We are a husband and wife team…  Both of us were born in beautiful Somalia.

We live in Canada, our adopted homeland.  We like travelling, photography and food.  We love food, but we don’t live to eat.  Nor do we eat to live.  We live in between.

We love to cook and entertain.  And we like to share.  We want to share with you our love for Somalia and our memories of growing up there.  Of peaceful and tranquil times.

Somali food is simple.  No elaborate sauces or flavour extremes.  It is not spicy hot nor is it bland.  Through this website, we will attempt to cover all regions of Somalia and we will also venture into neighbouring countries.  If there is anything we have learnt from our passion for food, it is about how the world is interconnected, and about our common humanity.

Today, Somalia is wounded.  We look forward to a Somalia where unity and diversity prevail, where differences are celebrated, where everyone enjoys full rights regardless of race, creed, and gender, and where no one is above the law.

A PROPOS

Nous sommes une équipe mari et femme…Nous sommes tous les deux nés dans la belle Somalie.

Nous habitons au Canada, notre pays d’adoption. Nous aimons voyager, la photographie et la cuisine. Nous adorons la nourriture, mais nous ne vivons pas pour manger. Ni ne mangeons que pour vivre. Nous vivons en équilibre entre les deux.

Nous aimons cuisiner et recevoir. Et nous aimons partager. Nous souhaitons partager avec vous notre amour de la Somalie et nos souvenirs d’avoir grandi là-bas. En des temps paisibles et tranquilles.

La cuisine somalienne est simple. Pas de sauces élaborées ou d’assaisonnements extrêmes. Elle n’est pas brûlante mais elle n’est pas fade. A travers ce site, nous allons essayer de présenter toutes les régions de Somalie et nous ferons des incursions dans les pays voisins. S’il y a bien une chose que nous avons apprise de notre passion pour la cuisine, c’est que le monde est interconnecté, et notre humanité commune. 

Aujourd’hui, la Somalie est blessée. Nous espérons que la Somalie redeviendra un pays où domine l’unité et la diversité, où les différences sont célébrées, où les droits de chacun sont respectés sans distinction de race, de religion, de genre, et où personne n’est au dessus de la loi.

 

Leila and Abdullahi

Leila & Abdullahi. Seville, Spain 2009.

 


“Imagine we are all the same.  Imagine we all agree about politics, religion and morality. Imagine we like the same types of music, food and coffee.  Sound boring?  Differences need not divide us. Embrace diversity.  Dignity is everyone’s  human right.”

Bill Brummel

 

 

 

               

 

“Variety is the spice of life.”


515 Responses to ABOUT (ANNAGA) QUI SOMMES NOUS
  1. Brigitte
    August 28, 2011 | 5:22 am

    Hi Leila and Abdullahi,

    Great homepage. I already forwarded the link to our daugthers.

    Looking forward for more recipies (mufo!!). Keep on going.

    Brigitte

  2. A&L
    August 28, 2011 | 4:41 pm

    Thank you Brigitte for your words of encouragement. They will keep us going.

    • qali omar
      March 13, 2012 | 8:03 pm

      masha alah walalahey ilahey ha idin xafido amiin

      • A&L
        March 14, 2012 | 10:01 pm

        Aamiin. Mahadsanid walaal.

      • abbas
        March 14, 2013 | 10:40 am

        SCW salaan ka dib aad ayaan ugu faa idaystay web-saadkina sababtoo ah waxaan qabaa gabar norweegian ah cutadii somalidana waan uxiisay marka walaalayaal waxaan idinka codsan lahaa hadii ay macquul tahay inaad inoo soo gilisaan webka sida loo kariyo (BUR_SHIL_SHIL)ama (BUR_SALIID) wuxuu ku fiican yahay in lagu cuno -sanbuuska-
        MAHAD_SANADIIN

        • A&L
          March 15, 2013 | 1:14 am

          Wacalaykum Assalaam Waraxmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.
          Waan ku faraxnay faalladaada waan na ku mahadsan tahay. Waxaan kaloo ku faraxsan nahay inaan kugu kaalmeynay inaad baratid cuntooyinka aan dhaqanka iyo hiddaha u leennahay. Hadduu Eebbe idmo waan soo gelin doonnaa bur saliid. Mahadsanid walaal.

