secrets behind swahili dishes of mombasa

Swahili Dishes are a mixture of Arab,Indian and portugese cultures.They consist of some generous amount of spices like cumin,cardamom,cloves,cinnamon,black pepper,chilli peppers,curry leaves,bay leaves,coriander,nutmeg together with a variety of staple food such as rice,ugali,cassava,beans,maize,chapati,mandazi e.t.c. Most of the coastal dishes are prepared with coconut milk. 

Here are some of popular swahili food and snacks you can find in local houses,streets and cafes/restaurants of Mombasa:

1. WALI:

   

   Kabsa

   it's the overall Swahili term referring to varieties of rices such as plain white rice,pilau,biryani,coconut rice,jasmine rice,oriental rice,kabsa,mandi,jollof rice,majboos,maqlooba and the list is endless...These are normally served with curry,condiments,pickles,or eaten plain .
2. UGALI:

   

   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_plate_of_Ugali_with_fish_and_vegetables.jpg

    also known as Sima.It's a combination of maize flour and water,normally  cooked by kinda kneading into a dough-like mixture with a special wooden spoon until it's soft with no lumps.You know it's ready when you can cut it or roll into tiny balls. Ugali is served with curry,fish,meat.spinach,kale,salsa and any desired stew of your choice.
3. CHAPATI:

   

   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lachha-paratha.jpg

   
   these have different names in different places of the world especially India and are so dearly loved and cooked by almost everyone in every house.They are known as paratha,chapati,tortillas,flat rolled bread(mkate wa kusukuma) you name it! They also differ in texture,appearance,aroma and taste depending on the country it's being made.
4. MCHUZI:
   
   it's a generalised name for curry,gravy or stew. Some even call it soup. This is normally served with main dishes or dry food such as rices & breads.
5. MAHARAGE:
   
   these are beans prepared by frying with vegetables and some people like it in coconut milk. It's also served with breads, rice or eaten plain.
6. MBAAZI:

   

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PATVr1wJVUc

   
   famously known as the pigeon peas. They're first boiled then coconut milk is added with desired vegetables, mainly the onion and garlic. It's then simmered to a  thick consistency and it's ready to serve. Tastes best with mandazi.
7. MUHOGO:
   
   it's a starchy root commonly known as cassava. This is a very famous dish in Swahili houses and all over the coastal regions. It can be prepared in tomato sauce, with coconut milk,by frying or grilling as well,goes well with fried fish or any grilled meat and desired condiments.
8. MATOKE/NDIZI MBICHI/NDIZI MBIVU:

   

   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matoke_and_Chicken.jpg

   
    they call them plantains/bananas,and they come in different colors and sizes(categories). Matoke bananas are stir fried with vegetables and spices in tomato sauce. Ndizi mbichi is prepared in coconut sauce with a combination of few vegetables and some people prefer it pounded to a paste consistency while others like it in chunks. Ndizi mbivu are huge sweet bananas cut into pieces then simmered in coconut milk with sugar and cardamoms to add some sweet spicy aroma. Best served as a dessert.
9. MKATE WA UFUTA:

   

   http://www.ourclipart.com/clipart/mkate%20wa%20ufuta/

   
    the fluffy sesame bread. The Traditional way of preparing the batter is by mixing the flour,coconut milk,yeast,yogurt/buttermilk, and salt. It's then pounded by fists/folds and slaps😀 until it's well combined;however,the modern way is by using the mixing machine. Once risen,the batter is spread on a special sticky pan without forgetting to sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of the bread, you'll need to turn the pan upside down. Once golden brown.scrape it out and serve hot with curry/stir fry of your choice. Some people bake them in the oven .
10. MANDAZI:

    

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/pareshjai/3738138649

    
    Popularly known as mahamri,this is everyone's favorite snack. They're either in triangular or circle shape and are found everywhere, from Swahili houses to cafes, to streets. A sweet dough is prepared by mixing flour,yeast,coconut milk/regular milk,sugar,cardamom seeds and some ghee/oil. It's then covered and left to rise. Roll out and cut into desired shapes and cover again to rise, then deep fry to a golden brown color on both sides. Serve hot with tea,curry, mbaazi,beans and so much more..
11. VIBIBI:

    

    https://cookpad.com/in/recipes/3979381-yummy-nyamnyam-rice-pancakes

    
     for the love of pancakes! These are special fluffy Swahili pancakes made from rice and coconut sweet batter. The rice is first soaked overnight, strained, then mixed with coconut milk,eggs,sugar,cardamom seeds, and yeast. It's then blended to a batter and cooked just like the pancakes until golden brown. It's then served either as it is or soaked in thick cooked sweet coconut sauce. It's a dessert to die for!
12. VITUMBUA:

    

    https://cookpad.com/ke/recipes/5936117-vitumbua-local-food-contest-_mombasa

    
     they are sort of sweet dumplings/doughnuts made from rice and coconut milk into a batter. The process is just the same as the vibibi except when it comes to cooking, the procedure is different. Here the special karai used is tiny and fits only a single kitumbua. The batter is put into the greased tiny frying pan until it's golden brown/dark brown, then it's flipped to the other side and served crunchy with tea. However there is a new way of making it using the modern cooking machines and they make different sizes as well!
13. VIAZI VYA NAZI/VYA ROJO:

    

    http://farwat.co.ke/2019/03/23/jinsi-ya-kupika-viazi-vya-nazi/

    
     these are potatoes. 'Viazi vya Nazi' are potatoes sliced and layered into a cooking pot with some onions,tomatoes,spices,coconut milk and salt..it's then simmered until the potatoes are cooked and the consistency is thick. Some people add meat to make it tastier and unique. 'Viazi vya rojo' is a dish prepared  by beginning to boil some cubed potatoes,then the tomato sauce is prepared separately. Firstly,the onions are sautéed to golden brown,then followed by garlic,spices,salt and tomatoes,and later some lemon or tamarind juice to taste. Other optional ingredients are cube stock,tomato paste,herbs and other common vegetables.
14. BOKO BOKO:

    

    http://khanlady.blogspot.com/2012/03/boko-boko-this-dish-made-from-bulgur-or.html

    
     this dish's main ingredient is wheat. First it's soaked overnight,then it's boiled in pressure cooker with some water, meat, onions,garlic,spices and salt to cook thoroughly. Once done,it's pounded to a paste/medium paste consistency,and served with a small Pond of ghee on top. It's then eaten either with sugar, stew, or date chutney. If u want it quick and lazy, you can substitute the wheat grains with crushed oats.
15. SAMAKI:

    

    https://toyourgateexpress.com/product/croaker/

    
     the love for coastal people, the fish! It's prepared in so many ways possible. It can be boiled in soups,cooked in curry, grilled, deep fried, shallow fried, smoked, steamed, it can also be fried then coated with coconut sauce and millions more other ways to make a delicious fish. And it goes well with any dish! Preparation consists of mostly garlic and powdered spice and salt,and you're half way there..

There are many more dishes and snacks to mention but the above are the most common and are hardly missed under Swahili roofs. Do try some of those and be creative in your own kitchen!