What 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: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: CHILDHOOD FAVORITES RECIPE: MUM’S BUITONI/ MASALA PASTA Mum’s Buitoni/ Masala Pasta is a pasta with an Indian twist. It has all the spices that would go into any typical daily curry. Mum’s Buitoni/ Masala Pasta is not only tasty but also never fails to bring back fond memories of my childhood and my mum. This post was first published on 16/05/2012. Redoing the post with fresh write up and photos. The recipe remains the same. My Mum and Pasta My mum didn’t know how to make pasta at all. She probably had never heard of pasta, spaghetti, etc when she was growing up in the village of Koyali near Vadodara, India. But how she managed to make this pasta dish for…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: CHIPS RECIPE: KACHRI BATETA/ BABU KACHRI 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…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: BREAKFAST FOR SUPPER RECIPE: ZEGE/CHIPSI MAYAI What is Zege/Chipsi Mayai? Zege/Chipsi Mayai is an unusual omelette which is not only tasty but its a meal on its own. Zege/ Chips Mayai is a famous Tanzanian Street Food. Mayai in Kiswahili is egg and chipsi is chips or French Fries. Chopped onions, tomatoes, green pepper and coriander (cilantro) are added to the omelette mixture. Fried chips or French Fries are layered in the frying pan and the omelette mixture is added on top. The omelette is cooked till done and served with a local salad called Kachumbari. The word Zege means Cement in Kiswahili. To make a ‘solid’ meal, cooked minced meat is also added. Served as a breakfast or any time…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: ONE POT WONDERS RECIPE: MUJADDARA – LENTIL & RICE PILAF What is Mujaddara? Mujaddara is an inexpensive, gluten free, vegan, healthy, flavorful and filling main dish. The main flavour of this rice dish comes from the caramelized onions. It is usually served with a salad and some yogurt, hummus or tahini sauce. Mujaddara is a lentil and rice preparation or dish that is usually enjoyed as a main meal. Mujaddara in Arabic means “pockmarked” as the pilaf resembles pockmarks. Without meat, it’s considered as a poor man’s meal. Meat was added to the pilaf only during celebrations. Mujaddara is a popular dish all over the Middle East. However, there are variations depending on the area or region. The variations can range…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #42 RECIPE: YOGURT POTATO CURRY Yogurt Potato Curry or Yogurt Cashew Nut Potato Curry First posted on 05/05/2015 Yogurt Potato Curry or Yogurt Cashew Nut Potato Curry is a creamy, delicious, slightly spicy curry. Enjoy it with any Indian Flatbread or rice. Easy to make, this curry generally features on my table when I have guests over. It is relished both by adults and kids. Memories about Yogurt Potato Curry Yogurt Potato Curry or Dahi waru bateta nu shaak was a regular on our dining table. With more than 15 of us in the household, my mum always knew that a potato sabji, shaak or side dish would take care of everyone. Usually, one sabji or shaak was made…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: HOT POT SPECIAL RECIPE: VEGETARIAN MOUSSAKA Vegetarian Moussaka Vegetarian Moussaka is a flavorful, creamy and delish version of the original meat moussaka. Herb flavored lentil tomato sauce is spread between layers of vegetables, topped with Béchamel Sauce and baked. What is a Moussaka? A Moussaka is a layered casserole dish with minced meat in between layers of vegetables, usually eggplants and potatoes. Mention Moussaka and its generally associated with Greece. But did you know that the dish originates from the Balkan and Middle East. The best known version world wide is the Greek version. Before 1900 Moussaka was simply layers of vegetables and minced meat. Nikolaos Tselementes, a Greek Chef trained in France introduced Béchamel Sauce based Moussaka which…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #277 ONE POT WONDER RECIPE: VANGI BATH/EGGPLANT RICE What is Vangi Bath/Eggplant Rice? Vangi Bath/Eggplant Rice is a tasty, filling and easy to make rice dish which is very popular in both the cuisines of Karnataka and Maharashtra. The difference comes from the spice mixture added to the rice dish. Vangi is the Kannada and Maharashtrian word for Eggplant (aubergine or brinjal) and bath is rice. There are many variations of recipes, some add cooked rice to the stir fried eggplant, while some cook is together. I prefer to make it as a one pot meal, adding raw rice to the stir fried eggplants and allowing both to cook together. Vangi Bath/Eggplant Rice – Maharashtrian Style Making Vangi Rice has…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #273 MY FAMILY FAV RECIPE: SABUT MOONG DAL/ GREEN MOONG CURRY What is Sabut Moong Dal/ Green Moong Curry? In brief, Sabut means whole and Moong is known as Green Grams in English. Clearly, every Indian household world over has its own version of Sabut Moong Dal. In fact, its one of the most popular dals or curries that is enjoyed with some rice, roti or paratha.Surprisingly, Sabut Moong Dal has not been featured on my blog as yet. Interestingly, though I cook it at least once a week, I’ve not jotted the recipe down till now. However, as they say, there is a time and place for everything. Perhaps, this recipe was meant for this week’s FoodieMonday theme. But, I’m not…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #270 CAULIFLOWER STORIES RECIPE: GOBI MUSALLAM What is Gobi Musallam? Gobi Musallam is a vegetarian version of the famous Chicken Musallam from the Mughal Cuisine. Musallam means whole. Just as a whole chicken is cooked, so is Gobi Musallam. Gobi or Gobhi is the Hindi word for Cauliflower. The chicken is stuffed with eggs and cooked dry or with gravy. Gobi Musallam is a totally vegetarian version and therefore no eggs are used. A creamy sauce is added to make it more appealing. Sauces and Marinades for Gobi Musallam After trimming the leaves off, whole cauliflower or gobi is boiled till its about 60% cooked. The rest of the cooking is completed in the oven. Let me warn you this dish…
