African food is finally getting the recognition it deserves in the world, with dishes from countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda entering the mainstream. Large parts of East Africa have been influenced by many different cultures, resulting in a melting pot of ingredients, flavours and cooking techniques. Dishes are almost always cooked with a vast array of spices, which must be top quality to ensure a strong, pure flavour. Using black pepper ground from whole peppercorns or cinnamon that has been matured for up to twenty years, for example, is key to ensuring East African dishes have the required intensity.
East African cooking tends to focus on grains, slow-cooked stews, curries and dairy, which are (especially in the Horn of Africa) flavoured with a variety of spices and spice mixes, thanks to the Arabian influence from countries like Yemen, Oman and Egypt to the north as well as the Indian connection to the east. But to get a real feel of East African food, a peep into various dishes that are enjoyed in the region’s different countries, will do. Walk with me through some of the East African dishes enjoyed by its people. Shall we?
1. Swahili Pilau
A Swahili dish made by cooking beef with rice and flavoured by aromatic spices can be served with kachumbari (a mix of fresh chopped tomatoes, onions and coriander seasoned with lemon and salt).
2. Nyama Choma
Swahili translation for grilled meat. A very common type of street food eaten in Eastern Africa, usually viewed as a social lubricant and mostly accompanied with a local bottle of beer at social events
3. Mahamri
Gujarat origin, evolved in Africa and now breakfast queen of the East African pots.
4. Zege (Chipsi mayai)
Swahili translation for “chips and eggs”-potato egg omelette. An invention from Dar es Salaam-Tanzania, a new queen of street food.
These are to mention but a few of the Swahili meals. Join Simba ngoma at exploring more of the Swahili cuisines, here in Guernsey. Follow our social media handles to receives updates of food events throughout the year.
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