Recipe: Githeri Githeri is a one pot traditional Kikuyu dish that is made from beans and white maize (corn). It is a delicious, easy to prepare, protein rich dish which can be enjoyed on its own, with Ugali or Kenyan Chapati. A Bit About Githeri Pronounced as guh theory, Githeri is a typical Kikuyu dish. Both the beans and maize used can be fresh or dry. Nowadays some add curry powder, garlic and other spices. Traditionally, both are boiled in water till well done and the water has evaporated. Add salt and oil or fat just before serving. Here, my reference to the maize is the white variety and not sweet corn. Originally from Central Kenya, it is now a popular dish all over Kenya.…
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Continue ReadingRecipe : Irio, Kenyan Style Irio, Kenyan Style is an easy to make, delicious, Kenyan staple side dish. Pronounced as eee-ree-yo, it is usually made with some potatoes, peas and fresh greens. No fancy ingredients are required for this version of mash. It is usually served with stew, grilled meat or fish. As for me, I love to have it on its own or with some curry like the Green Moong one. A Bit About Kenyan Cuisine Though Kenya falls in the Savannah region, many parts of the country grow a rich variety of fruits and vegetables that provide the people of the area with their basic requirements of carbohydrates, proteins and minerals. Colonization by the Portuguese and then the British Empire and the…
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Continue ReadingRecipe: Kenyan Chapati Kenyan Chapati is a soft, flaky, chewy flatbread that is a staple part of celebratory meals in Kenya and other East African Countries. Popularly known as “chapo” in Kenya, it is usually enjoyed with curries as a main meal, with tea or eggs for breakfast. Kenyan Chapati is not the same as the Indian chapati. Indian chapati is also known as roti in many parts of India. Kenyan Chapati is more like the flaky parathas. Some Vital Tips To Make Soft Flaky Kenyan Chapati Don’t reduce the amount of oil/ghee/fat required. The correct amount of fat is what makes them flaky. Kenyan Chapati are mostly made from plain/all purpose flour and not the wheat flour we use for Indian roti or…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: HOMEMADE RESTAURANT STYLE FOOD RECIPE: KENYAN STYLE MASALA CHIPS Kenyan Style Masala Chips also known as chips masala, is a popular dish on most restaurant menus in Kenya. Easy to make, spicy and tasty. It is a must to try out these chips when in Kenya. Here, chips is what the North Americans call French Fries. Being a former British Colony, chips is the word used for french fries and the North American Chips is what we call crisps. How did this popular dish come about? No idea but all I know that the love for Masala Chips started from Exotica Restaurant in Nairobi. At that time the restaurant was very small, so majority of the people ordered food from…
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Continue ReadingMahamri, breakfast from the Kenyan Coastal Region Basically, mahamri is like a doughnut but it is flavoured with coconut and cardamom powder. Doughnuts are ring shaped and more sweet but Mahamri is usually triangular in shape or sometimes round. Generally mahamri is enjoyed as a breakfast item on its own with tea or coffee or with mbaazi (pronounced as mmmbaaazi). Mbaazi is soaked pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk. Though Mahamri is popular as a breakfast option, it is also served along with stews and curries as part of a main meal. We sometimes love to have mahamri with eggs in the morning. Feel a bit hungry, reach out for a mahamri as a snack. There is not enough evidence or proof as to how mahamari, mamri…
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Continue ReadingWhat is Ugali? Ugali is like a porridge but much more dense made from white maize meal or maize flour. It is the staple diet of the indigenous people of East Africa. Also known as Nsima it is generally enjoyed with a vegetable and/or meat stew. People at the coast and around Lake Victoria enjoy it with fish. Ugali is also served with nyama choma which is grilled meat and kachumbari, a tomato onion salad. One of the most easiest dish to prepare, it is not only rich in fiber but also is a good source of carbohydrates, minerals and Vitamin B. And it is gluten free and vegan friendly. This post was first published on 25/10/2012 , renewed on 02/06/2021 Ugali Eating Etiquette Generally…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: FROZEN TREATS RECIPE: PASSION FRUIT & TREE TOMATO ICE CREAM This Passion Fruit & Tree Tomato Ice Cream has been inspired from the regular fresh juices that one generally finds on restaurant menus in Kenya. In fact, I love passion fruit and tree tomato juice as it is so refreshing, aromatic and delicious. So, as expected this ice cream turned out just that, refreshing, aromatic and super delicious. Brief History of Ice Cream According to history an ice cream like produce was invented in China around 200BC. In fact, Milk and rice mixture was frozen by packing it in snow. Some say it was invented in Persia. It is believed that the Roman Emperor Nero had slaves collect ice…
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Continue ReadingRecipe: Kachri Bateta/ Babu Kachri Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu is a tangy, lip smacking spicy potato stew served with a dry coconut mango chutney and topped with ganthia and crushed potato crisps or chips. first publish on 20/05/2012, updated & republished on 14/03/2021 What is Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu? Kachri Bateta, also known as Kachri Babu is a famous street food from Mombasa. In fact, it’s believed that this dish is influenced both by the Swahili and Indian Cuisine. Probably, the potato stew is of Indian origin but addition of grated or minced raw mango to the stew is from the Swahili cuisine. Specifically, the topping of ganthia or thick sev and potato crisps is Indian. The chutney is very coastal. Before we go into…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #224 DUE SOUTH WHAT IS MAHARAGE YA NAZI/ KIDNEY BEANS IN COCONUT SAUCE Maharage ya nazi/ kidney beans in coconut milk is a popular Swahili dish which is made from kidney beans, simple spices, tomatoes and coconut milk. In the Kiswahili language maharage/maharagwe is kidney beans and nazi is coconut. Its may pleasure to introduce to you the Swahili dish Maharage Ya Nazi or Kidney Beans in Coconut Milk. Well, read on and you’ll find out why that was cooked in my kitchen today. Group Theme For this week the FoodieMonday/Bloghop Group theme was suggested by Kalyani who blogs at Sizzling Tastebuds. The theme was Due South. In other words, Kalyani wanted us to cook a dish from any of the…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: GUEST POST FOR SIZZLING TASTEBUDS Whenever I’m approached to do a guest post, I get really excited as it gives me the opportunity to share a bit of me with the blogger and I get to know the blogger, different cuisine and different ideas too. So when Kalyani, asked if I would be a guest on her blog, I obliged willingly. Kalyani has a wide selection of Vegetarian recipes be it healthy, vegan, for toddlers or some treats too.Check out a healthy chaat using moong .I’m waiting to get some fresh crunchy purple cabbage to try out her Bolivian Purple Cabbage Salad. Do you want to try a healthy dessert? Then check out the Vegan Chilli Chocolate Mousse.Its quite easy to maneuver through her…
