Chicken Stew (Maraq Digaag) Poulet Mijoté

Chicken Stew

This is a simple chicken stew that goes well with the Somali Chapati (Sabaayad), the Potato & Cumin Rice (Pilau), or Maanda (Muufo). It’s a typical Somali stew flavoured with Xawaash (Somali spice mix).

Growing up in Somalia, the chicken we had there were all free range. The meat was tougher and required a much longer time to cook, but it was a lot more flavourful. In Somalia, chicken meat was considered a delicacy. It was not readily available and it was also not affordable to many.

We remember watching a TV program about a group of young men who wanted to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Europe. The reporter asked one of them what his motivation was in making that risky journey. The young man replied that he wanted to eat a chicken. Of course we understood that he meant that he was seeking a better life, but at that moment, a chicken symbolized prosperity for him.

Today, poultry farming has changed that. In the diaspora, most Somalis would not cook a chicken dish for an honoured guest. This is probably due to the fact that chicken is abundant and cheap.

 

Ce poulet mijoté tout simple s’accompagne de Chapati Somali (Sabaayad), de Pommes de Terre et Riz au Cumin, ou de Maanda (Muufo). C’est un ragoût Somali typique parfumé au Xawaash (mélange d’épices Somali).

Pendant notre enfance en Somalie, les poulets étaient tous élevés en plein air. Leur chair était plus coriace et devait être cuite plus longtemps, mais elle avait aussi beaucoup plus de goût. En Somalie, la viande de poulet était considérée comme un mets raffiné. Elle n’était pas facile à trouver et peu de gens pouvaient s’en acheter.

Nous nous rappelons avoir regardé une émission de télé sur un groupe de jeunes hommes qui voulaient traverser la Mer Méditerranée de l’Afrique vers l’Europe. Le journaliste demandait à l’un d’eux quelle était sa motivation pour entreprendre ce voyage dangereux. Le jeune homme répondit qu’il voulait manger du poulet. Bien sûr, nous avons compris qu’il voulait dire qu’il cherchait une vie meilleure, mais à ce moment là, un poulet symbolisait la prospérité pour lui.

Aujourd’hui l’élevage intensif de volaille a changé tout ça. Dans la diaspora, la plupart des Somalis ne cuisineraient pas un poulet s’ils avaient un invité important. C’est probablement dû au fait que le poulet est abondant et bon marché.

 

Ingredients: 

Serves 6

1 – 4.5lb (2 kg)           Chicken (skinned & cut into small pieces)
3                              Tomatoes
½                             Onion
½                             Green pepper
1                              Jalapeno (seeded)
4                              Garlic cloves
1                              Potato
1                              Carrot                   

3 Tbsp                       Vegetable or canola oil
1 Tbsp                       Xawaash

2 tsp                         Tomato paste
1 cup                         Fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp                       Vegetable seasoning
1 cup                         Water
2 Tbsp                       Ghee (optional)


Waxa loo baahanyahay:   

(Q.W. waa qaaddo weyn – midda cunnada lagu cuno) (q.y. waa qaaddo yar)

1 – 4.5 lb (2 kg)         Digaag (maqaarka laga saaray oo yaryar loo jarjaray)
3                             Yaanyo
½                            Basal
½                            Barbarooni
1                             Basbaas (oo miraha laga bixiyey)
4                             Tuun (toon)
1                             Bataato (baradho)
1                             Karooto
3 Q.W.                     Saliid cad
1 Q.W.                     Xawaash
2 q.y.                      Yaanyo shiishiid
1 koob                     Kabsaro caleen (la-jarjaray)
1 Q.W.                     Maraq dajaaj
1 koob                     Biyo
2 Q.W.                    Subag (waa ka-dhaafi kartaa)

Ku-filan 6 qofood

Sida loo kariyay waxaa ka-fiirsataa ‘video’ga.

 

Ingrédients:

Pour 6 personnes

1 – 4.5 livres (2 kg) de Poulet (sans la peau & et coupé en petits morceaux)
3 Tomates
½ Oignon
½ Poivron Vert
1 Piment (épépiné)
4 Gousses d’Ail
1 Pomme de Terre
1 Carotte
3 cs d’Huile Végétale ou d’Huile de Colza
1 cs de Xawaash
2 cs de Concentré de Tomate
1 mesure de Coriandre Frais
1 cs d’assaisonnement pour légumes (ex: bouillon cube)
1 mesure d’Eau
2 cs de ghee (beurre clarifié) (optionnel)

 

Directions:

Roughly chop the tomatoes, cilantro, green pepper, and onion, then blend.

Dice the potato and carrot.

Add the oil to a pot set on medium heat and add the xawaash. Immediately after, add the chicken pieces. You don’t want the spices to burn. Brown the chicken for about 2 minutes then add the vegetable seasoning.

