Grits with Beef Stew
- Soomaali
- Soor iyo Maraq
- Français
- Gruau au Pot-au-Feu de Boeuf
- العربية
- not translated yet
By Leila & Abdullahi · ·
This is the ultimate comfort food. Forget about those fancy mancy foods that make you looking for something to eat not long after your meal. This is both filling and fulfilling. Nothing triggers memories like this dish. Make sure you’re happy when you first eat this, because those memories will stay with you for a long, long time. We know this because the first time we served this dish to some friends away from the homeland, we saw tears well in their eyes. Oh, yes!
Known in Somalia as soor, gashiisho, shuuro, malalaf, it is the most common staple food across the country. Grits are cheap and they store well, making them a food that is easily accessible to everyone. Another advantage is that they take very little time to cook.
It is usually served with a stew, with milk and sugar, or with butter and sugar. If you happen to have both a stew and some milk in hand for the grits, first you eat them with the stew, then you add the milk and sugar to the remaining grits. Are you still waiting for dessert?
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Ingredients
1 cup = 237 mL · 1 Tbsp = 15 mL · 1 tsp = 5 mL. All are level measurements.
Beef Stew
Grits
Method
Tap a step to mark it done.
Beef stew
Saute the onions and garlic in the oil. Add the xawaash, then about a minute later add the beef. Stir well and cover the pot for 5 minutes. We used a very tender cut of beef that doesn’t require a lot of time to cook.
Add the potatoes, the water, and tomato paste, then cover the pot and let the stew cook for 10 minutes. If using a tougher cut of beef, cook until tender. Add the peppers 3 minutes before turning off the heat.
Grits
Bring the water to a boil, then add the salt. Slowly stir in the white corn grits. Stir vigorously so no lumps are formed.
Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes on medium heat. Stir every 5 minutes. After the 15 minutes are over, turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. It is now ready to serve.
Serving suggestion
Scoop some of the grits onto a deep dish. Make a well in the middle and scoop the stew into the well. You don’t want a banana with it? You don’t know what you are missing!
Comments
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Assalaamu alaikum, I just want to say this is one of the best and most authentic Somali websites around. My grandmother and both parents (Arabs) were born and grew up in Somalia. I remember visiting the beautiful country when I was barely 7-8yrs and can still recall VIVIDLY the amazing foods and beautiful landscapes! I grew up in Kenya, and my mum on occasion would make g’shiisho and us kids would lick our plates. I have not seen my mum in over 10 years and when I saw this post I literally cried longing for her. I remember she used to make the grits with coconut milk, probably because in coastal Kenya, coconut milk is a big part of most meals. Am not sure if there is a different version of that kind of g’shiisho or it was just an added twist of mum’s to the recipe, would you know? I would so love to make this dish for my family!
Wa’alaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Thank you so much for your generous comment and supportive words. We really do appreciate them.
We know that coconut milk is used to make corn grits in some parts of Somalia. God willing, we will post a recipe in the near future. For now, you can substitute coconut milk for half the water.
oohh is it also known as polenta? i have seen yellow one. thank you again for the quick reply, may Allah give you more khayr and xasana for duuniya and akhira.
Polenta is cornmeal; it is made from yellow or white corn. Thank you for your special prayer and comment.
Asalamucaleykum A&L i just wanted to know if i can use semolina instead of corn grits, or are the same thing?
thank you so much for your help:)
Wa’alaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
You can use semolina for this recipe. Semolina is made from wheat while the one we used here is corn grits. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing the lovely food reminds me of my mum’s food.
You are most welcome. We are happy we reminded you of your mother’s food.
ascwrwb,waa idin salaamay the beutiful couple oo noo sameeyay this site, maasha allah u can only imagine how u guys are helping alot of people, thanx for the sanbuus, soor iyo maraq, most of the recipe aa soo galiseen i will try insha allah. aad iyo aad aa ugu mahadsantihiin shaqada qabaneysiin, ilaahay haidinkugu badalo caafimaad, ilmo baari ah, iyo wax kastoo aa jeceshihiin. cuno macaan aa familkaaga u karineysit is another way of showing them jacaylkaaga, and u guys are helpin us do just that, thanx again
Wacalaykum Assalaam Waraxmatullaahi Wabarakaatuhu,
Aad iyo aad ayaa ugu mahadsan tahay faallada iyo hadalada fiican. Sidoo kalena waxaad aad ugu mahadsan tahay dhiira gelinta.