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
Tag: Somali
Somali Plantain Stew (Maraq Moos Bukiini) Ragoût de Plantains à la Somali 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
Somali Doughnuts (Kac Kac) Beignets Somalis الدونت الصومالي
Long before we were introduced to the doughnuts we had outside Somalia, we were familiar with kac kac. We loved these tasty snacks that were sold in traditional Somali restaurants (maqaayo Soomaali) in Mogadishu. They were great for a quick breakfast when served alongside a cup of Somali tea with milk (shaah caddeeys). In those… Continue reading Somali Doughnuts (Kac Kac) Beignets Somalis الدونت الصومالي
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
Yogurt Coconut Chicken (Digaag Qumbe) Poulet Coco au Yaourt دجاج بالزبادي والنارجيل
East African curries are influenced by Indian as well as Middle Eastern cuisines, so any similarities are not coincidental. This curry contains coconut milk which features prominently in Swahili cooking and it is one of the ingredients that makes the food really delicious. This recipe is a family favourite and is one of the… Continue reading Yogurt Coconut Chicken (Digaag Qumbe) Poulet Coco au Yaourt دجاج بالزبادي والنارجيل
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
Somali Malawah (Malawax) Malawah الملوًّح الصومالي
What is round, goes around, comes around. To us, that sums the story of the Somali Malawah (Malawax). We wish to think that the crepe originated in the Horn of Africa. The Horn is the home of the Ethiopian Injera, the Eritrean Injera, Somali Anjero or Lahoh, Malawah, and Ambaabur. It is not clear… Continue reading Somali Malawah (Malawax) Malawah الملوًّح الصومالي
Jerky-Style Beef Cubes (Oodkac/Muqmad) Cubes de Boeuf Façon Viande Séchée لحم بقري مجفف
Oodkac or Muqmad is what Somalis prepare whenever they want to preserve meat. During times of plenty, that is the rainy days, the nomads save for a dry day. Rainy days bring abundance (barwaaqo), when the milk from the herd is flowing and meat becomes available. The preserved meat was sometimes the only food… Continue reading Jerky-Style Beef Cubes (Oodkac/Muqmad) Cubes de Boeuf Façon Viande Séchée لحم بقري مجفف
Beef & Lamb Fatayer (Fataa’ir) Chaussons au Boeuf et a l’Agneau فطائر باللحم
For Middle Eastern recipes, we owe a lot to Jeddah where we lived for several years. With so many expatriate friends as well as all the different types of restaurants, it was very easy to fall in love with Middle Eastern cooking. Leila was not working at the time (just like most of the… Continue reading Beef & Lamb Fatayer (Fataa’ir) Chaussons au Boeuf et a l’Agneau فطائر باللحم
Refreshing Salad (Insalaaddo) Salade Rafraîchissante سلطة منعشة
This cool, refreshing salad says summer to us but it is great all year round. The refreshing feeling comes from the moisture-laden cucumbers and tomatoes, and the mild onion flavour from the green onions. The salad also has a wonderful texture with different levels of crunchiness ranging from the slight resistance offered by the… Continue reading Refreshing Salad (Insalaaddo) Salade Rafraîchissante سلطة منعشة