    • Zakiya
      April 13, 2013 | 4:33 pm

      AWWB Abdullahi iyo Laila YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING WALAAHI YOU HAVE TURNED ME TO A CHIEF lol I am addicted to your website above all ilaahey cimri dheer iyo caafimaad ha idin siiyo you are the best you are doing an Amazing job keep up the good work Kudos. May God Be with you and Bless you.

      Love Always

      • A&L
        April 15, 2013 | 10:40 pm

        Wa’alaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
        We are delighted to know that you like the website. Thank you very much for your encouraging words. God bless you.

    • omar
      August 22, 2018 | 1:13 pm

      brother can you make video showing how to make ashari lemon

  3. Saeeda
    September 5, 2011 | 1:14 pm

    Would like a very well done to you guys, enjoyed the info, and would love to wish you all the very best of success.

    Regards

    Saeeda

    • A&L
      September 5, 2011 | 11:25 pm

      Thank you, Saeeda, for your positive feedback. We really appreciate it. We will do our best to keep it up.

  4. Dina
    September 22, 2011 | 12:29 pm

    Amazing website! Love the design, the beautiful photos, and the info. I like the Somali xawaash map and the concept of diversity that you expressed so eloquently.

    • A&L
      September 22, 2011 | 1:54 pm

      Thank you very much for your comment. We hope to keep meeting your expectations.

  5. Aysha Ali
    October 10, 2011 | 11:14 am

    I had wondered why the name “Xawaash” for your website but it made a lot of sense when I pondered over it. The use of spices is almost as old as human history itself.
    The tiny but fertile islands of East of Africa are sources for several of the finest spices. Some of the spices are going to overlap and be used in many countries. One of the things that make each cuisine its own unique thing is the unique combinations of even similar spices. In our foods, we enjoy the ‘spice of life’ so I do believe that “Xawaash” is an apt name for this website. Very creative and very well done. Congratulations!

    • A&L
      October 10, 2011 | 11:39 pm

      Thank you for your kind words. Please check regularly for new and exciting recipes.

  6. Safiyah A. Badawi
    October 16, 2011 | 4:56 pm

    Assalamu alaykum to both of you :)

    Many congrats and encouragements from your family across the Atlantic (Manchester, UK). I must say that I’m overwhelmed by your website and the birth of this concept. Its Amazing….High class. Loving it totally. All this food display makes me appreciate my mum very much. In this busy and fast-paced world, where most people have replaced our delicious bravanese delights for quick fast-food packages, she still goes out of her way to make all these meals for us. May God always bless her and all those who strive to preserve good in this life. Ameen.

    Wish you both success in this life and the akhirah. :)

    • A&L
      October 16, 2011 | 5:56 pm

      Thank you very much Safiyah for your wonderful comments! That will sure give us a boost. It is nice to know that the effort we put in this website is being recognized.
      Best wishes to you and all the family.

  7. Safiyah A. Badawi
    October 17, 2011 | 11:01 am

    Can I hope/dream of a book? Please, you must work on a book and put all this great work on paper. I want something tangible to pass on to my prodgeny insha’Allah.

    • A&L
      October 18, 2011 | 8:37 pm

      A book? It is not in our plans for now. If there is ever one, you’ll be the first to have it. Regards.

  8. sarah
    October 29, 2011 | 7:24 pm

    I’m seriously loving your blog, please keep it up don’t stop. I’ve just found your blog today and it is a jewel. Can’t wait to try the recipes.

    • A&L
      October 29, 2011 | 11:27 pm

      Thank you very much Sarah for your awesome comment. We are currently working on many recipes which we hope to post soon.

  9. Murtaza
    November 8, 2011 | 12:02 pm

    Recommended by Yousuf. Would love to try it all. Also, the website is very nicely done.

