Try Out The Following Savory Swahili Cuisines

As someone who has a very curious palate I can for sure ascertain that the preparation of Swahili dishes is an art and an intricate piece of culture that distinguishes the Coastal Kitchen Culture from the rest of Kenya. The delicacies are prepared with one intention: to tantalize your taste buds.

As a Kenyan who really enjoys various cuisines from all over the country, I find the Swahili dishes very specific in their flavors, aromas, and visual appeal. Spice is what defines Swahili delicacies.

Here are the top five Swahili dishes you might enjoy sampling out…

1. Pilau

Every Kenya ceremony is usually crowned with pilau. Pilau is also served in typical Swahili restaurants. You can find it in other hotels but if you are particular about the right flavors and distinct aroma of every spice used, then you better try it out in a Swahili restaurant.

Pilau is rice, simmered in broth,  fried pieces of meat, potatoes, onions, tomato paste, ginger, garlic, special pilau masala, cumin, cinnamon, and other spices. It is a highly spicy dish.

Vegans can opt for Vegetable pilau with green peas replacing the pieces of meat and the flavors will still be intact.

You can enjoy pilau with Kachumbari salad and a tall glass of chilled fresh juice.

1. Mchuzi Wa Pweza

This is one popular delicacy, especially for men, so they say. Octopus soup is a special delicacy in the entire coastal region, not just in Kenya.  

This piqued my curiosity and when I tasted the thick load of flavor, it was heavenly. The preparation is everything and you can only eat octopus soup in a credible restaurant as you will be advised by your travel agent. 

I wouldn’t mind feedback from a man who has tried it…

1. Beef Biryani Rojo

I could say this is to the Kenyan Coast what Jollof Rice is to West Africa. People go to Mombasa  just to taste biryani. What attracted me was the mastered yellow grains of rice with dashes of green coriander. I found it hard to devour that plate of beauty.

Be sure to order Biryani, served with a special sauce that can only be prepared very well by a Swahili chef.

1. Mahamri/ Chapati With Coconut Mbaazi

Mahamri is specially deep-fried spiced dough, with an extra touch of cardamons and mbaazi is cowpeas cooked in coconut milk. Well-prepared mbaazi in coconut milk is a heavenly scoop of thick and creamy sweetness. 

You dip the mahamri in the creamy coconut thickness and savor it. For me, it was the popping of cowpeas escorted by the aroma of cardamons at the back of the mouth.

You can enjoy mahamri with the mixed spicey Kenyan white tea too on a chilly morning or evening.

1. Viazi Karai/ Bhajias With Tamarind Sauce

These pieces of hot magic can make a cloudy boring day very bright. It’s always the crunch when teeth sink in. These spiced potatoes, coated with colored and spiced wheat flour paste, are my favorite snack. Tamarind sauce also known as Ukwaju, adds tanginess to the crunchy pieces.

These can be a meal accompanied by grilled fresh fish filets or chicken.

 These are just too five of my favorite Swahili delicacies. In a typical Swahili restaurant, you have a chance to taste various creative combinations and you will realize that even the simplest of delicacies will leave your taste buds exploding with a desire for more.

Five Quick Recipe Hacks of Swahili delicacies.

If you like cooking for yourself, here are a few simple recipes for the Swahili dishes you can easily prepare while camping or in an Airbnb. 

How to cook Pilau

Ingredients 

Rice, meat, oil, potatoes, garlic, ginger, cumin, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, red onions, broth.

Recipe

1. In a large non-stick pot, add oil, meat, and chopped onions. Fry till onions turn brown.
2. Add the garlic and ginger paste
3.  Add whole potatoes
4. Add pilau masala mix.
5. Add rice, mix then add broth.
6. Cook at low heat.

▶ Served with kachumbari, salad, and pili pili sauce(Swahili)

How to cook Beef Biryani Rojo

Ingredients

Boneless beef, Garlic, ginger ,biryani spice blend, stock , vegetable oil, tomato paste , plain yoghurt, food color, biryani rice potatoes red onions.

 Recipe

A). Beef biryani rojo

1. Deep fry round chopped red onions the allow cooling
2. Deep fry whole boiled potatoes, and set aside.
3. Boil beef together with ginger and garlic until all water is drained.
4. Fry with oil till brown then add fresh onions, and simmer.
5. Add tomato paste, and simmer
6. Add the fried potatoes then add the plain yogurt and allow to simmer
7. Finish with fried onions and seasoning to taste.

 B). Biryani rice

1.  Rinse the rice
2. Boil on high heat then allows it to steam on low heat
3. Add the different types of food colors.

▶ Serve while hot

▶ Prepared mostly in Swahili wedding ceremonies.

How to cook Viazi Karai 

Ingredients

Flour, chili powder, cooking oil, salt, tomato sauce, ukwaju, and bell pepper.

Recipes

1. Peel potatoes then boil in garlic and mixed spices powder for ten minutes.  
2. Prepare paste( water, flour, chili powder and salt)  
3. Cut potatoes into round shapes then mix in the paste.  
4. Heat the cooking oil.  
5. Deep fry

▶ Serve while hot.

▶ Served with: tomato sauce, ukwaju sauce, pili pili sauce

The beauty of Kenyan dishes lies in the diversity and originality of their preparations. Keep checking for more cuisines from other parts of the country.

WRITER:  Emily Wekulo