Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Beans and Ugali

Kenyan Sukuma Wiki

Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Beans and Ugali

Kenyan Sukuma Wiki

SpiceBreeze
Sukuma Wiki is a celebration of Kenyan cuisine and culture. Green leaves are cooked with aromatic spices, delivering a delightful and nutritious dish. Sukuma Wiki, meaning "stretch the week," suggesting that this affordable and easy-to-make dish can stretch your meals throughout the week. Try it today and transport your taste buds to East Africa!
Hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Kenyan
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Fresh Produce

  • 1 lb collard greens, kale, or chard cut into 1/2 inch strips
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes chopped
  • 1 lemon for juice

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • oil
  • salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

  • 1 pouch Coriander, green bell pepper, smoked paprika, carrot, onion, tomato, spinach, celery stalk, red bell pepper, chili, cumin, turmeric, garlic, curry leaves, fenugreek, cilantro, ginger, yellow mustard, cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorn

Suggested Sides

  • Ugali(a polenta-like dish) see recipe in notes
  • Rice
  • Beans (kidney or pinto) cooked or fried, see recipe link in notes
  • Chicken or beef (good to use up leftovers) fried or stewed

Instructions
 

Stew - 1. Fry Aroma-Veggies

  • In a large POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Fry the onions until they turn golden brown, stirring frequently.

Stew - 2. Add Spices

  • Add the tomatoes and Sukuma Wiki spices. Mix well.
  • Cook until it turns into a paste-like mixture. Stir frequently.

Stew - 3. Add Main Veggies & Water

  • Add the greens one handful at a time, stirring constantly.
  • Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  • Add 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil.
  • Cover and cook for 15 to 30 minutes, until the greens are tender. Stir occasionally. Add a little water if necessary. Turn off the heat.
  • Add 1-2 tbsp lemon juice and mix well.

Serve

  • Optionally, garnish the plated dish with fresh chopped tomatoes.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Ugali
Making Ugali
Making Ugali
 
  • 1 cup of corn flour
  • salt
  1. In a POT, bring 2 cups of lightly salted water to a boil.
  2. Add corn flour. Reduce heat to low.
  3. Stir constantly, while pressing the mixture to the sides of the POT to remove any lumps.
  4. If there are no more lumps, stop stirring and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  5. Form the mixture into a round shape by bringing together the dough from the sides of the POT to the mixture. Turn the POT over on top of a flat plate
  6. If need be, the ugali can be cut into smaller chunks.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

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Kenyan Kuku Paka

Kenyan Kuku Paka

Kenyan Kuku Paka

Kenyan Kuku Paka

SpiceBreeze
Embark on a culinary adventure in Kenya with Kuku Paka, a tantalizing dish that sets itself apart by an exceptional step: grilling marinated chicken to perfection before they meet a creamy coconut sauce. This unique preparation infuses the succulent chicken with a smoky, charred essence that pairs harmoniously with the rich, aromatic coconut-infused sauce.
Hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Kenyan
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken thighs [1]

Fresh Produce

  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic pressed or grated
  • 1-2 green chili peppers (optional)
  • 1 medium tomato finely chopped

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 1 can coconut milk (14-15 oz)
  • oil
  • salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

  • 1 pouch Orange peel, ginger, turmeric, salt, anardana, amchoor, cumin, black peppercorn, chilies, asafoetida, thyme, mint

Suggested Sides

Instructions
 

Grill - Marinade

  • In a CONTAINER, mix Kuku Paka spices with 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp oil.
  • Season chicken with salt to taste.
  • Add the chicken to the container and coat it well with the marinade.
  • Let it marinate for 1-2 hours.
  • Take chicken out. Shake off excess liquid.
  • Add coconut milk to the container. Set aside.

Grill or Broil

  • Grill or broil the chicken pieces until there are browned on all sides.

Stew - 1. Fry Aroma-Veggies

  • In a large POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat. Fry the onions until they turn golden brown, stirring frequently.
  • Add the garlic and optionally chilies. Fry for 1 minute.
  • Add the tomatoes. Mix well. Cook until it turns into a paste-like mixture. Stir frequently.

Stew - 2. Add Meat & Coconut Milk

  • Add the chicken, coconut milk, and salt & pepper to taste.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 20-30 minutes. Adjust salt & pepper to taste.

