Aruban Keshi Yena
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao—known as the ABC islands—are Dutch jewels nestled in the Caribbean Sea. A culinary highlight from Aruba and Curaçao is Keshi Yena, a dish with a rich history. Legend has it that slaves created this dish by stuffing the hollowed-out rind of Edam or Gouda cheese with assorted leftovers, turning scraps into a hearty meal.Not a cheese lover? No problem! You can reduce or omit the cheese altogether. The flavorful filling also works beautifully as a sauce—with or without tomatoes—for pasta or pizza.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat*)
- 2 cups diced tomatoes from a can
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 18-24 oz cheese**) sliced
- 4-6 cups cooked rice
- 2 onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 eggs
- oil butter, salt
Keshi Yena Culinary Spice Kit
- Black peppercorn, garlic, onion, chili pepper, oregano, sage
Recommended
- 1 tsp capers
- 1/4 cup green olives sliced
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- (1) In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat.
- Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, meat, Keshi Yena spices, and salt to taste.
- Stir-fry until the meat is crumbled and cooked.
- (2) Add tomatoes and your choice of the recommended ingredients.
- Add salt to taste. Mix well.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Stir occasionally. Set aside.
- (3) Preheat the OVEN to 350°F.
- (4) Grease a non-sticking BAKING DISH or 3-4 BAKING BOWLS with butter.
- Line the bottom and sides of the BAKING DISH completely with overlapping cheese slices.
- (5) In a BOWL, whisk the eggs.
- Stir them into the sauce and pour all into the BAKING DISH.
- Cover completely with cheese slices.
- (6) Bake in the OVEN until the cheese is soft and golden brown.
- Serve keshi yena with rice.
- Optionally, add a fresh salad.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Substitute ground meat with shredded or chopped cooked meat, or (partly) with vegetables, for instance, mushrooms, green beans, or eggplants.
*) Chicken and beef are popular. Veal or pork work as well.
**) Edam, Gouda, Cheddar, or your preferred cheese.
**) Edam, Gouda, Cheddar, or your preferred cheese.