Category Archives: Recipes/Soo’yo/وصفات/Recettes

Vegetable Stew (Maraq Qudaar) Légumes Mijotés مرق الخضار

Vegetable Stew (Maraq Qudaar) مرق الخضار

English Af-Somaali Français We mentioned in previous posts how Somalis, in general, liked to eat red meat. From sea to shining sea (the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean), Somalis prefer to have meat included in their main meal of the day. That, however, was not always realized. In many places, the main meal was…

Meso (Meeso) Meso مَيْسُوا

Meso (Meeso) مَيْسُوا

English Af-Somaali Français Brava, Somalia, is known for its culinary tradition which includes its renowned sweets. One example is Pera which is known, in other parts of Somalia, as Caano Baraawe (Bravanese milk). We hope to post a recipe for it in the near future. Meso is not as well known as Pera, but it…

Balbalow & Zibatera (Baalbaaloow) Balbalow & Zibatera بسكويت مقلي

Balbalow & Zibatera (Baalbaaloow) بسكويت مقلي

English Af-Somaali Français Balbalow (baalbaaloow) is a sweet treat that is popular in Somalia. It is shaped like a butterfly (balanbaalis) and it is as sweet as the butterfly is beautiful. Good balbalow should be light, crunchy but not hard, and have a nice, crumbly texture. The small bubbles on the surface of the balbalow…

Bread Rolls (Rooti Jilicsan) Petits Pains خبز رولز

Bread Rolls (Rooti Jilicsan) خبز رولز

  There are many reasons for baking your own bread. It tastes much better than store bought bread, has no preservatives, and the smell of freshly baked bread is priceless. You have full control of what goes into your bread: the amount of salt, sugar (if any), type of flour, etc…  In Somalia, bread was…

Chicken Lollipop (Garbo Digaag La-Shiilay) Ailes de Poulet en Sucette عيدان اجنحة الدجاج

Chicken Lollipop (Garbo Digaag La-Shiilay) عيدان اجنحة الدجاج

  We know how kids love finger foods, especially out of the ordinary foods like chicken lollipops. We also know that most kids do not like eating vegetables. Our solution is to use the carrot and stick approach. Never mind those studies that tell you it is the wrong approach, because ours is a totally…

Orange Juice Cake (Doolshe Casiir Leh) Gâteau au Jus d’Orange كيك بعصير البرتقال

Orange Juice Cake (Doolshe Casiir Leh) كيك بعصير البرتقال

  We had to bake this cake three times for this post. It wasn’t because it did not come out right the first time. When we first baked it last Friday, we could not resist and we had it with tea while still warm and without the glaze. We then baked it on Saturday, poured…

2 Somali Hot Sauces (2 Nooc Basbaas) 2 Sauces Piquantes Somali البسباس الصومالي

2 Somali Hot Sauces (2 Nooc Basbaas) البسباس الصومالي

  Somali food is not spicy hot. It is unlike the cuisines of neighbouring countries that use a lot of hot spices. Somalis prefer to serve the hot sauce on the side just like the salt and pepper which everyone can adjust to his/her taste. One thing you do not have to worry about when…

Somali Plantain Stew (Maraq Moos Bukiini) Ragoût de Plantains à la Somali مرقة بموز الجنة

Somali Plantain Stew (Maraq Moos Bukini)  مرقة بموز الجنة

  If you have never had a plantain, it tastes pretty much like a potato when a raw or semi-ripe plantain is cooked. We prepared this stew for some guests and they all thought they were eating potatoes.  Plantains are a staple food in southern Somalia and are added to both savoury and sweet dishes….

Eye of Round Roast (Hilib Aroosto) Rôti de Rond de Gîte روستو العجل

Eye of Round Roast (Hilib Aroosto) روستو العجل

The eye of round roast is a very lean cut and can be quite tough if not cooked properly. There are different ways of cooking it but our favourite method is to cook it slowly in a flavourful broth. The meat releases its juices, making the broth even more flavourful. Even though the cooked meat…

Coconut Shrimp (Qooqane Qumbe Leh) Crevettes Coco جمبري بجوز الهند

Coconut Shrimp (Qooqane Qumbe Leh) جمبري بجوز الهند

  We never had shrimp in Somalia. We also never ate lobster there, or any other type of shellfish for that matter. Somalis did not consider those creatures worthy eating. Whenever fisherman found them in their nets, they tossed them back to the sea. Somalia has the longest coastline in mainland Africa and has an…

About (Annaga)
Qui Sommes Nous نبذة عنا

We are a husband and wife team and we live in Canada. In a world full of food complications, we make cooking very simple. Our recipe videos will make your cooking easy, relaxed and enjoyable. We bring you the foods we love from Somalia and from around the world.