Serve

  • Sprinkle the plated dish with lemon juice.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute with chicken tender or breast or white firm fish (e.g. halibut). Cut larger pieces into 2-3 parts.
Ugali recipe: see notes in the Kenyan Sukuma Wiki recipe
Irio Recipe
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
  • 1/3 cup each: frozen green peas and corn kernels
  1. In a POT, bring 1 cup of lightly salted water to a boil.
  2. Add potatoes. Cook until almost tender.
  3. Add green peas. Cook until the potatoes are tender.
  4. Turn the heat off. Drain, but keep about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
  5. Mash the potatoes and peas. Return some of the cooking water as needed.
  6. Add the corn and mix well. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Japanese Tsukune

Japanese Tsukune

Japanese Tsukune

Japanese Tsukune

SpiceBreeze
Japanese tsukune are meatballs coated with a salty-sweet sauce. It's one of the common grilled items served at Japanese yakitori restaurants. This dish is perfect for your next barbecue cook-out or dinner. The meatballs are soft, bouncy, and smooth in texture. Create your minced meat with your desired protein. Optionally, stuff it with vegetables. Finish with a Japanese staple, the shichimi togarashi spice blend.
Stock up culinary spice kits - Limited time only!
Hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground meat chicken, turkey, pork, veal, beef, or mixed
  • 1 egg
  • 4 green onions finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp corn starch or tapioca flour
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • 3 tbsp cooking wine, dry sherry, or mirin
  • 1-2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • oil sesame or vegetable

Tsukune Culinary Spice Kit

  • [shichimi togarashi] Toasted sesame seeds, black & white, hemp seeds, seaweed, orange peel, tangerine peel, ginger, Sichuan peppercorn

Suggested Sides

  • Cooked or steamed rice
  • Cooked or steamed bok choy, green asparagus, zucchini, spinach, or broccoli
  • Fresh salad from cucumber and mung bean sprouts

Instructions
 

Prepare Sauce

  • In a CUP, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp cooking wine, and 1 tbsp sugar. Set aside for later.

Prepare Meatballs: Add the Panade to the Meat

  • In a large BOWL, add meat.
  • Add onions and ginger. Knead until well combined.
  • Add 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 egg, and 1 tbsp starch. Knead until well combined.

Form Meatballs

  • Form balls of about 2 inches in diameter or flat patties.
  • Alternative: Form stuffed sausages [1].

Fry Meatballs

  • In a PAN, fry meatballs over medium heat until they turn brown on all sides.
  • Cover. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Cook meatballs until they are cooked thoroughly.

Coat Meatballs with Sauce

  • Remove lid.
  • Discard any oil or cooking liquid.
  • Push meatballs to the sides.
  • Add sauce in the center.
  • Cook the sauce over low heat until some of the liquid evaporated and the sauce starts to thicken.
  • Slowly, push meatballs back into the center and turn them in the sauce until all are evenly coated with a shiny glaze.

Serve

  • Serve the meatballs with your preferred sides.
  • Sprinkle with Tsukune spices.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Stock up culinary spice kits - Limited time only!

Get Shichimi Togarashi Now
Grill: Form balls or small sausages of about 1 inch in diameter and thread them onto skewers. Baste them with the sauce and grill them on both sides.
Noodles: Triple the sauce and add cooked wide noodles in the last step to the PAN.
[1] Stuffed: Add cooked green beans and carrot sticks and form meat sausages around them.
Japanese Tsukune stuffed
Japanese Tsukune stuffed
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

French Boeuf aux Quatre Épices

French Bœuf aux Quatre Épices

Boeuf aux Quatre Épices

Hearty Winter Stew

European cuisine has an interesting range of hearty stews to survive the cold season. Enjoy the deep flavor in French Bœuf aux Quatre Épices. Choose the main recipe for a beef stew  or one of its variations.

Quatre Épices

Quatre Épices or “four spices” is a French staple blend with white pepper in a prominent role. Quatre Épices is used to season hearty stews and soups, or braised root vegetables. 

The Star: White Pepper

Black and white pepper derive from the same plant but have different flavors and heat profiles. They are harvested at different stages. In the next step, to receive the white pepper, the skin is removed from the pepper berry.

White and black pepper
Variations
  • Substitute beef with lamb or rabbit.
  • Substitute 1-2 cups of broth with red wine.
  • In  the end, stir 1/2 to 1 cup of heavy cream into the sauce, and bring it to a boil. Adjust salt.
  • Instead of the heavy cream, top your plated meal with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Crème Fraîche
Recent find of Crème Fraîche at Trader Joe's. Any other brand works too.
Vegetarian Version

For a vegetarian version, make the following changes to the recipe:

Step (1) – Add 1 lb mushrooms.

Step (2) – Skip this step.

Step (4) – 1 tbsp flour is enough for this version.

