Fried Fish (Kalluun La Shiilay) Poisson Frit السمك المقلي

English Af-Soomaali Français عربي Fried Fish www.xawaash.com Sometimes people make the weirdest assumptions. They engage in stereotyping that may not end up too well for them. Like the woman who came to visit my mother at our home in Mogadishu. I was thirteen then, and at that time I was sitting under the shade of… Continue reading Fried Fish (Kalluun La Shiilay) Poisson Frit السمك المقلي

Adriyad (Cadriyad) Adriyad الشعيرية او العطرية

English Af-Soomaali Français عربي Adriyad (cadriyad) is a traditional Somali dish prepared with vermicelli pasta. It is more common in the northern parts of Somalia where it is served as both a dessert dish or served with rice. In Brava, it is known as seewiya and it is usually served as a dessert during Ramadan… Continue reading Adriyad (Cadriyad) Adriyad الشعيرية او العطرية

2 Sponge Cakes (2 Doolsho Soomaali) 2 Génoises ٢ كيك إسفنجي

2 Sponge Cakes (2 Doolsho Soomaali) ٢ كيك إسفنجي

English Af-Soomaali Français   A sponge cake was the first cake we baked in Somalia. The ingredients were: 6 eggs, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup flour. The steps were: separate the yolks from the egg whites; beat the egg whites with the sugar until foamy; beat in the egg yolks, then gently add the… Continue reading 2 Sponge Cakes (2 Doolsho Soomaali) 2 Génoises ٢ كيك إسفنجي

Meatballs (Kabaab) Boulettes de viande كور الكفتة

Meatballs (Kabaab) كور الكفتة

English Af-Somaali Français Meatballs always take me back to Mogadishu, Somalia. They take me to Moallim Jama School, the school that I went to for my last year of elementary education. They remind me of the ‘breakfast lady’ who used to serve us small meatball sandwiches in the schoolyard during our mid-morning break. Back then,… Continue reading Meatballs (Kabaab) Boulettes de viande كور الكفتة

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… Continue reading Vegetable Stew (Maraq Qudaar) Légumes Mijotés مرق الخضار

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… Continue reading Meso (Meeso) Meso مَيْسُوا

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… Continue reading Balbalow & Zibatera (Baalbaaloow) Balbalow & Zibatera بسكويت مقلي

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… Continue reading 2 Somali Hot Sauces (2 Nooc Basbaas) 2 Sauces Piquantes Somali البسباس الصومالي

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

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