Tag: kenyan food (Page 9 of 14)

Garlic & Cumin Matoke

November 3, 2015 / Kaluhi / 18 Comments

Besides potatoes, we almost always have matoke in our house. Every weekend, my dad collects a package form Maragoli delivering traditional veggies such as kunde, mto and mrenda, fresh peas and beans and almost always, matoke. The matoke are usually wrapped in some banana leaves to preserve their freshness. They are usually a bit dewy by the time they get to Nairobi but beaming with the bountifulness and greenness of the emerald rolling Maragoli hills.

Because we have a constant supply of one ingredient means we have to create different ways of making one thing. One of one of the most mellow matoke recipes is my garlic and cumin matoke. It is so easy and unleashes one hell of a party on your taste buds. #MUSTTRY

Garlic Chicken Strips in Coconut Sauce

October 23, 2015 / Kaluhi / 44 Comments

Food unrelated news: I decided to start exercising. For those who know me, they know I am pretty tiny (by Kenyan Standards) but truth be told, I am so unfit. As I am growing older, I feel it is so important to keep my body in the best state, even if I do not gain weight that easily. It has nothing to do with weight, but more to do with simply staying fit. I have been doing core work outs and I feel so sore but soooo good! Goal: These abs. And judging by the way I am going so far, this is within reach. I just hope I won’t give get bored along the way LOL

Anyway, back to business. For today, something rich and savory. This Garlic Chicken Strips in Coconut Sauce is one of those meals you can whip up in just a few minutes but have everyone blown away by how beautifully layered the flavors are.

Chicken Mshikaki with Sticky Honey Sauce

October 20, 2015 / Kaluhi / 6 Comments

I owe nearly all of my best childhood memories to growing up in Langata. Even now, living in a different part of town, I remember my days in Langata with so much nostalgia. I particularly remember how everyone seemed to come out of their houses in the evening once the hot sun has gone down and the streets are bustling with activity. Under the light of street lamps, a sea of street vendors would litter the walk ways with the hope of walking away with their wallet much fuller than when they arrived. From the soft negotiations between gentlemen selling clothes and their buyers, to aroma of fried tilapia of the ever vivacious ladies selling fish, to people from work in their power suits vigorously rubbing lemon and chilli on their roast maize, to smoke illuminated by the soft dusk light rising from the Mutura grills, Langata really did come to life at sunset. My favorite street food had always been, and still is, Mshikaki.

Today I decided to take my all time fave street food, originally a Kenyan coast delicacy, and transform it into a real feast. My chicken mshikaki with sticky honey sauce will take you to the moon and back!

Creamy Honey Uji

October 9, 2015 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

In high school, Saturday morning breakfast was uji. Yes, uji for saturday. In as much as you don’t really wanna have some, you have no option, so you fill your tummy with some. Not that I hate it, i just found it bland since it was maize flour porridge and I am used to sorghum porrige. The later is richer in flavor, has more nutritional content compared to the former.

The first time I tried making uji, I made ugali instead. The second time I made uji, it was too light. #DoubleFail. I knew that I had to balance my water/flour ration coz that was where the problem lay each time. Once I got that balance right, I began experimenting with ways to make this phenomenal dish even better. Healthy does not have to be boring.

Are you ready for this? :))

Wali Wa Nazi With Whole Cumin Seeds

September 15, 2015 / Kaluhi / 12 Comments

I made this at the spur of the moment after my youngest sister’s complaints that she needs to eat unique delicious food before she returned to college for the beginning of the next semester. LOL There were plenty of accompaniment dishes in the fridge but no main so I decided to play around with a recipe I have been thinking about for some time now. My wali wa nazi turned out great! My other sister’s boyfriend, Kipngetich, was also around during this day and was able to join us for lunch. He loved it.

Wali wa nazi simply means coconut rice. It is a coastal favorite and I decided to add my own twist to it. If my picky little sister enjoyed this, then you, without doubt, shall too :)).

Broccoli and Pea Cabbage Stir Fry

July 17, 2015 / Kaluhi / 10 Comments

We all have those meals we just do not feel drawn to, for no particular reason. I am not a big fan of cabbage, unless it is cooked in a certain specific way. It takes a short time to cook, and that makes it very easy to over cook. Alot of the times I have had it in various places in Nairobi, it is overcooked. And where there is a problem, that is a chance for you to step in and make that dish to be fantastic. That makes cooking exciting.

Cabbage is a very healthy vegetable and I like adding more character to it to make it more wholesome. Today’s cabbage stir fry is one my mom developed. I did not change/add anything because I felt it was just perfect as mom made it. I liked it so much and decided to share the recipe with you. I have a feeling you will like it just as much 🙂

Pea and Potato Stew

June 30, 2015 / Kaluhi / 38 Comments

Potato stew is rather common in Kenya. Probablly because you can throw in various ingredients and having them cook all at once. This saves plenty of time. Unfortunately for most, this meal falls short of flavor. But in our home, we have found a way to have this taste great all the time. After years of tweaking my mum’s recipe, we finally settled on the best potato stew.

I shared this picture on Instagram and Face book a while back and it received quite a nice reception. I decided to share our family recipe today and I know you will like it. Regardless of what you make, no matter how basic, never ever compromise on how it tastes and looks. For today: Pea and Potato Stew