Step (5) – Use not more than 2 cups of broth.

Step (7) – Cooks fast in only 30 minutes.

The Bœuf aux Quatre Épices Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

White pepper, cloves, ginger, nutmeg

fresh carrots and boiling onions for winter stew

Fresh carrots and small onions cook for three hours in this stew. Use shallots or beautiful boiling onions.

Boeuf aux Quatre Épices

French Bœuf aux Quatre Épices

SpiceBreeze
Quatre Épices or "four spices" is a French staple blend with white pepper in a prominent role. Black and white pepper derive from the same plant but have different flavors and heat profiles. They are harvested at different stages. In the next step, to receive the white pepper, the skin is removed from the pepper berry. Quatre Épices is used to season hearty stews and soups, or braised root vegetables. This recipe is for a French-style beef stew or one of its variations.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.25 lb beef stew
  • 7 oz bacon

Produce

  • 5 carrots cut into 1-inch slices
  • 10 small shallots peeled
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled, crushed

Dairy

  • 4 tbsp butter

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 5 cups beef or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • salt

Bœuf aux Quatre Épices Culinary Spice Kit

  • white pepper, cloves, ginger, nutmeg

Suggested sides

  • potato croquettes or dumplings, boiled or mashed potatoes, gnocchi, or thick noodles of your choice
  • lettuce or cucumber salad with a light lemon dressing

Instructions
 

  • In a large POT, melt the butter.
  • Add the onions whole and the bacon.
  • Cook over medium-low heat until golden, stirring constantly.
    Scoop them out and set aside.
  • In the same POT, cook the meat over high heat until it turns brown, stirring frequently.
  • Add the carrots and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Sprinkle the meat with flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  • Add the broth, mix, and scrape the bottom. Return the bacon and onions.
  • Add the tomato paste, garlic, and Quatre Épices spices. Season with salt to taste. Mix well.
  • Bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Vegetarian (optional)

  • Add 1 lb mushrooms with the onions.
  • 1 tbsp flour is enough for this version.
  • Use not more than 2 cups of broth.
  • Cooks fast in only 30 minutes

Notes

Optional/ Variations
▪ Substitute beef with lamb or rabbit.
▪ Substitute 1-2 cups of broth with red wine. 
▪ In the end, stir 1/2 to 1 cup of heavy cream into the sauce, and bring it to a boil. Adjust salt.
▪ Instead of the heavy cream, top your plated meal with a dollop crème fraîche.
Cuban Vaca Frita

Cuban Vaca Frita

Cuban Vaca Frita

Viva Vaca Frita

This popular Cuban dish is fresh and juicy. Vaca Frita is very easy to cook. Though it takes some patience.

The Secret is Cooking

The key to Vaca Frita or “fried beef” is slow cooked beef the Cuban way. Quick frying is the second and last step in the preparation.

Good for Two Different Dishes

Our tip: After cooking the meat, keep the cooking water. It’s a delicious broth that you can use to make another dinner. Peel and cut potatoes and root vegetables into the same size: either 1/4 inch for fast cooking or 1 inch for fast cutting. Cook them in the broth to create a Cuban style soup.

Variations
  • Substitute beef with chicken breast.
  • Vaca Frita with Mojo Sauce (see recipe below).
  • Add traditional black beans and fried plantains to the dish (see recipe below).
The Vaca Frita Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Cumin, orange peel, ancho chili, oregano

Cuban Vaca Frita
Vaca Frita Pizza
Cuban Vaca Frita

Cuban Vaca Frita

SpiceBreeze
This popular Cuban dish is fresh and juicy. It is very easy to cook, though it takes some patience. The key to vaca frita or "fried beef" is slow-cooked beef the Cuban way. You can prepare this step in advance. Quick frying is the second and last step in the preparation.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.25 lb brisket or skirt steak [1]

Fresh Produce - For Soup

  • 1 green bell pepper quartered
  • 1 large onion quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic halved

Fresh Produce - For Frying

  • 1 green bell pepper halved & sliced
  • 1 large onion halved & sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 limes or lemons for juice

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Vaca Frita Culinary Spice Kit

  • Cumin, orange peel, ancho chili, oregano

Suggested Sides

  • cooked rice
  • a fresh salad
  • black beans see notes [4] for recipe
  • fried plantains see notes [5] for recipe

Instructions
 

Soup - Cook Meat

  • In a POT, add meat, the quartered bell pepper, onion, garlic, and salt to taste.
  • Cover with water. Close and bring to a boil.
  • Turn heat to low. Cook at least for 2 hours until the meat starts to fall apart.

