Papaya (Babbaay) Papaye

Papaya (Babbaay) Papaye

  Some people eat a papaya because of its health benefits: for aiding digestion, for balancing stomach acid, for helping prevent colon cancer, and for being a good laxative. We love eating papayas because they are delicious. If anything can embody the tropics, it is [Click for Full Recipe]

Bajiya (Bajiyo)

Bajiya (Bajiyo)

  Ahh! Bajiya! We just love them. How can you not? Eat them fresh and you will become addicted. Bajiyas, are a regular fixture on iftar tables (breaking the fast in Ramadan), they are part of the Asariyo Quartet (one of the four essential elements [Click for Full Recipe]

Somali Champagne -Simulated Camel Milk (Caano Geel) Champagne Somali

Somali Champagne -Simulated Camel Milk (Caano Geel) Champagne Somali

  The Horn of Africa boasts the largest number of camels in the world.  Camels have been domesticated in Somalia for more than 2000 years.  In an article in Aramco World, the Somali camel has been described as follows: “The Somali camels seem by far [Click for Full Recipe]

Somali Rice Topping – Garniture de Riz Somali

Somali Rice Topping – Garniture de Riz Somali

  Somali rice with toppings evokes old memories of family gatherings, and festive occasions.  It reminds me particularly of ziyaras (rememberences) where large numbers of women gather to cook rice and meat in huge pots set on open fires. I remember my grandparents’ house in [Click for Full Recipe]

Bottle Gourd Spaghetti (Bocor Macaan) Spaghetti de Courge Bouteille (Ntaambi ya Mabboori)

Bottle Gourd Spaghetti (Bocor Macaan) Spaghetti de Courge Bouteille (Ntaambi ya Mabboori)

The following recipe is for sweet bottle gourd known in Brava as Ntaambi ya Maboori.  The word Ntaambi means Vermicelli, and Ntaambi ya Mabboori is Vermicelli made of Bottle Gourd. During Ramadan (the month of fasting), this dessert is served after dinner in the majority of households. The bottle gourd must [Click for Full Recipe]

Yeasted Cake (Doolshe Qamiir) Gâteau Levé

Yeasted Cake (Doolshe Qamiir) Gâteau Levé

The Bravanese call this cake Mkate wa Khamiiri. They also know it as Ja, Teka (Eat & Smile).  Yes, it will bring a smile to your face but it will also test your patience.  In my opinion, this cake benefits from being cooled completely and let to [Click for Full Recipe]

Rice Cake (Macsharo) Gâteau de Riz (Mkate wa Maashara)

Rice Cake (Macsharo) Gâteau de Riz (Mkate wa Maashara)

This is the Bravanese (Brava, Somalia) take on the honeycomb rice cake that has different versions that are made all over Asia. It is sweet, soft and springy. The yeast gives it a spongy texture that lends it the ability to soak sauces. The name comes [Click for Full Recipe]

Bravanese Bread (Muufo Baraawe) Pain Bravanais (Maanda)

Bravanese Bread (Muufo Baraawe) Pain Bravanais (Maanda)

Maanda (Muufo Baraawe in Somali) is the traditional bread of the Bravanese (Brava, Somalia).  The story of Maanda is the story of the daily life of the Bravanese.  In Brava, Maanda is made from white, dehydrated corn kernels, and making it in the traditional way [Click for Full Recipe]