Somali Rice
- Soomaali
- Bariis
- Français
- Riz à la Somali
- العربية
- not translated yet
By Leila & Abdullahi · ·
We have tried rice dishes from different parts of the world and we had some nice experiences. One thing, however, never fails to amaze us. It is how delicious Somali rice is, considering that it is not a staple food in Somalia. Yes, Somali restaurants serve rice, but for the majority of Somali households in urban areas, pasta is what is consumed on a daily basis. In villages and rural areas across Somalia, the main food is Soor (grits) made of either corn or sorghum.
Yet when Somalis invite guests to their home, they serve them rice. Huge platters of rice, flavoured with spices that compliment the natural aroma of the rice. The rice is garnished with Somali Rice Topping (a unique blend of vegetables, raisins and Xawaash). Then on top of that is the crowning glory: chunks of delicious goat meat. Yum!
It is a feast for the eyes. Then you dig in, literally. Forget about the spoon and fork. They have yet to invent an implement that is better than a hand, that can rip a piece of meat, cut a slice of banana, and scoop some rice in one fell swoop.
Ingredients
1 cup = 237 mL · 1 Tbsp = 15 mL · 1 tsp = 5 mL. All are level measurements.
Lamb stock
Method
Tap a step to mark it done.
Lamb stock
Prepare the lamb stock. Sauté the onions, garlic, and the spices in the oil.
Add the meat and cook for about 2 minutes then add the water. Let it simmer until the stock reduces to about 4.5 cups.
Rice
While the stock is reducing, wash the rice until the water runs clear. Then soak the rice in cold water for half an hour.
Use a large, shallow pot (sauté pan) so the rice cooks evenly. Sauté the onions, garlic, and the spices in the oil and butter. When the onions become translucent, add the drained rice and cook for 5 minutes.
Use a sieve to pour the hot stock over the rice mixture. Add the meat. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for half an hour. Don’t open the lid and let the steam escape.
Comments
95 commentsThanks! Your comment will appear once we’ve checked it.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Is there any video recipe available of this dish?
Pls recommend one
I want to try making it at my home
From Karachi Pakistan
I absolutely love your videos and website, very helpful and very extensive.
I’d like to add however, that rice is a staple food in Somali households! In the countryside it’s even grown there. We don’t make this particular rice dish every day,but we make the rice with tomato or a lighter version of spiced rice two to three times a week unless we’re taking a break and eating muufo, canjeero or sabaayad/kimis with stew instead. Pasta is also commonly cooked in different ways. Soor is also not the only other food eaten in the countryside.
I came by this site by pure accident I am a young Somali student at university in London UK and I cannot thank you enough for this site, I am sick and tired of take-aways dry pizzas and quick fixes. So glad you guys took the initiative to create this site thank you once again and God bless you.
Where has this site been my whole life?! Mashallah, you guys have created a masterpiece… It’s so nice and heartwarming to see this site with all my childhood recipes all neatly presented. Often as a young Somali who was born aboard it feels like there is nothing to be proud of our home. This site is a reminder of our rich and proud history, our food is delicious and tells a story about our heritage in itself.
I’m really impressed with the enthusiasm and dignity the stories on this site are conveyed. My husband isn’t Somali, and mother lives aboard so this site is really helpful for me to keep my culture and roots alive. Now, I can stop making easy Mexican and Indian meals I can eat the meals my mother cooked for me as a child. And that’s entirely thanks to you both Leila & Abdullahi, aw gyro to you both are an inspiration and a testament to Somali strength and pride. Kept on shining, Amin!!
What a wonderful a comment! We don’t know how to thank you for your kind words of praise. It is very gratifying to see how this website has benefited you. Please let us know if there are any foods which you like that we have not posted yet. You are right that for quite some time now positive stories from Somalia are rare.
Thank you very, very much. We wish you all the best.
Asalamu alaykum layla and abdulahi
I saw the recipe you sent me i forget to mention in my last commennt that it was a rice topping .my mom is really desperate to see the topping you made without frying in oil.it also takes less than half hour maybe 25 minutes to cook not the topping you made with tomato and corriander
Wa’alaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
We think you mean this recipe /recipes/somali-rice-topping/#sthash.f7X37L7i.dpbs. Please note that this recipe has no video. Give our regards to your mom.