Zurbian (Surbiyaan) زربيان

English Af-Soomaali Français عربي Zurbian or zurbiyan is a type of Biryani that is popular in Yemen, other parts of the Arabian Peninsula as well as parts of Somalia. We believe the Arabic name زربيان (zurbiyan) was derived from رز برياني (ruz biryani) where the first two letters were reversed. Zurbian which is a variant… Continue reading Zurbian (Surbiyaan) زربيان

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

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks (Lugo Digaag La-foorneeyay) 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

Spinach, Carrots, & Potatoes (Mbogga/Isbinaasho) Epinards, Carottes, Pommes de Terre

Spinach, Carrots, & Potatoes (Mbogga/Isbinaasho)

  This is a healthy and great-tasting vegetable dish made of spinach and chunky mashed potatoes and carrots. You can serve it as a side dish or you can eat it with bread, muufo, anjero, rice, or you can even toss it with fresh pasta.  It is an easy dish and is nutritious at the… Continue reading Spinach, Carrots, & Potatoes (Mbogga/Isbinaasho) Epinards, Carottes, Pommes de Terre

Chicken Stew (Maraq Digaag) Poulet Mijoté

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

Somali Rice Topping – Garniture de Riz Somali

Somali Rice Topping

  Somali rice with toppings evokes old memories of family gatherings, and festive occasions.  It reminds me particularly of ziyaras (rememberences) where large numbers of women gather to cook rice and meat in huge pots set on open fires. I remember my grandparents’ house in Mogadishu, where a ziyara was held once a year to… Continue reading Somali Rice Topping – Garniture de Riz Somali