Tag: East Africa

Somali Doughnuts (Kac Kac) Beignets Somalis الدونت الصومالي

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Somali Shortbread Cookies (Icun – 2 nooc) Sablés Somalis الغريبة

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, [Click for Full Recipe]

Yogurt Coconut Chicken (Digaag Qumbe) Poulet Coco au Yaourt دجاج بالزبادي والنارجيل

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Cilantro Rice (Bariis Kabsaro Leh) Riz au Coriandre الأرز بالكزبرة

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks (Lugo Digaag La-foorneeyay) Cuisses de Poulet Rôties دجاج محمر بالفرن

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Creme Caramel (Doolshe Banaaddir) Crème Caramel كريم كراميل

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Pizza 4 Ways (Biitso 4 Nooc) Pizza 4 Façons البيتزا – 4 انواع

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Vegetable Soup (Barooddo Qudaar) Soupe de Légumes شربة خضار

Vegetable Soup (Barooddo Qudaar) Soupe de Légumes شربة خضار

  We learned how to make this soup from Hooyo¹ Fadumo Abdulle (Abdullahi’s mother). Hooyo Fadumo is an amazing cook but her story with cooking did not have the greatest start. Actually, it began with an embarrassing experience. Even though born and raised in Mogadishu, [Click for Full Recipe]

Somali Malawah (Malawax) Malawah الملوًّح الصومالي

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 [Click for Full Recipe]

Jerky-Style Beef Cubes (Oodkac/Muqmad) Cubes de Boeuf Façon Viande Séchée لحم بقري مجفف

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 [Click for Full Recipe]