Prepare - Shred Meat

  • Take the meat out.
  • Tip: Keep the broth in the fridge and use within a week.
  • Shred the meat into 1/2-inch thick chunks. Set aside.

Fry - Fry Vegetables

  • If cooking variation [3]: Fry onions and bell peppers separately. 
  • In a PAN, heat 1/2 cup of oil over medium heat.
  • Fry sliced bell pepper and onion with a pinch of salt until the onions are translucent.
  • Scoop the vegetables out. Set aside.
  • Keep the remaining oil in the PAN.

Fry - Fry Meat

  • In the same PAN, add meat chunks, chopped garlic, and Vaca Frita spices.
  • Fry over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes until the meat is golden brown but not crisp.

Finish - For Variations [4]

  • If cooking variation [3]: Return only the bell peppers to the PAN and don't use lime juice. 
  • Return the fried vegetables to the PAN to reheat. [2]
  • Turn off. Add 2-3 tbsp lime juice and salt & pepper to taste.

If Cooking Variation [3]: Mix the Mojo Sauce

  • In a BOWL, add fried onions and season with lime juice and (optionally) chili or chipotle to taste.

Serve

  • If cooking variation [3]: Top plated meat with Mojo sauce. 
  • Serve with your preferred sides.
  • Optionally, add more lime juice.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute beef with chicken thighs. 
[2] Optionally, add up to 1 cup of the broth.

[3] Recipe changes for variation with Mojo Sauce (spiced fried onions):

  • [3.1] Fry onions and bell peppers separately.
  • [3.2] Return only the bell peppers to the PAN and don't use lime juice.
  • [3.3] Mix the Mojo Sauce: In a BOWL, add fried onions and season with lime juice and (optionally) chili or chipotle to taste.
  • [3.4] Top with Mojo sauce.

[4] Black Beans side

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Add 1 can black beans (rinsed).
  • Season to taste with salt, cumin, and black pepper.
  • Fry beans for a couple of minutes.
  • Add 1/2 cup of the broth.
  • Cover the POT and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.

[5] Fried Plantains side

  • Peel 2-3 plantains and cut them into 1/2 inch slices.
  • In a PAN, heat 1/4 cup of oil over medium heat.
  • Fry plantain slices until they turn golden on both sides.
  • Season with salt to taste.
Indian Pumpkin Sambar

Indian Pumpkin Sambar

Indian Pumpkin Sambar

Indian Pumpkin Sambar

SpiceBreeze
Sambar is an Indian stew abundant in hearty pulses and seasonal vegetables, with a bright tart flavor from tamarind. A staple in South Indian cuisine, it is simple, gluten free, and can be plant-based - or not - with each family having their own creative spin on ingredients.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 2-3 cups cooked yellow pigeon peas [1]

Produce

  • 1 large onion halved and sliced
  • 12 oz pumpkin [2] cut into about 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tomato chopped

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 2 cups broth vegetarian or chicken
  • vegetable oil or ghee
  • salt & pepper

Pumpkin Sambar Culinary Spice Kit

  • Tamarind, coriander, cumin, black mustard, turmeric, fenugreek, asafoetida

Optional

  • chili pepper
  • lemon juice
  • sweetener of your choice
  • 1-2 cups cooked shredded chicken or thinly sliced mild sausages

Suggested Sides (See also Serving Suggestions)

  • 2-4 cups cooked rice basmati recommended
  • bread slices
  • noodles of your choice

Instructions
 

Soup - Fry Aroma Veggies

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil.
  • Fry onions over medium-low heat until they turn translucent.

Soup - Cook Veggies

  • Careful of splatters, add pumpkin [2], tomato, broth, and Sambar spices.
  • Add salt, pepper, and chili (opt.) to taste.
  • Cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Cook until the pumpkin is almost cooked.

Soup - Add Pulses

  • Add 2 cups cooked pigeon peas. If you like the soup richer, add more.
  • Adjust salt & pepper to taste. Mix well.
  • Cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Continue to cook until the pumpkin is tender.

Soup - Finishing

  • Adjust sour- or sweetness to taste.

Soup - Toppings

  • Optionally, top with cooked shredded chicken or thinly sliced mild sausages.

Serving Suggestions

  • Add rice to taste into your soup or eat soup with some slices of bread.
  • Alternative: Add small noodles into your soup or pour soup over long noodles.

Notes

[1] Substitute pigeon peas with yellow or red split lentils.
[2] Substitute pumpkin with (sweet) potatoes, cauliflower, root vegetables, or green beans, or a mix of it.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity