Christmas Recipes: Taste of Nyumbani

Preparing dishes and sharing a meal together make us feel at home – and that is a universal concept. Here are 3 Kenyan recipes that can warm up any gathering and particularly this festive season.

Nyama Choma

One of the largely popular holiday dishes in Kenya is Nyama Choma, which is roasted meat. This dish is associated with a warm celebratory cheer and is very easy to make.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef short ribs, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Hot pepper flakes

• Curry powder, to taste

• Turmeric, to taste

• ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped

• Paprika, to taste

• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Combine the lemon juice, garlic and spices into a large glass dish and mix.

2. Coat the short ribs with the mixture.

3. Fire up your Grill. Grill the meat until desired temperature.

Tip:

Get the best of meat for your Nyama Choma from Morendat Meatery located on ground floor. All other spices and herbs are readily available at Chandarana Foodplus.

Matoke

The texture of this dish is similar to mashed potatoes, which serves as an exciting alternative for your holiday dinner. This is the staple food for Kisii people since most homesteads have it for breakfast and eat it daily.

Ingredients

• 3 green bananas/plantain

• 3 cups of water

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 1/2 onion, diced

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons of oil

• Salt & pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Chop the green bananas into 1 - 2″ chunks and slice off the peels.

2. Pour the lemon juice and water into the sufuria. Add the bananas and bring the pot to a boil over the stove until the bananas are soft and ready to be mashed. Once soft, drain and mash.

3. In another pan, sauté the onion and garlic over oil, then add the dry spices.

4. Add the peanut butter and stir continuously. To prevent the sauce from thickening too much, add some water while you’re mixing.

5. Pour the sauce into the mashed matoke and mix.

Tip:

All ingredients to prepare this delish Matoke are available at Chandarana Foodplus. Ask for bananas/plantain at the grocery section.

Creamed spinach

This is a great accompaniment for Nyama Choma and Matoke.

Ingredients

For the cream sauce

• Butter about 50 gms

• 3 tablespoons plain flour

• 1 small onion finely chopped

• 3 cloves of garlic finely minced

• 1 cup milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

• A pinch of nutmeg

For the spinach

• Spinach – enough for 4 people

• 2 tablespoons butter

Preparation

1. In a sauce pan start by making the white sauce. Melt the butter, do this on low heat.

2. Sprinkle over the plain flour and start whisking using a wooden spoon.

3. Cook for five minutes, stirring frequently till golden brown.

4. Add the onions and garlic. Stir together and cook for another minute. Finally add the milk whilst whisking.

5. Cook the sauce for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. It will start to thicken. Now, sauté the spinach.

6. In another sufuria, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the spinach.

7. Back to the sauce, season the sauce with salt and pepper and add the pinch of nutmeg.

8. Now spoon over the sautéed spinach stirring it in gently.

In case you find it a bit too creamy for your liking add more sautéed spinach.

Tip:

Get the best of butter from Chandarana Foodplus.

Whatever festive feast you're cooking this Christmas, eat, drink and be merry with our festive recipes. Remember it's a time to come together with your loved ones and build new memories.