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Main Dishes

Crispy Fried Masala Fish

This recipe has been passed down for generations in my paternal family and was taught to me by an aunt in Narowal, Pakistan.…

Snacks/ Starters

Chicken & Sweetcorn bake

This recipe is a cross between East and West brought to our palate by one of my mum’s friends in the UK.  Every 27th night of Ramadan, aunty would…

Snacks

Namak Paray (Popat)

When we were growing up in Kenya, our mothers took pride in feeding us and our guests homemade snacks.  Popat as my mum called these, were one of the…

Desserts

Nankhatai

This tea-time snack is a cross between a crumbly biscuit/cookie and cake, a good nankhatai is one that crumbles on the tongue, sweet but not too sweet.  This recipe…

Breads

Mahambri

This is a Kenyan coastal/Swahili fried bread.  A true mahambri has to be hollow on the inside for stuffing, slightly crunchy on the outside and not too sweet.  It’s…

Main Dishes

Kuku Paka (Chicken in coconut sauce)

This dish is synonymous with Mombasa – Kenya, it is cooked in many homes by many women and sometimes men, but as with all popular dishes the recipe changes…

Accompaniments

Lime Pickle (Mombasa Style)

This was made popular within our family by one of my aunt’s in Kenya. It has no oil and yet can be stored in the refrigerator. The…

Starters

Makai Paka (Corn cobs in coconut sauce)

This dish has connections to the happy years I spent in Mombasa and memories of any and every dish having some ‘tui’ coconut milk added to it. There is…

Starters

Maru’s Bhajia (of Nairobi fame!)

I remember going to River Road with my grandmother especially for a plate of Maru’s (the owner’s name) Bhajia, they would be served freshly fried, with two chutneys, one…

Main Dishes

Fish Yoghurt Curry (fish kadee)

This is a very innovative recipe shared with me by my sister-in-law in the USA. The yoghurt and fish go together to create a yummy saucy curry!…

Main Dishes

Leg of Lamb Roast

Contrary to popular belief, we do Roasts including Leg of Lamb. As we enjoy the flavour of spices and garlic, we include these in our roasts. Here…

Starters

Masala Chips

I think very fondly of Totem Kiosk in Nakuru where I learnt how to make this unusual chips recipe.…

Accompaniments

Carrot Pickle

This is one of the most commonly served accompaniments with rice and vegetarian dishes in mosques especially in East Africa.…

Starters

Cassava/Potato chaat

This is a lovely chaat made either with cassava (mogo) or boiled potatoes and brought together with tamarind chutney.…

Starters

Papri Chaat

This is a lovely refreshing chaat that binds unusual ingredients together with yoghurt and tamarind.…

Accompaniments

Chutney Apple/mango

This chutney goes well with a lot of dry snacks and starters but especially with the Dokhra and Kebabs.…

Starters

Chops with Tomato puree

This dish can be served as a starter or as a main with naan bread or French bread.…

Accompaniments

Green Chutney

This is a really good mixture of mainly green ingredients and works very well as a dip or accompaniment.…

Accompaniments

Tamarind Chutney

As with a majority of recipes on this website, there is more than one way of making this chutney. This is a recipe from my sister-in-law in Pakistan…

Desserts

Bread Halwa

When we were growing up in Kenya, my mum was always finding innovative ways to use up leftovers. She often made this halwa with left-over bread and thick…

Accompaniments

Yoghurt Chutney

An easy to make chutney which is perfect to serve with, starters, snacks and bbqs.…

Desserts

Pineapple Pudding

This was served at a dinner by my family in USA, it is a simple but delicious dessert.…

Desserts

Falooda

This is a very popular milk based refreshing milkshake dessert contain a variety of different flavours. The version served in East African restaurants differs from the one served…

Accompaniments

Cucumber Raita

A raita is a dish made with yoghurt. Different items like onion, cucumber, baked aubergine, par-boiled marrow or bundi (see below) can be added. This one is with cucumber,…

Accompaniments

Coconut Chutney

This chutney is really good with any coconut based dish and with roast chicken. This version originates from Mombasa, Kenya where I learnt to make it when I…

Accompaniments

Tomato Salsa

This was introduced to us by an aunty in Nairobi who was very innovative in the kitchen.…

Main Dishes

Pilli Pilli (Piri Piri) Chicken

Pilli Pilli means chillies in Kiswahili! in other parts of the World this dish is called Piri Piri chicken! This recipe is a mixture of two recipes, one…

Breads

Plain puris

Puris are made with unleavened flour and there is an art to get them right. The best puris I have ever had were made for us in Nakuru…

Main Dishes

Chicken/Lamb Curry

I would have to begin with the most popular curry in the UK. This is a standard recipe but how it turns out will depend on the authenticity…

Rice

Chicken Khao – Rice

This recipe is made as a main meal in memon homes in Kenya and was made and demonstrated for me by my cousin who works with me.…

Starters

Fish Kebabs

This is a simple recipe, perfect as a starter, ideal for picnics and excellent as a sandwich filling. It was passed on to me by a Khoji friend…

Rice

Shahjehani Pilao

Shahjehan was an Indian Moghul Emperor and the rich and intense cuisine is accurately depicted in this lovely rice and boneless chicken dish, served with plenty of freshly chopped…

Main Dishes

Fish Maryam Masala

This is a recipe that has been in our family in Pakistan and Kenya for quite sometime and has evolved over the years. This is a straightforward version…

Rice

Chicken Biryani (Kenyan Style)

Biryanis are really a meal in one and usually eaten with a full fat plain yoghurt and a good mixed salad. There are many recipes for this very…

Main Dishes

Fish Karahi

A friend who originates from Kenya shared her family recipe with me during one Ramadan (Annual Muslim month of fasting). I have re-created it and made it many…

Rice

Kofta and Chana Pilao

This is another recipe that just was created with ’left-overs’ but I have regularly made it and family and guests do enjoy it.…