Tag: kenyan food (Page 12 of 14)

Chilli and Garlic Matumbo

March 10, 2015 / Kaluhi / 54 Comments

I do not know exactly why I never liked Matumbo for the better part of my life. Maybe I may have had a nasty matumbo experience when I was a child that led me to absolutely abhor that meal. This all changed last year when I decided to face my fears and had matumbo for the first time in a very long time. And it was the tastiest thing I had tasted in a long time. I then concluded that probably it all comes down to how you cook it, and if it is cooked well, the results are always spectacular!

Matumbo is a swahili word which in this context loosely translates to innards. The western world refers to matumbo as tripe and I was pleased that they too indulge in this delicacy. It is the meat that comes from the stomach of a cow, making it an organ meat. It is cheaper than muscle meats and very nutritious. Today I prepared for you one of my new favorites, with the fabulous flavors of chilli and garlic. The technique I used was very specific so just read on to find out more :). I am so excited about this!!!!!

Hearty Matoke Fries

March 6, 2015 / Kaluhi / 0 Comments

I am always looking for new ways to have my everyday meals. As part of the many existing alternatives of french fries ,my favorite alternative are matoke fries.Matoke (plantain) Fries are an excellent substitute to French Fries. They are more hearty, cook up quickly, are less greasy and more nutritious. Serve these hot and with ketchup or any sauce that you would serve with French Fries. I had mine with my sweet corn and tomato salad. This meal was nothing short of fantastic.

Gourmet Coleslaw

February 24, 2015 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

One of my most memorable childhood memories are those that involve family get-aways and short trips within the country. I particularly fondly remember the times when my parents used to take my sisters and I (sometimes together with my cousins) to a recreation spot deep in the breathtaking Maasai Land called Olooloitikoshi every other Sunday afternoon. As we had been told, olooloitikoshi means “The land of the Zebras” in the Maasai dialect (i stand corrected if that translation is wrong :D), and for us, it was the funnest place on the planet. Immediately after church, we would pass by home, dress down a little, prepare some bitings and leave for the Rift Valley. One of the things that my mommy used to make every single time was some coleslaw. This always made the perfect accompaniment to the tender roast meat and the steamy soft mukimu served by the locals together with all other delicacies we would have at the foot of the Ngong hills.

Today I present to you one of dishes that never never missed our outings,coleslaw, but with a delicious gourmet twist. It goes beyond the basic cabbage and carrot for coleslaw and includes an array of other ingredients that make this more wholesome and 5 star worthy. Read on to know exactly how to make your coleslaw fantastic <3

All-Kenyan Bean Stew

February 20, 2015 / Kaluhi / 32 Comments

In my country, the foods served are pretty stream lined. Kenyans have a very clear idea about what they like to eat all the time, and what they prefer not to have. This can be a really good thing and a really bad thing. One of the many foods that are really popular in Kenyan cuisine are bean stew and chapati. Some people also love to have the bean stew with some rice and at times some ugali. Today, I decided to add my own twist to this Kenyan favorite which takes it up a notch.

I boiled my beans with whole cumin seeds, garlic cloves and ginger root. This gave the individual beans character and a fabulous depth of flavor. It was made even more special using thick tomato sauce, amazing taste of red onion richness of bell papers, and texture of carrot.

Prepare to be taken to cloud 9!

Thyme and Garlic Dry Fry Goat Meat

February 17, 2015 / Kaluhi / 56 Comments

Food is a medium that brings people together. It is the perfect ice breaker. It is a way that can bring people closer together. I also consider it a way of showing affection and/or appreciation for those around especially when effort and love is put in the preparation of their favorite meals. I am the kind of person who enjoys watching those close to me absolutely enjoy what I make for them hence I put my all in making their favorite dishes.

I know someone really special to me really loves goat meat. I have never made this dish for him yet as I was searching for the perfect recipe. I tried this out for myself first to see if the flavors blend, and for my sisters to critique and give their reviews. I loved it and my sisters enjoyed this so much, I just had to share it with you guys too. Now I know when I do make this dish for him, he will be blown away! I hope you make this for those close to your heart too 🙂

Creamed Spinach

February 6, 2015 / Kaluhi / 5 Comments

In my country Kenya, the most popular vegetables that accompany any meal are kale and cabbage. They are nutritious, but when you have them too often one yearns for a bit more variety. That’s when I always indulge in veggies popular in my tribe, the Luhya tribe, which offer greater variety and have bolder flavor and character. Such as these include tsisaga, mutere, murenda,kanzira, seveve, mto e.t.c. They are usually cooked with cream and various other ingredients that make this vegetables rich and beautifully tasty. During the times I cannot access them, I usually have creamed spinach. Creamed spinach usually go with nearly everything. In majority of the recipes I have done in the past, I usually recommend them to be served with creamed spinach. One of my readers requested this recipe and I was more than delighted to share with her, and with all of you :).

Tomato and Mustard Fried Rice

January 30, 2015 / Kaluhi / 10 Comments

One of the things I consider while buying a perfume is how many hours it will still smell long after the first spritz. One of the things I like about my current perfume is the layers of heavenly scents that come alive in one harmonious dance for the entire day. The first layer is a fresh burst of plum and blue berry. As the day goes on, the middle notes hit you with orchid, iris and freesia. And as the day winds down, I smell like amber, vanilla and musk. Beyond perfect! After all, a girl has got to smell great all the time 🙂

Today’s dish is alot like my perfume since the flavors are marvelously layered and you taste each and every ingredient from your first bite, to the time you swallow. The first flavors are those of cumin, chilli and ginger. As you continue, you taste the ginger and the pepper and then finally feel the subtle yet intense mustard and bay leaf flavor. This is what the gods eat! If you are ready for something different, this is for you 🙂