Add the diced potatoes and carrots to the pot, then add the blended veggies. Add the tomatoes and the water, then cover and cook for 30 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of ghee or clarified butter (optional).

 

Instructions:

Découper grossièrement les tomates, le coriandre, le poivron vert, et l’oignon, puis mixer.

Couper la pomme de terre et la carotte en dés.

Verser l’huile dans un faitout chauffé à feu moyen et ajouter le Xawaash. Immédiatement après, ajouter les morceaux de poulet. Faites attention à ne pas laisser brûler les épices. Faire colorer le poulet pendant 2 minutes puis ajouter l’assaisonnement pour légumes.

Ajouter les dés de pommes de terre et de carotte dans le faitout, puis ajouter les légumes mixés. Ajouter le concentré de tomate et l’eau, puis couvrir et cuire pendant 30 minutes.

Ajouter 2 cuillères à soupe de ghee ou beurre clarifié (optionnel).

Steps for preparing the chicken - Étapes pour préparer le poulet

1. Ajouter le xawaash à l’huile sans le laisser brûler
2. Ajouter le poulet et le faire colorer
3. Ajouter l’assaisonnement à légumes
4. Ajouter la pomme de terre et la carotte
5. Ajouter les légumes en purée
6. Ajouter le concentré de tomates
7. Ajouter l’eau chaude
8. Couvrir et cuire à feu moyen pendant 30 minutes

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34 Responses to Chicken Stew (Maraq Digaag) Poulet Mijoté
  1. khadija
    February 11, 2012 | 3:08 pm

    Asalamucalykum. marka hore waan idin salamay. waxa aan aad iyo aad u jeclaystay web sidkin quruxda iyo qimaha badan iyo cuntoyinka macan ee aad iyo dad ku uxisaha galinaya ila iyo intii aanhelay web saydhkina aad ayan uxiseya oo aan marksstba aan u sameeya wixii aan idinka bartay.Famaligayguna aad ayay u jeclaysteen cuntoyinka aan idinka bartay waanaan idiin ducayna waxa kale oo aan ka helay organayska welka quruxda badan ee aad sticmaasho iyo sida quruxda badan ee aad xawashka u soo bandhigteen wanaan idunku hambalyanaya shaqada wacan ee aad qabateen ilhayn hortina khayr ha dhigo kh from Toronto very amazing , thank you

    • A&L
      February 12, 2012 | 11:30 pm

      Wacalaykum assalaam walaal Khadija. Aad iyo aad ayaad ugu mahadsantahay faallada fiican aad naga bixisay. Ilaahey kheyr iyo xasanaad ha ku-siiyo adiga iyo reerkaadaba.

  2. Naima
    February 11, 2012 | 6:00 pm

    I made this with chappati for lunch yesterday, It was so yummy…Thanks again for posting all these delicious recipes for free.

    • A&L
      February 12, 2012 | 11:31 pm

      We’re happy you liked it!

  3. farhiyo
    February 20, 2012 | 1:22 pm

    asalamacaleykum walalayaal marka hore aad iyo aad ayan ogahelay cunada macaan adkana u quruxda badan e ad meesha nosoo galisen waana idinka mahad ceelinaa ilahey ajir ha idinka siiyo, walal waxaan idinka codsanaa video ga galamuduuga o dhamees tiran in ad nosoo galisan plz ilahey qeyr badan ha idin siiyo

    • A&L
      February 20, 2012 | 10:56 pm

      Insha-Allaah waan soo gelin doonnaa. Waxaa kaa codsanaynaa inaad xoogaa na sugtid. Cuntooyin fara badan ayaa soo gelin doonnaa. Mahadsanid.

  4. Aaliyah
    February 26, 2012 | 2:34 pm

    ASC I love your recipes. I’ve made this for my husband with Chapati and he loved it. Your chapati is also very tasty. I wrote almost every main dish recepies as I want to try them all. I just love your cooking techniques.

    • A&L
      March 10, 2012 | 12:29 am

      Thank you very much, Aaliyah. We were delighted to get your feedback and we are happy that it was well received!

  5. Huda
    March 8, 2012 | 11:48 am

    Asalamu Alaikum,

    I made this dish yesterday and it tasted amazing alxamdulilah and got good reviews from the hubby, will definitely be making this again insha allah. I am a regular browser of your site and always look forward to seeing new recipes, there are so many I have yet to try. It would be lovely to see more bariis recipes and also deserts. Keep up the excellent work!

    • A&L
      March 10, 2012 | 12:06 am

      Wacalaykum Assalaam Waraxmatullaahi Wabarakaatuhu,
      We are very happy you enjoyed it. We will be posting many more recipes, God willing. We hope they will get your seal of approval!

