Posts Tagged "ugali"

Ugali is one of the staple foods in East Africa where we center a large percentage of our m

Posted on May 26, 2011

Ugali is one of the staple foods in East Africa where we center a large percentage of our microfinance projects.  So today, we bring you a short video about the making of this delicious cultural dish.

Sandy Davis, Friend and former Kenyan transplant writes:
 

The main staple food is ugali (pronounced “00-golly”) which is only water and maize flour.  Cooks in Western Kenya do not have measuring cups or spoons so they guess at proportions needed.  For the ugali, heat a certain amount of water in a large kettle over the fire.  The amount depends on how many people they will feed.  When it boils, enough maize flour is added to absorb all the water and make a solid “cake” of ugali.  It is then turned out of the rounded bottom of the pan onto a plate after being packed down hard.  It is then a mound on the plate.  Each person uses the communal knife to cut off a hunk of it for themselves.  Portions are pinched off with the fingers and molded and packed in the hand with a final indentation made with the thumb to form a spoon.  This is used to spoon up the greens or other broth and meat.

 Ugali is a yummy, chewy meal that compliments most anything.  If you give it a try at home, send us your pictures:  media@rswr.org