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… Continue reading Balbalow & Zibatera (Baalbaaloow) Balbalow & Zibatera بسكويت مقلي
Tag: Cunno Soomaali
2 Somali Hot Sauces (2 Nooc Basbaas) 2 Sauces Piquantes Somali 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… Continue reading 2 Somali Hot Sauces (2 Nooc Basbaas) 2 Sauces Piquantes Somali البسباس الصومالي
Eye of Round Roast (Hilib Aroosto) Rôti de Rond de Gîte 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… Continue reading Eye of Round Roast (Hilib Aroosto) Rôti de Rond de Gîte روستو العجل
Ambabur (Cambaabur) Ambabur لحوح بالبهارات
This flat bread is very popular as a breakfast item that is usually served during the Eid. It is similar to Anjero but it has additional ingredients that make it different. Ambabur has different spices added to the batter that give it a special taste. The types of spices added can vary from one… Continue reading Ambabur (Cambaabur) Ambabur لحوح بالبهارات
Somali Shortbread Cookies (Icun – 2 nooc) Sablés Somalis الغريبة
Icun icalaanji caloosha iggee (iggeli) Are you getting ready for Eid? What would Eid be without icun? We mean the icun of “icun icalaanji caloosha iggee (iggeli)” fame. That is what the street vendors selling icun used to say and it means “eat me, chew me, and dispatch me to the stomach.” We do… Continue reading Somali Shortbread Cookies (Icun – 2 nooc) Sablés Somalis الغريبة
Cilantro Rice (Bariis Kabsaro Leh) Riz au Coriandre الأرز بالكزبرة
We hear a lot about teamwork in the workplace but little about teamwork at home. We believe it is just as important if not more. We like to cook together, prepare recipes together, as well as taking turns to cook. Apart from the benefit it has of building a stronger relationship and fostering companionship… Continue reading Cilantro Rice (Bariis Kabsaro Leh) Riz au Coriandre الأرز بالكزبرة
Roasted Chicken Drumsticks (Lugo Digaag La-foorneeyay) Cuisses de Poulet Rôties دجاج محمر بالفرن
When we roasted these chicken drumsticks, we took them to a gathering at a friend’s house. One of her guests tried them and she said to us, “I have never had chicken this good in my WHOLE LIFE! I am a chef and I know what I am talking about.” Wow! What an amazing… Continue reading Roasted Chicken Drumsticks (Lugo Digaag La-foorneeyay) Cuisses de Poulet Rôties دجاج محمر بالفرن
Creme Caramel (Doolshe Banaaddir) Crème Caramel كريم كراميل
In Somalia, creme caramel was not a dessert that was made on a regular basis. It was usually made when guests were invited. We believe it was due to the fact that eggs were not easy to come by. Most of the good restaurants in Mogadishu served creme caramel and it was always our… Continue reading Creme Caramel (Doolshe Banaaddir) Crème Caramel كريم كراميل
Pizza 4 Ways (Biitso 4 Nooc) Pizza 4 Façons البيتزا – 4 انواع
In a previous post, we told you the story of Hooyo Fadumo’s beginnings with cooking and her fish debacle. Wanting to learn, she sought out anyone who could teach her: family, friends, and even total strangers. She tells the story of how she approached a Somali cook who was working for an Italian neighbour.… Continue reading Pizza 4 Ways (Biitso 4 Nooc) Pizza 4 Façons البيتزا – 4 انواع
Mashmash (Mashmash – Bishbishi) Mashmash مشمش
Mashmash (rhymes with hush-hush) is a classic Somali snack that is usually paired with samosas. It is on the greasy side but in Somalia, greasy was not always associated with bad. There was a time when oily meant nutritious. We remember seeing construction workers in Mogadishu using mashmash as a sandwich filling. At the time… Continue reading Mashmash (Mashmash – Bishbishi) Mashmash مشمش