January's country focus- TANZANIA

I decided to introduce the girls to foods from different cultures. I am, also, teaching them a little about whichever country we are eating the food of. This month was Tanzania. I chose Tanzania because one of our sponsored children lives there. He is pictured in the blog right before this one. With the riots in Kenya, it seemed fitting to start with Africa. Tanzania is the neighbor to the south of Kenya. The foods that I made are prepared in Tanzania, but they are, also, prepared in other countries in East Africa (such as Kenya & Uganda).

I am providing 3 recipes, in case anyone is interested in tasting these delicious dishes.



Futari ya Ndizi (food ranking ***)
you need:
7 green bananas (not plantains)
1 can coconut milk
2 tsp Cardamon (spice)
1 tsp butter

Put butter, coconut milk, and cardamon in a pan big enough to hold the 7 bananas (but do not put the bananas in yet). Heat and stir until it comes to a boil. Cut bananas in thirds & put into boiling mixture. Lower the heat to low and cover. Simmer until cooked (about 5 to 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Serve warm.

Samosa (food ranking ****)
you need:
1 lb ground beef, pork or chicken
3 tbsp crushed garlic
1 1/2 tsp whole Anise seeds
salt
vegetable oil for frying
1 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
3 tbsp chopped cilantro
60 wonton wrappers (1 package)
flour

cook the ground meat until brown. add salt, garlic, anise, cumin and cilantro until garlic is cooked. let cool. put half of the wonton wrappers down on floured counter. mix 1/4 flour with a small amount of water to make a paste. brush the flour paste around the edges of the wonton wrappers. put meat mixture in the middle of the wonton. put another wonton wrapper on top of that one to make a sandwich out of the meat mixture. Use the flour paste to fill in any gaps in the two wontons. Heat 1 inch oil in fry pan. Once the oil is hot, place the filled wontons into the oil. Turn once. They cook very fast, so you will turn them after a few seconds. Let cool.

Mkate wa iriki (Cardamon Bread- food ranking ****)
you need:
1 dry yeast packet (or 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast)
1/2 cup warm water
1tsp sugar
1tsp ground Cardamon
3 cups flour
1 tbsp sugar
3/4 cup coconut milk
1 tbsp oil

mix 1 tsp sugar and yeast in warm water. cover with plastic wrap and let rise. add sugar, oil, cardamon, and coconut milk. add flour little by little and mix by hand. knead dough for 10 minutes on a floured counter. put dough in an oiled bowl. cover with a cloth and let rise. once it has doubled in size, knead the dough again for 2 minutes. place the dough into a loaf baking dish. let rise until it is above the rim of the pan. preheat oven to 350, and bake for 30 minutes.