The Indian Culture
Food and Drink
A typical indian meal
Indian food is generally very rich in spices and flavors, and is usually cooked in butter. Since I have an Indian background, the typical meal I would be served at home would consist of a type of curry, chapatti and rice with pulses. Along with the meal, I would be served a drink known as “Lassi”, which is basically a smoothie/milkshake made out of yoghurt. This meal comes from India and is served on individual plates. However, in some South Indian cultures, meals are served on banana leafs.
This meal is prepared by my mum. It is served regularly but for special occasions, there are additions such as other curries and of course sweet dishes – Kheer (rice pudding), Gajar Halwa (carrot dessert), Rasmalai (a dessert made from cottage cheese or Paneer), etc
This meal is prepared by my mum. It is served regularly but for special occasions, there are additions such as other curries and of course sweet dishes – Kheer (rice pudding), Gajar Halwa (carrot dessert), Rasmalai (a dessert made from cottage cheese or Paneer), etc
Gajar Halwa - a carrot delight served as dessert after a meal
My Secondary Identity
Even though I am an Indian, I live in Kenya which is a multi-racial society comprising of several ethnic groups. Staple foods of Kenya consist mainly of corn, maize, potatoes and beans. A typical meal served in a Kenyan’s home would be Ugali (maize meal cooked into a thick porridge until it sets hard) accompanied by Sukuma Wiki (stewed spinach). This meal is served in a group platter where everyone can reach using their right hand. It is served regularly. On special occasions, there are a few additions to the meal, such as ‘Nyama Choma’ and for dessert there could be a tropical fruit dessert or a coconut and sweet potato pudding. Kenyans are fond of eating fruit grown locally within their fields. Chapattis and Githeri (a mix of beans) are also part of the traditional meals. Breakfast in Kenya consists of fresh Mandazi (a semi-sweet flat doughnut), usually with kahawa or chai (coffee or tea in Swahili).
Recipe for making traditional Githeri
Ingredients:
1 can corn
1 can kidney beans
Procedure:
Pour corn and beans into a saucepan
Heat on medium to low and simmer until cooked through
Serve with chapattis, Ugali and meat to complete a Kenyan meal.
The Githeri, Ugali, Sukuma Wiki or Mandazi can be prepared by absolutely anyone, but in a traditional Kenyan home, the women would prepare it. These foods all come from Kenya, however some have their roots from Nigeria. Every meal is served with either kahawa or chai.
For more mouth-watering recipes, visit:
http://www.kenyatravelideas.com/kenya-dessert-recipes.html
For more information on Kenya’s traditional foods and drinks, visit:
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html
Even though I am an Indian, I live in Kenya which is a multi-racial society comprising of several ethnic groups. Staple foods of Kenya consist mainly of corn, maize, potatoes and beans. A typical meal served in a Kenyan’s home would be Ugali (maize meal cooked into a thick porridge until it sets hard) accompanied by Sukuma Wiki (stewed spinach). This meal is served in a group platter where everyone can reach using their right hand. It is served regularly. On special occasions, there are a few additions to the meal, such as ‘Nyama Choma’ and for dessert there could be a tropical fruit dessert or a coconut and sweet potato pudding. Kenyans are fond of eating fruit grown locally within their fields. Chapattis and Githeri (a mix of beans) are also part of the traditional meals. Breakfast in Kenya consists of fresh Mandazi (a semi-sweet flat doughnut), usually with kahawa or chai (coffee or tea in Swahili).
Recipe for making traditional Githeri
Ingredients:
1 can corn
1 can kidney beans
Procedure:
Pour corn and beans into a saucepan
Heat on medium to low and simmer until cooked through
Serve with chapattis, Ugali and meat to complete a Kenyan meal.
The Githeri, Ugali, Sukuma Wiki or Mandazi can be prepared by absolutely anyone, but in a traditional Kenyan home, the women would prepare it. These foods all come from Kenya, however some have their roots from Nigeria. Every meal is served with either kahawa or chai.
For more mouth-watering recipes, visit:
http://www.kenyatravelideas.com/kenya-dessert-recipes.html
For more information on Kenya’s traditional foods and drinks, visit:
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Kenya.html
Evolution
There haven't been any major changes to Kenya food. Though, today many people add a few spices and other extra components to the Githeri, to further enhance it's taste.
There haven't been any major changes to Kenya food. Though, today many people add a few spices and other extra components to the Githeri, to further enhance it's taste.
Mandazi
