin, and also pepper and salt to taste.
13. 13Step 13: Add 200 ml Kara coconut cream and stir briskly to incorporate.
14. 14Step 14: Simmer on low for under 10 minutes till the sauce thickens considerably, stirring regularly so that the beans do not stick to the bottom.
15. 15Step 15: After the coconut milk is added, adjust all the spices to suit your taste. Cook slowly, to help the flavor spices and sauteed ingredients to be infused into the coconut cream sauce, balancing and taming the rich coconut flavor in the process.
16. 16Step 16: When you reach your desired thickness and consistency, garnish with some chopped fresh coriander leaves.
17. 17Step 17: You can drizzle in a bit of coconut cream, while serving.