UGALI
This is the most staple meal in Kenya and everyone must know how to make it.Just 2 ingredients flour and water.Tools are mwiko and a pot that is not nonstick.
SKUMA
This is for eating with ugali most of the time and it is very healthy.Some people call it colard greens but here it is what we call kale.
BEEF STEW
This is a big staple too and it is an easy recipe to enjoy beef.All you need is to add oil to a pot,fry onion,then tomatoes that have chopped up and cook them till it is mashed up then add meat(preboiled) and fry till done.You can add dania/parsley at the end.Other ingredients can be garlic,chilies or bell peppers.Do not dare put zucchini/kojet in it otherwise you leave Kenya and do not come back.
RICE
Most people just cook it plain in Kenya just water,rice,salt and oil.You can add turmeric or soy sauce for flavour or color change.
MAYAI YA KUKULA NA UGALIThis is eggs to eat with ugali so you have to fry it with onions and tomatoes.
NJAHI
This is black beans and here in Kenya we do not use the canned ones.You get from the mama mboga who boils a fresh batch every morning or you boil it yourself at home.Presoak overnight so that they boil faster.
BEANS STEW
Just like njahi we do not eat the canned one.You fry it simply with onions and tomatoes.Optional you can add coconut milk to add more flavour.
CHICKEN KIENYEJI STEW
This is mostly made with what we call Kienyeji chicken.This chicken looks different from the typical layers and they taste better especially in stews.
CHIPS
We call chips in Kenya fries.Always soak them in water to rinse out the starch as they fry better when you do that.
PANCAKE
The Kenyan pancake looks very different it is almost a cross-breed between a crepe and the pancakes I see people in the USA eat.
BOILED EGG
You just boil water throw in eggs for 15 minutes for hard boiled.In Kenya we do not eat eggs with the yolk still running I always find it weird seeing american chefs make eggs that are runny.Plus if you are Kenyan and you want to eat runny yolks remember all american eggs are pasteurized and Kenyans are not so you are risking getting salmonella.
MKATE MAYAI-FRENCH TOAST
This is basically french toast and most Kenyans do not add milk to the batter just egg wash on the bread then you fry.
CHAPO MAYAI-ROLLEX
This is a new staple you fry an egg then roll it inside a chapo.It is our version of an egg burrito.
GITHERI STEW
There is also githeri with waru/potatoes
The githeri is something every single Kenyan has eaten let them not lie to you.If it is fried well it tastes so good.The potato makes it even better and the Bantus are the ones obsessed with adding potatoes to every meal.
PILAU
There are many versions of the pilau depending on which tribe cooks it for you.The best one should have some meat in it.
KACHUMBARI
This is to enjoy with meals as a side dish.I think this is the only side dish in Kenya lol.
CHAPATI
This is one delicious food and you can eat it with anything.I like it hot from the pan.The one that has layers is more tasty.
There is normal chapati but you can also add butternut squash in it.
CHIPS MASALA
POTATO AND BEEF STEW
This is beef stew with potatoes and imagine people eat it with rice.Some kenyans love eating carbohydrates with more carbohydrates lol especially people from central province.
CHAI
The Kenyan tea must have a color as shown and you get this by boiling the milk with the tea leaves.If you use tea bags you squeeze them till the tea gets to this color.
Chips Mayai
The best I ever had been at was at a restaurant outside USIU campus.It is fries with eggs.
Matoke/Raw Banana Stew
This is the banana that is still green you just fry it with onions and tomatoes.Sometimes meat can be added.
Liver Fry
This is liver fry perfect for those with anemia since it has a lot of heme iron.Always eat an orange as you eat liver to absorb most of the iron.
Tilapia Stew
Mukimo
This is mashed potatoes with leaves of pumpkin/kaharora(stinging nettle leaves grounded)
Those are the Kenyan meals every Kenyan should know how to make.If someone doesn’t know how to make at least half of these meals either a man or a lady do not date them at all bure kabisa.
Some Kenyan bloggers to teach you how to make these meals are:
KALUHI’S KITCHEN
JIKONI MAGIC
TALKING TO NELY
You can also check the blogpost below of Kenyan cooking YouTube channels.
KENYAN COOKING CHANNELS TO GET RECIPES
kwaheri
25 Recipes Every Kenyan Should Know How to Make UGALIThis is the most staple meal in Kenya and everyone must know how to make it.Just 2 ingredients flour and water.Tools are mwiko and a pot that is not nonstick.