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Showing posts from March, 2009

Bur Kiliyoow

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This perfect afternoon snack was adapted from Barlin Ali's wonderful book Somali Cuisine . 1 c. warm water 3 Tbsps. flour 1 1/2 Tbsps. yeast (I used fast acting yeast and it was ok.) 2 c. flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 c. oil or melted butter 3 Tbsps. warm water salt to taste oil for frying 1. In a bowl, mix the warm water with the yeast and 3 Tbsp. flour; cover and set aside in a warm area. 2. Combine all the ingredients including the yeast mixture and knead to form a smooth dough; cover and let rise until doubled in size. 3. Cut into balls of about 3 inches in diameter. 4. Roll out until eat ball is about 1/4 inch thick. 5. Cut into 3 equal pieces. 6. Fry until golden.

Broccoli and Zucchini Sabayah

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This is the perfect way to sneak veggies into your child's meal. 2 cups white flour 1/2 c. brocoli; cooked and finely chopped 1c. shredded zucchini 2 tsp. garlic 1/2 ts. salt 3/4 cup water oil or melted butter for brushing on the dough during folding 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; mix to form a dough. 2. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 15 minutes. (Add more flour if too sticky.) 3. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour. (The longer it sits, the easier it is to roll.) 4. Knead for 2 minutes and then divide into 4 pieces. 5. Lightly coat each piece in flour and flatten slightly. 6. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is very thin; brush with oil. 7. Fold (see pics) and set aside. 8. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is about 1/4 inch thick. 9. Preheat a skillet over low heat and brush with oil. 10. Place one sabaya in the pan and cook for 30 seconds. 11. Brush with oil and then flip. 12. Gently press down the sabaya so that it cooks evenly

Maraq Digir (Bean Stew) and Muuffo

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This very simple bean recipe was adapted from Barlin Ali's wonderful cookbook called Somali Cuisine . 3 Tbsps. olive oil 1 med. onion; chopped 1 can red kidney beans (drain and rince) 1 can of tomato sauce 1 chili; chopped 1 ts. garlic; minced 4 basil leaves; chopped (about 3 Tbsps.) 1. Heat the oil in a pot; add the onions and cook until translucent. 2. Add the tomato sauce, chili, garlic, and basil; cover and simmer for 8 minutes. 3. Add the beans and simmer on low for 5 minutes. 4. Remove from heat and serve with muuffo.

Apricot Sabayah

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2 cups white flour 1/4 c. dried appricots; soaked for an hour and chopped 1/3 c. sugar 1/4 ts. salt 3/4 cup water oil or melted butter for brushing on the dough during folding 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; mix to form a dough. 2. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 15 minutes. (Add more flour if too sticky.) 3. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour. (The longer it sits, the easier it is to roll.) 4. Knead for 2 minutes and then divide into 4 pieces. 5. Lightly coat each piece in flour and flatten slightly. 6. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is very thin; brush with oil. 7. Fold (see pics) and set aside. 8. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is about 1/4 inch thick. 9. Preheat a skillet over low heat and brush with oil. 10. Place one sabaya in the pan and cook for 30 seconds. 11. Brush with oil and then flip. 12. Gently press down the sabaya so that it cooks evenly on the bottom. 13. Flip and continue cooking on the other side until cooked. 1

Apple and Cinnamon Sabayah

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2 cups white flour 3 apples; peeled and grated/shredded 2 Tbsp. sugar 2 ts. cinnamon 1 ts. salt 3/4 c. water oil or melted butter for brushing on the dough during folding 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; mix to form a dough. 2. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 15 minutes. (Add more flour if too sticky.) 3. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour. (The longer it sits, the easier it is to roll.) 4. Knead for 2 minutes and then divide into 4 pieces. 5. Lightly coat each piece in flour and flatten slightly. 6. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is very thin; brush with oil. 7. Fold (see pics) and set aside. 8. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is about 1/4 inch thick. 9. Preheat a skillet over low heat and brush with oil. 10. Place one sabaya in the pan and cook for 30 seconds. 11. Brush with oil and then flip. 12. Gently press down the sabaya so that it cooks evenly on the bottom. 13. Flip and continue cooking on the other side until cooked. 14. Re

Adriyah

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This extremely delicious dish was adapted from Barlin Ali's cookbook Somali Cuisine. 1/2 stick (1/4 c.) butter 1 lb. angel hair pasta or vermicelli pasta (do not cook) 2 c. hot water 1 c. sugar 1 - 2 cinnamon sticks 1/2 ts. cardamom powder 1/2 c. raisins 1/4 c. toasted almonds salt to taste 1. Melt butter in a pot; add the uncooked pasta and saute until golden brown. 2. Add the hot water, sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom; simmer until all the water is absorbed and the pasta is no longer hard. 3. Add the raisins and almonds; remove from heat.

Somali Cookbook

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Somali Cuisine is the first of its kind to hold traditional Somali recipes, practiced and passed orally through generations of women. This cookbook represents a strong history of Somali women throughout the ages. The methods in preparing the dishes have been modified from the customary way to fit the use of technologies in the modern kitchen. Dishes such as maraq bilaash and sambuusi use various ingredients that contribute natural flavors and give these meals their unique taste. Follow the link below to purchase the book. http://www.somaliteatreats.com/book.htm

Important Information

Hi everyone, As always, I have been busy cooking and taking pics. I have over 30 new recipes that I have yet to type out. I posted the pics on my Facebook. You can see them in the album titled "Somali Food # 5". As always, your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. I also wanted to remind all of you that I use exact measurements in my recipes. You can find measuring cups and spoons at almost any store. You can also find very inexpensive ones at any dollar store.

