Tammy's Somali Home

Today I discovered a wonderful site. It is called Bariisiyobasto.wordpress.com. At first glance one would think that it was about Somali food; afterall, bariis means rice and basto means pasta. But, you will not find recipes. You will find a nice collection of articles and an impressive amount of Islamic links. Check it out!! http://bariisiyobasto.wordpress.com/

1/2 cup red lentils water to soak 1/4 cup chickpea flour 1 ts. garlic 1 ts. ginger 2 Tbsp. cilantro 1/2 sm. chili 1. Soak the lentils for many hours; drain and blend in a food processor until the lentils are smooth. 2. Add the chickpea flour, garlic, ginger, and chili; blend until thoroughly mixed. 3. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the cilantro. 4. Drop teaspoon fulls into hot oil. 5. Remove using a slotted spoon; drain on paper towel.

4 slices of thick white bread 1 cup gram flour or chickpea flour( besan ) 1 Tbsp. rice flour 1 ts. salt 1 ts. cumin seeds 2 finely chopped green chilies 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons of water 1. Remove the crust from all sides of the bread. 2. Slice the bread lengthwise into 3 equal parts. 3. Mix all the dry ingredients together: Gram flour ( besan ), rice flour, cumin seeds, and salt. 4. Add the water slowly to make a smooth batter. (Batter should be the consistency of pancake batter.) 5. Add the green chilies and cilantro; mix well. 6. Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium high heat. 7. Dip the bread slices in the batter one at a time and slowly drop into the frying pan. 8. Fry the pakoras in small batches. The pakoras will take about 4 to 5 minutes to cook. 9. Fry the pakoras until both sides are golden brown. If oil is too hot pakoras will cook too fast and will not be crispy; if oil is not hot enough pakoras will be greasy.

8 slices bread; crust removed 1/2 cup cream cheese; softened 2 Tbsp. chives 2 eggs lightly beaten with 2 Tbsp. milk 3/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese 1. Mix the cream cheese and the chives. 2. Spread 4 slices of bread with the cream cheese mixture. 3. Top with remaining slices of bread; press down firmly. 4. Cut each "sandwich" into 4 triangles. 5. Toss triangles into the flour. 6. Dip triangles in the egg and milk, then in the combined breadcrumbs and parmesan. 7. Place on tray and refrigerate for 1 hour. 8. Deep fry in hot oil until browned. 9. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel.

3 cups water 1/2 ts. salt 1 1/2 cup quick cooking oats 1/4 cup sugar 1/8 ts. cardamom powder 1 1/2 cups buttermilk or laban 1/2 cup milk 1. In a pot, add the water, salt, sugar, cardamom, and the oats; bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. 2. Cook covered for 15 minutes. 3. Pour into a blender and blend until the oatmeal is very smooth. 4. Add the buttermilk and continue to blend. 5. Return the oatmeal mixture to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. NOTE: I made mine with 2 cups of buttermilk and found it to be a little too sour. For this recipe I changed it and added some milk. You can add whatever you like as long as it is 2 cups.

1 egg 1 1/2 Tbsp. cream cheese; softened 1 1/2 Tbsp. powdered milk 1/8 ts. vanilla 1 Tbsp. yeast (Instant/Fast acting) 1/2 cup warm water 1 cup flour 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl to form a soft dough. 2. Pour onto a heavily floured surface and knead for 1 minute. 3. Flatten dough with your hands until it is about 1/2 inch thick. 4. Cut out using a knife or cookie cutter. 5. Fry in hot oil. 6. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon. 7. Drain on paper towel. NOTE: These are not sweet. They are also best served right after cooking. This dough is VERY soft. Use as much flour on the surface as you need. Recipe created by Jenny Um Sultan

Pineapple is one of those foods that is heaven to eat. A good, juicy ripe pineapple can satisfy a sweet craving as well as any chocolate bar. In addition to being a delicious food, there are many health benefits of pineapple. Pineapple is Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals The obvious benefits of pineapple are all the vitamins and minerals the fruit is loaded with. Its nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. In addition it is low in fat and cholesterol. The benefits of pineapple can be achieved through eating fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple or by drinking its juice. 1 can (398ml) pineapple 1 can (398ml) coconut milk 6 Tbsp. sugar (more or less according to taste) 1 cup ice 1. In a blender, combine all the ingredients. 2. Cover and process for 1 to 2 minutes. 3. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Strawberries contain a broad range of beneficial nutrients, such as vitamin C, folate and fiber. Researchers around the world are also recognizing that the phytonutrients in strawberries - including ellagitannins and quercetin - may have considerable preventative effects on cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive decline. Science tells us that antioxidants are key to warding off chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer and to promoting optimum health. Researchers have tested foods to understand their antioxidant capacity. One test called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC for short showed that strawberries are packed with antioxidants, most notably anthocyanins, the pigment that makes strawberries red. The only problem, researchers warned, is that we don't know if the antioxidants get into the body efficiently. Well, preliminary results from a study on strawberries conducted by Dr. Gene Spiller of the Sphera Foundation show that 30 minutes and 60 minutes af...

Mangos are a sub-tropical fruit, requiring a long hot period to properly set the fruit. More mangos are eaten fresh than any other fruit in the world. There are over a thousand varieties of mango. The enzymes in mangos are tenderizing as are the enzymes in papaya. Mangos help to lower cholesterol, the fiber content is a wonderful aid to digestion regularity and they are rich in the vitamins A and C.They provide more carotinoids than other fruits, They are also low in calories. Ripe mangos have a pleasant fruity aroma and will yield slightly to pressure. Ripe mangos may have a variety of colors, being red, through orange, yellow, to green when ripe. As with other similar fruits, unripe mangos may be kept in a paper bag for a few days to entrap the ethylene gas that is naturally generated, promoting the ripening process. They are available from spring to fall. The best are...

