This is a simple chicken stew that goes well with the Somali Chapati (Sabaayad), the Potato & Cumin Rice (Pilau), or Maanda (Muufo). It’s a typical Somali stew flavoured with Xawaash (Somali spice mix). Growing up in Somalia, the chicken we had there were all free range. The meat was tougher and required a much… Continue reading Chicken Stew (Maraq Digaag) Poulet Mijoté
Tag: Somali
Somali Chapati (Sabaayad) Chapati Somali
This flatbread is different from the Indian chapati and is more like a paratha. The Somali chapati (sabaayad) is crispy on the outside and flaky and tender inside. It is slightly sweet, and it is cooked to a golden colour with a little oil. This style of chapati is popular in many parts of East… Continue reading Somali Chapati (Sabaayad) Chapati Somali
Somali Corn Grits (Soor Furfur ah) (Zijjo zaa Gelle) Semoule de Maïs Somali
Zijjo zaa Gelle (Corn Grits) is a staple in Brava, Somalia. The Bravanese are known for maanda or muufo Baraawe (Bravanese bread), but this is the main dish served for the midday meal. Unlike soor (polenta-style grits) that is popular in other parts of Somalia, these grits are light and fluffy just like couscous. However,… Continue reading Somali Corn Grits (Soor Furfur ah) (Zijjo zaa Gelle) Semoule de Maïs Somali
Roasted Lamb (Hilib Ari la-foorneeyey) Agneau Rôti au Four
When my mother’s maternal grandfather moved to Mogadishu, he stayed at his daughter’s house. All his life he was a pastoralist but as he became old and feeble, he decided to settle down. City life was new to him and he had to learn a few things the hard way. One of the problems he… Continue reading Roasted Lamb (Hilib Ari la-foorneeyey) Agneau Rôti au Four
Somali Halwa (Xalwo) Halwa Somali
For Somalis, Halwa (Xalwo) is synonymous with festive occasions, particularly weddings. When a Somali says, “Xalwaddeeda ma-cunin,” (lit. “I didn’t eat her halwa”) it means “I didn’t attend her wedding.” Made mainly of butter/oil and sugar, halwa is laden with calories. However, it was a delicacy that was consumed on special occasions and in… Continue reading Somali Halwa (Xalwo) Halwa Somali
One-pot Rice & Goat Meat (Bariis Isku-karis) Potée de Riz à la Viande de Chèvre
We have received so many requests to make this dish that we moved it up in the list of recipes that we want to post. It is quite understandable though why so many wanted us to post it. This one-pot rice dish can be very addictive. The flavour imparted to the rice from the goat… Continue reading One-pot Rice & Goat Meat (Bariis Isku-karis) Potée de Riz à la Viande de Chèvre
Chicken Steak (Bisteeki Digaag) Steak de Poulet
This is an easy and very quick dish that is useful to have in your repertoire. It’s fantastic when you get unannounced visitors who need to be fed in no time. Somalis, or at least first generation immigrant Somalis, are known to just show up without calling ahead. Please don’t misunderstand us, ’cause we’re not… Continue reading Chicken Steak (Bisteeki Digaag) Steak de Poulet
Mixed Vegetables (Qudaar) Légumes mélangés
Somalis have very few vegetarian dishes. In the southern part of Somalia, where most of the agriculture is concentrated, more vegetables are consumed. For most Somalis, vegetables are added to meat dishes. Potatoes, carrots, green peppers, pumpkins, and plantains are popular. The following is a vegan recipe that is both nutritious and flavourful. The vegetables are… Continue reading Mixed Vegetables (Qudaar) Légumes mélangés
Thin-sliced Beef Steak (Bisteeki Hilib) Steak de Boeuf tranché très fin
The Japanese sukiyaki beef has a lot of history, but this sukiyaki-cut beef steak has a simple story. When you can’t afford expensive cuts of beef and you can’t be without steak, what is the solution? Well, you take a cheap cut of ungraded beef and you slice it very thin. Give the steaks a… Continue reading Thin-sliced Beef Steak (Bisteeki Hilib) Steak de Boeuf tranché très fin
Somali Pasta Sauce (Suugo Suqaar) Sauce Somali pour les pâtes
The traditional Somali Pasta Sauce is prepared with beef cut into very small cubes instead of ground beef. There were two main reasons for this. First and foremost, it was because of home economics. When the family members are served pasta with a meat sauce that they chew, they won’t need another meat dish to… Continue reading Somali Pasta Sauce (Suugo Suqaar) Sauce Somali pour les pâtes