  6. UMASMAA,
    March 19, 2012 | 11:10 pm

    Aslaamu caleekum walaalayaal wabsedkiina aadoo iifarxadgiliyaa laino hawaayadeyda tabiikh waaye walaalayaal dadaalka siiwada jazaakallaahu qeeyrakum

    • A&L
      March 22, 2012 | 1:45 pm

      Wacalaykum Assalaam Waraxmatullaahi Wabarakaatuhu,
      Insha-Allah adigana waxyaabo ayaa na bari doontaa maaddaama aad jeceshahay cunna kariska. :)

  7. Liban
    May 20, 2012 | 12:57 pm

    Salam Alaikum

    i wanted to know how many pounds of chicken do you need for this dish?
    and what parts of the chicken do you need to use? and also do you skin it?

    thanks

    • A&L
      May 20, 2012 | 1:27 pm

      Wa-Alaikum Assalam,
      We used a 4.5 pound (2 kg) chicken that was skinned and cut into small pieces. We used the whole chicken.
      We updated the ingredients on the post.

  8. sudi
    June 9, 2012 | 2:12 am

    it shows that you are so home sick. we all are may Allah give Somalia peace.

    • A&L
      June 9, 2012 | 4:02 pm

      Amen. Thank you.

  9. eryep
    July 7, 2012 | 10:22 pm

    Hi, thanks for posting recipes on your blog. I’m excited to try some of the recipes!

    Do you mind telling me what vegetable seasoning is? I’ve seen it a few times in your recipes. I suspect it’s like vegetable bullion?

    • A&L
      July 7, 2012 | 11:36 pm

      Vegetable seasoning refers to a seasoning salt mix. We use Vegeta Seasoning Mix. It is similar to vegetable bouillon cubes (such as Knorr or Maggi).
      Thank you for your comment.

      1 Tbsp Vegeta = 2 Maggi or Knorr cubes. It is also equivalent to 2 tsp salt.

  10. isse
    October 19, 2012 | 10:45 am

    I cooked this today what a delicious and easy to follow recipe. you deserve an award guys. thanks

    • misky
      October 19, 2012 | 2:07 pm

      jazakallaah walal waaa web aad u fiican lagana fa iideysan karo thanks again

      • A&L
        October 19, 2012 | 9:45 pm

        Mahadsanid.

    • A&L
      October 19, 2012 | 8:00 pm

      Thank you so much for the award. :) Your kind words are the best award.

  11. Rahma
    November 20, 2012 | 8:12 pm

    Should I boil my chicken first or put in the pot as normal and it will cook well? Thank you

    • A&L
      November 21, 2012 | 12:00 am

      There is no need to boil the chicken, it has enough time to cook well.

  12. Ayax
    December 3, 2012 | 5:50 am

    Asc walaalayaal aad baad ugu mahadsantihii sidaqiimaha badan eed usoo dhigteen hawshaan webka iyo shaqqalihiisa nolol wanaagsan ayaan urajaynayaa aniga iskabulan ahay lkn insha allah markan guursado xaaskayga waan kala dardaarmayaa webka

    • A&L
      December 4, 2012 | 7:25 pm

      Wacalaykum Assalaam Waraxmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.
      Adigaa mahadda mudan. Waxaan rajaynaynaa adigana inaad wax ka-baratid. Mahadsanid.

  13. naima
    May 9, 2013 | 11:15 pm

    After long day at work i was confused on what to cook yhen i came to your page and made thid maraq with chicken breast and chapati with basbaas lol i just done eating it and alhamdulilah my stomach is making duca for you now. shukran :)

    • A&L
      May 10, 2013 | 6:32 pm

      We are happy to know that you have enjoyed the dishes. Thank you very much for the nice comment.

  14. Fadumo
    October 26, 2013 | 5:32 pm

    I loved this dish so much. Thanks for posting.

    • A&L
      October 27, 2013 | 10:58 am

      You are most welcome.

  15. Muna
    May 20, 2014 | 12:25 pm

    Masha allah wabesite kiina maan aqoon awal lkn hadda ayaan bartay waxan rajaynayaa inan wax ka baran doono wad mahadsantihiin walalayal.Jaza’akallahu khyr.

    • A&L
      May 20, 2014 | 9:51 pm

      Kusoo dhowoow Xawaash.com. Waa ku mahadsan tahay faallada wacan walaal.

  16. Muna
    May 20, 2014 | 12:28 pm

    shaqo loobaahnaa oo qiimo leh ayaad baraysaan hablaha somaliyeed iyo Hooyooyinkaba thanks again.

    • A&L
      May 20, 2014 | 9:52 pm

      Aad iyo aad ayaa u mahadsan tahay walaal.

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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.