2 c. honeydew melon chunks 2 peaches; cut into chunks 1 c. milk 6 Tbsp. sugar, or to taste 1. In a blender, combine all the ingredients. 2. Cover and process for 1 to 2 minutes. 3. Strain into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

You have to REALLY like fresh ginger to enjoy this juice. 2 inch piece of ginger; peeled and finely chopped. 1/2 Tbsp lemon rind 5 c. boiling water 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, or to taste 4 Tbsp. sugar, or to taste 1. Put the ginger and the lemon rind in a heatproof bowl. 2. Carefully cover with the boiling water. 3. Stir and let sit overnight. 4. Strain the liquid into a large pitcher. 5. Stir in the lemon juice and sugar. You might want to use a little less ginger. Mine was QUITE strong.

I like to make this chilly chocolate-flavored coffee drink on a regular basis. 1 cup milk 3 Tbsp. hot chocolate powder 2 Tbsp. instant coffee granules 2 Tbsp. honey 1 ts. vanilla 14 to 16 ice cubes 1. In a blender, combine all the ingredients. 2. Cover and process until smooth. 3. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Cranberries are actually a type of acidic berries that are rich in vitamin C and believed to contain excellent infection fighting properties. A source of pythochemicals known as condensed tannins; these berries are powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effect. The good news about tannins is the fact that cooking could not destroy it. Although most of us only know that cranberries are good for urinary tract infection, studies have also showed that there are other benefits of this humble fruit. Scientists now believe that this same fruit can help ward off health problems like ulcer and gum problems. Benefits of Cranberries Improve the body's circulatory system. A daily glass of cranberry juice will treat diseases like cystitis. Provide relief for asthma patients. Condensed tannins in cranberries can inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol and as a result protects body ...

Watermelons are in nature an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and B6. They are also a great source of potassium, and extremely low in sodium. Watermelons are a great snack for both children and adults, for the reason that they contain practically no fat. Pictures or artifacts that have survived to the present show that watermelon was grown by the ancient Egyptians. It was founded in 4000 B.C. and is still a universal fruit that continues to be a favorite fruit to many people. By the 1600's, watermelon made it's way to Spain, China, Great Britain, and even farther beyond. 2 c. watermelon chunks 1/2 c. cold water 2 Tbsp. sugar juice of 1 lime 1. In a blender, combine all the ingredients. 2. Cover and process for 1 to 2 minutes. 3. Strain into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Guava has an incredibly high content of vitamin C. In fact, one guava fruit contains four times more vitamin C than an average-sized orange; and ten times more vitamin A than a lemon! Guava is an excellent source of fiber, almost 70 times more fiber than can be found in an orange! Other key nutrients are vitamins B2 and E, calcium, copper, foliate, iron, manganese, phosphorus and potassium. 2 guava 2 c. milk 3 Tbsp. honey 1. Peel and cut the guava in large pieces. 2. In a blender, combine all the ingredients. 3. Cover and process for 1 or 2 minutes. 4. Strain into chilled glasses.

While trying to answer "Anonymous's question about a healthier alternative to fried foods in Ramadan, I came upon a really good site. Tons of questions and answers by a doctor about which foods to eat during Ramadan. I truly think it will benefit you. Healthy Eating Habits During Ramadan

This wonderful dessert was taken Barlin Ali's cookbook Somali Cuisine . 4 c. water 1 very ripe plantain 2 Tbsp. butter 1 cinnamon stick 1/2 c. sugar 1/4 ts. cardamom powder 1. Boil the banana in the water until the skin starts to separate from the banana. 2. Peel and cut into 1/2 inch thick pieces. 3. In a pan, add the banana, cinnamon, butter, and sugar. 4. Cook over medium heat until the liauid has thickened. 5. Add the cardamom powder and remove from heat.

1 lg. potato; peeled and sliced 1 onion; sliced 2 Tbsp. dark raisins 2 Tbsp. golden raisins 2 Tbsp. ghee salt to taste orange food coloring (I use the powder form.) 1. Put the potato slices in a large bowl; cover with cold water and add just enough food coloring to make the water yellow. 2. Put the onion slices in a bowl or plastic bag; add enough food coloring to the onions to get an orange color. The longer the onions sit; the darker the color. I sometimes let the onions sit overnight in the fridge. 3. Rinse the onion slices until the water runs clear and drain the potato slices. 4. Heat the ghee in a pan; add the potato slices and cook until tender. 5. Add the onion slices, raisins, and salt; cook for 2 minutes. Serve over rice.

I remember the first time I had these. I was living in Saudi Arabia and was visiting my neighbor. When I first heard of cheese sambusas. I wasn't sure if I wanted to try this or not. I am so glad I did. These little beauties are awesome. Especially if you are able to get KIRI cheese squares. Makes 8 large sambusa 120 g. cream cheese or 6 Kiri cheeses 1/2 onion; finely chopped 3 cloves garlic; minced 2 Tbsp. feta cheese 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese; grated 2 Tbsp. milk 3 Tbsp. carrots; grated 3 Tbsp. cilantro; chopped Sambusa/Samosa wrappers 1. Mix the three cheeses with the garlic and milk. 2. Add the onions, carrots, and cilantro; stir. 3. Fill each sambusa cone with 1 Tbsp. of the cheese filling. 4. Seal the top seam with flour paste. 5. Preheat oil on medium heat. 6. Cook 4 sambusa at a time until golden and bubbly. 7. Remove and drain on a paper towel. You can use pre-packaged sambusa wrappers, Chinese won ton wrappers, flour tortilla wraps, or you can make them from scratch.