Category: Food
Recipe Of The Week: Ndizi Na Nyama / Katogo
Plantains are one of those foods we probably required slapped down our throats when we were younger. As a child, I could never reconcile with the taste of plantains. They were from hell! Needless to say, I love them now. Today we shall be cooking plantains, with meat. To cook this, you will need a cup … read more
Kiss The Cook!
By ChicaMod Editor I’ve heard it told that there is nothing as sexy as a man who cooks. Ladies will most inadvertently fall –no questions asked- for the man who can, quite literally, stir things up in the kitchen. I’ve heard ladies say, amid giggles, “Damn, I’d definitely give anything to a man in an apron.” Or, … read more
Ugali, Githeri, Grill, Salad, Porridge Getting The Most Out Of Your Maize
By ChicaMod Editor Maize -or corn as it is known in other places- is a staple food in many parts of East Africa. Maize is usually prepared as githeri whereby it is mixed with beans and cooked with tomatoes and onions, as porridge, or as a cake-like mush known as ugali. However, maize can also be grilled, creamed and used in salads. … read more
Tamarind Juice
By ChicaMod Editor The tamarind is a bittersweet –mostly bitter-seed pod that is native to the African continent but is now grown widely in the world’s tropics. It is chocolate-coloured, acidic, and is eaten fresh or cooked. Today we shall make Tamarind juice, and maybe tomorrow we shall make tamarind curry and chutney. For tamarind … read more
Mshikaki! – Skewers Dribbling Juice
Nothing says vacation-time better than skewers dribbling juice all over your white linen pants. Mshikaki says kick off your sandals, put down the sunglasses and let the succulent cubes of meat shrink between your teeth! You will need some ginger, garlic, tomato, tamarind paste, curry powder, oil, water, black pepper and salt. You also need … read more
Palm Oil: A Distinctive Colour and Taste to Soups and Stews – Could it Be Africa’s Answer to Olive Oil?
By ChicaMod Editor I just finished reading a short story by one of my favourite African writers. In the story, palm oil was mentioned a lot; a child was murdered by soldiers, but the child’s mother kept hoping that the stains on his shirt were nothing but splotches of palm wine. Palm oil is found … read more
Wild about Mangos!
I’ve heard someone question the authenticity of another’s Africanness purely by the fact of his dislike for mango. “You hate mangos? And you call yourself African?” Today’s recipe originates in Central Africa, and we shall be breaking apart –quite literally- the mango. We shall be making beef in wild mango kernel sauce. You will need … read more
How Much Do You Love Peanut Sauce?
I know people who live, eat and sleep peanuts, so this recipe would definitely be a treat for them. If you are one of those incurable peanut junkies, then cheer up; we are cooking some peanuts today! You will need cassava leaves, but practically any vegetables will do. you will also need some palm oil … read more
Recipe of the Week: Oxtail Stew
Many would grimace at the thought of saving certain parts of slaughtered cattle, yet these parts can make some of the most pleasant of culinary surprises. Take oxtail for example. It basically comprises the tail of cattle, used especially to make soups/stews. So wipe that grimace off your face and let us get experimenting. Today, … read more
Recipe of the Week: Grilled Tilapia!
By ChicaMod Editor In Kenya, the nilotic Luo tribe which lives on the shores of Lake Victoria and who traditionally practiced fishing as their sole socioeconomic activity are said to account for most of the fish consumption in Kenya. The Luo don’t just love fish; they adore it. They fall to their knees before the … read more
Bring in the Good Luck – Stew of Black Eyed Peas (Kunde)
By ChicaMod Editor A few friends have confided in me that each new year, make sure to cook black eyed peas(Kunde in Swahili) for good luck! So we are letting you in on the secret as well. To get your black eyed peas going,you will need cooking oil, onions, tomatoes, black eyed peas, peanut butter, water, … read more
Recipe of the Week: Chicken Curry
By ChicaMod Editor You will need two kgs of skinned chopped chicken, three cups of water, white pepper, salt, onion, vegetable oil, tomatoes, garam masala, coriander, black pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, cumin and garlic cloves. In a bowl, place the chopped chicken pieces. Rub salt, pepper and garlic into them, then transfer them … read more
Taste Awards 2011: Nairobi’s First Bar and Restaurant Awards – The Winners!
By ChicaMod.com One and all had a say in the Taste Awards, Nairobi’s first bar and restaurant awards. This year’s event took place at the Tribe Hotel on the 1st of December 2011. Awards were graded in two groups: the prestige awards, granted by the judging panel. Some of the award categories included: MasterCard Award … read more
Beginner’s Community Cooking Course
The Blues Café at Usa River in Arusha shall be offering a beginner’s community cooking course from the 15th of November through to the 9th of December 2011. This community cooking course is the first of its kind in Usa River. It shall be offered in the Riverblues Catering Kitchen, with the aim of giving … read more
Chocolate High! – To all My Chocolate Lovers, A Few Facts!
By ChicaMod Editor It’s the most recognizable face of romance, a Valentine’s Day staple food. Most of the world’s chocolate is produced in Africa, in an industry where child labour is rife. Perhaps the greatest irony of this symbol of love is that, like the blood diamonds, it is stained with blood and tears. … read more
Recipe of the Week: Injera
By ChicaMod Editor In Nairobi, injera is mainly a preserve of Ethiopian restaurants like Habesha. However, when you move towards the north eastern part of the country, you find that injera becomes somewhat of a staple among the ethnic Cushitic people that inhabit the area. In North Eastern Kenya, Injera is eaten for breakfast with camel … read more
Recipe of the Week: Samosa
I bet you’ll suffer an instant craving for this finger-licking dish, just by looking over the recipe. It has Indian roots, and is eaten as an appetizer, snack, or main meal. It comprises meat or vegetables tucked inside pockets of patty. Here’s how to make a meat samosa. To make a vegetable samosa, just substitute … read more
Recipe of the Week:Sukuma Wiki Curveball
Editor, ChicaMod.com Sukuma Wiki is a type of kale popular in East Africa. The name Sukuma Wiki literally translates to ‘push the week’. Theories as to the etymology of this could be that the kale is an abundant and relatively cheap vitamin source and thus suitable to cordon off the hunger pangs even when one is deep … read more
Bodaboda – Exceptionality at it’s Best
By ChicaMod.com Talk about exceptionality Bodaboda sums it all up. Located in Kampala, Garden City Roof Top, Bodaboda is a vibrant eclectic entertainment spot tailored to reflect the finer things in life. Bodaboda is a restaurant/ lounge providing a wide range of services to different audiences. The amenities include: an outdoor sitting area, bar and lounge – Bunker … read more
Kachumbari
By Claudette Oduor I guess most of us do appreciate the taste and flavor of Kachumbari. Believe me,those of you who have not tried it,this is some yummy and easy stuff to prepare. You’ll need the white variety of onion that’s best for vegetable salads. Find these at the vegetable section of your local Nakumatt, or at … read more