    • A&L
      November 8, 2011 | 10:26 pm

      Thank you Murtaza. We hope that you will try some of the recipes.

  10. Margie
    November 10, 2011 | 8:10 pm

    Lovely, lovely blog!
    I look forward to trying many of your recipes. Especially the breads. I love doing fermented loaves.

    • A&L
      November 10, 2011 | 10:00 pm

      Thanks for the nice comment. Since you like fermented loaves, we would like to suggest to you to try Bravanese Bread (Maanda). You won’t be disappointed.

  11. Ato
    November 17, 2011 | 9:40 pm

    I love this… I just love this and yeah I love Somali food… Every time I come here to check what is new… Baahi aa i qabato

    • A&L
      November 18, 2011 | 3:33 pm

      Thank you, Ato. You said “Baahi aa i qabata” (I get hungry) when you visit this website. What do you do about that hunger? Roll up your sleeves man, and do something about it! Regards.

  12. sofia
    November 21, 2011 | 11:23 am

    i love your website keep it up. i was wondering one of those days if you could add fress tuna from scratch. this will remind me the time i have spend in brava. thank you for the geat gift you have giving us.

    • A&L
      November 21, 2011 | 1:19 pm

      We are familiar with that also. We will definitely include it in the list of recipes that we hope to post, God willing.

  13. Amina
    November 24, 2011 | 7:42 pm

    Just stumbled upon your youtube page.

    I love how detailed and clear your recipes and videos are. Keep them coming!

    :)

    • A&L
      November 25, 2011 | 9:56 am

      Thank you, Amina. Keep visiting and spread the word!

  14. Yasmin Fadil
    November 27, 2011 | 7:00 pm

    Thank You very much Great home page, I look forward to trying many of your recipes, Its Amazing website! Love the design, the beautiful photos, and the info. is very clear Mashallah

    • A&L
      November 27, 2011 | 9:05 pm

      Thank you, Yasmin. We’re happy that you liked it. Keep visiting.

  15. Kother Abdullahi
    November 29, 2011 | 8:18 am

    I underestimated how divine our Somali cuisine is. Thank you Leila and Abdullahi for what u doing. I long searched for the Cnjala and Bajya recipe.

    • A&L
      November 29, 2011 | 9:36 am

      We need to rediscover our roots and appreciate our heritage. Kother, thanks for your comment.

  16. Suad
    November 30, 2011 | 10:36 pm

    Asalama Aleykum! Masha Allah! May Allah bring a lot of baraka to you and your family for all the efforts you have put in to this website. I love the professionalism and the great quality of video and pictures you have posted. I absolutely love the beautiful images and the easy step by step process in to making a xawaash dish. We often eat with our eyes, and all your recipes look exquisite and delicious. I have already tried a recipe and can’t wait to try more mouthwatering dishes. Please keep up the good work and keep those recipes coming.

    • A&L
      November 30, 2011 | 11:11 pm

      Wa-Aleykum As-salaam! Thank you very much for your comment. We feel touched. May God Almighty bless you and your family. We hope to bring you more and more recipes and while it is a lot of work, we are enjoying it every step of the way.

  17. Muslimah Beauty
    December 15, 2011 | 1:58 pm

    Salaamualaykum, this blog is amazing and I love how you’ve given such detail into the Somali cuisine. As a second generation Somali living in the UK, it can be a little easy to forget about your culture and its cuisine so I’ll definitely be referring to your blog when I have a home of my own and I’ll be using your recipes!

    It’s as though I’ve been transported to Somalia with all the food. Well done :)

    • A&L
      December 15, 2011 | 4:06 pm

      Thank you for your comment. However, please don’t wait till you have a home of your own. Invite some friends and whip up a Somali meal. It will be a good practice for you as you showcase your culture and transport them to Somalia.

      • Muslimah Beauty
        December 16, 2011 | 6:55 pm

        You’re very right; I’ve got a lot of foreign friends who are interested in Somali food. I’ll definitely do a little dinner for them :)

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