Mecca Press and Cafe Muslimah

My dear brothers and sisters, I would love to thank Mohamed Hussein of MeccaPress.com for featuring my blog on his website. MeccaPress.com is about to have a Halal cooking contest. They are looking for the best Youtube cooking video. The winner will receive $200. Please visit MeccaPress.com . I would also like to thank Noor for designing my blog. May Allah bless you my dearest. Noor is also the owner of a really cool forum. Cafe Muslimah is a wonderful website for Muslim women and women that wish to learn about Islam. You can sign up at http://www.invisionplus.net/forums/index.php?mforum=cafemuslimah&c=2

Potato Sabayah

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This extremely yummy version of sabayah is very moist and flaky. Enjoy! 2 cups white flour 2 potatoes; peeled and shredded 1 Tbsp. garlic; minced 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/2 ts. salt 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup warm water oil or melted butter for brushing on the dough during folding 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; mix to form a dough. 2. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 15 minutes. 3. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour. (The longer it sits, the easier it is to roll.) 4. Knead for 2 minutes and then divide into 4 pieces. 5. Lightly coat each piece in flour and flatten slightly. 6. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is very thin; brush with oil. 7. Fold (see pics) and set aside. 8. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is about 1/4 inch thick. 9. Preheat a skillet over low heat and brush with oil. 10. Place one sabaya in the pan and cook for 30 seconds. 11. Brush with oil and then flip. 12. Gently press down the sabaya so that it cooks evenly on the bottom. 13.

My Somali prince and his first haircut.

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I really wanted to let my dear Ibrahim's hair grow. It looks quite nice when it is combed. I decided to cut it after so many people were complimenting me on my "daughter". I got tired of telling people that he was a boy. When I walked in to the hairdresser, she turned around and said "why would you want to cut her lovely hair?" It was so funny because Ibrahim looked at her and said, "I am not a girl, I am a big boy!" You should have seen her face. She was so embarrassed. What I don't get is that how can people mistaken him for a girl. He dresses like a boy. He wears clothes with trucks and cars on it. So he sits in a chair all excited until she puts this bright yellow cape on him. He screamed like crazy. You'd think she was cutting him or something. Well he survived and below you can see the results. BEFORE and AFTER

NEW BLOG

Dear readers, I have been looking for ways to make my blog look nicer and more efficient. I have also been busy trying to figure out how to use Photoshop. I have been experimenting with sabayah and muuffo. Masha'Allah I have created some really nice recipes. My kids even had fun making chocolate sabaya (It was fun and it tasted great, but it is more of a kid thing.)

Rice with Somali Steak

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Rice with Somali Steak This is regular Somali rice made orange with the addition of tomato paste. The Somali steak is very tender. The longer you marinade the steak, the better.

The Muslim Wife

Dear readers, I really need to share with you a wonderful website. It is called The Muslim Wife. Masha'Allah it is amazing. The sister that owns the site is an Australian woman called Iva Izman. You can find everything from articles about parenting to recipes. Enjoy! I know I did. http://everydaywife.islam4parents.com/

My Beautiful Little Somali Princess

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God has blessed me with 5 incredibly wonderful children. Adam is 13 (going on 30), Sarah is 11, Yusuf is 8, Ibrahim is 3, and Zakariya is 20 months. I am so happy that Allah has blessed me with a daughter. I remember playing dress up with her and letting her wear my scarves. She looked so adorable. Lately, I have been making her school clothes for next year. She tried on all these beautiful scarves and I realised that my baby girl is growning up. I always thought she looked like me, just a few shades darker. It wasn't until I took the above picture that I realised that the Somali gene is stronger than I thought.

Tuna and Tomato Pasta Sauce

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1/4 olive oil 1 sm. onion; finely chopped 5 cloves garlic; minced 1 can tuna; drained and flaked 1 5 oz. can tomato paste 14 oz can crushed tomatoes 1/2 tsp. corriander 1 Tbs. cilantro; chopped 3 basil leaves; chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. 2. Cook until the onions are translucent. 3. Add the tuna and cook for 2 minutes. 4. Add the tomato paste and the crushed tomatoes. 5. Cook for about 20 minutes. 6. Add the cilantro, basil, and corriander; simmer for about 10 minutes.

Eggplant, Carrot, and Onion Sabayah

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2 cups white flour 2 cups eggplant; shredded 1 carrot; shredded 1 onion; finely chopped 2 Tbsp. oil; melted 1 Tbsp. garlic; minced 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/2 ts. salt 3/4 cup warm water oil or melted butter for brushing on the dough during folding 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; mix to form a dough. 2. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 15 minutes. 3. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour. (The longer it sits, the easier it is to roll.) 4. Knead for 2 minutes and then divide into 4 pieces. 5. Lightly coat each piece in flour and flatten slightly. 6. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is very thin; brush with oil. 7. Fold (see pics) and set aside. 8. Flatten with a rolling pin until each piece is about 1/4 inch thick. 9. Preheat a skillet over low heat and brush with oil. 10. Place one sabaya in the pan and cook for 30 seconds. 11. Brush with oil and then flip. 12. Gently press down the sabaya so that it cooks evenly on the bottom. 13. Flip and continue cooking