Category: fusion

Minced Beef Jumbo Rolex

~ Sophie ~ 16 Comments

One word: Epic. Is what was in my mind while conceptualising this Rolex. I am already in celebratory mode because the Rolex Festival is a few days away. So I thought what not a better way than to make this epic rolex and then eat it all in one sitting because it is possible! I am so excited to see the many innovations that will come to fruition that day. If you can, I urge you to attend.

Imagine juicy ground beef, a healthy dose of vegetables and the right amount of egg and this epic rolex in born. It has a good balance of cooked and raw, sweet and salty with a hint of spice and did I mention the jumbo size? You should make this ASAP.

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What you will need:
3 Large chapatis
500 gm. Minced beef
6 Eggs
A handful of steamed amaranth (dodo)
2 Small carrots
½ Avocado, thinly sliced
1 large green pepper
2 Large onions
½ Tsp. Ginger, grated
¼ C. Parsley, finely chopped
1 Large tomato, finely chopped

Black pepper
Salt
Oil for frying

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Method
1. Finely chop one onion, one carrot and half a green pepper and set aside. Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a pan on high fire. Add the ginger and the onions. Let the onions become translucent then add the minced beef. Stir well and cover.
2. After 10 minutes, remove the cover and stir. Add tomatoes and stir. Let the meat cook till the tomatoes are tender. Add the green pepper, carrot, salt and black pepper and cover the pan. Keep stirring occasionally till the meat has cooked fully and all the liquid has evaporated. Remove beef from fire and set side.
3. Thinly slice the remaining onion and green pepper and set aside. Using a peeler or grater, shave the carrot and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk two eggs. Fry on medium heat till almost golden brown. Repeat the process until you have three large fried eggs.
5. To assemble the rolex, place one chapati on a plate or board. Place an egg on top. Add minced meat. Next add steamed amaranth, shaved carrot, green pepper, onion, and then avocado. Gently roll the chapati from one end to the other while pressing down to make sure it is firm.
6. Cut into half or into rolls and serve warm with a lemon wedge. Makes 3 large rolexes.

Easy to make and packed with savoury flavor. Let me stop here so you can go make yourself this epic rolex and eat it with a favourite drink or beverage. Also let me know how you prepare yours.

🙂

Sophie

 

How to Make Ugandan Banana Pancakes – Kabalagala Video

~ Sophie ~ 11 Comments

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Kabalagala has been the ultimate desert/snack for almost as long as I can remember. Thinking back, a lot of memories are attached to this delicacy right here. And since we have already dubbed the Rolex as the nation’s ultimate power street  food/snack, I though it only fair to give these sweet banana pancakes the spotlight too. Because lets be honest: Who does not love pancakes? They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, supper and as a snack too. And what not a better way to have them with a favourite drink/ beverage? Ultimate dessert it is!

As I promised on Instagram, it is time to let you know about some great things coming your way. First off, I plan on making more fun short videos. Check out the last two I posted on my YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe for more great content.

Secondly, I have received numerous emails on  whether I have a book in print. Having a book in print is hard work, I have found out lately. But this does not mean we should all give up. So I am working on a recipe calendar for 2017 that will be out in about 5-7 weeks from now. It will be filled with great recipes, photos and useful information. Also, it will be a great gift to give to friends, co-workers and loved ones especially since we are heading into the holiday months.  I am excited already. Aren’t you?

Now back to these pancakes.
Traditionally, pancakes are a mix of just plain cassava flour and ripe sweet bananas which yields a well textured  mildly sweet chewy pancake. I decided to add a little sugar because this sweet tooth I tell you! along side baking soda, it helps  create a soft sweet pancake. I could go on and on but the bottom line is these pancakes are worth a try. I have put together a small video to guide you. Watch it below and get frying.

KABALAGALA (UGANDAN PANCAKES)

Yield: 10-12 Pancakes

Ingredients Amounts

 

Ripe Sweet Bananas 2 Cups

Cassava Flour 4 Cups

Sugar 2 Tablespoons

Baking Soda 1/2 Teaspoon

Oil for frying 3 Cups

 

Method

  1. Peel the ripe bananas and place in a bowl. Mash them till almost smooth.
  2. Add sugar and baking soda and mix well.
  3. Add cassava flour to the mashed bananas gradually until a non sticky soft dough forms. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. 
  4. Place a clean plastic/cling film on a flat surface. Using hands, spread dough out to about a centimeter in thickness. 
  5. Using a round-shaped cookie-cutter/glass, cut out the pancakes. Repeat the process till all the dough is used up.
  6. Heat oil on medium heat. Fry pancakes until golden brown and fragrant.
  7. Serve warm.

 

Variation: You can substitute sweet bananas with regular ripe bananas.

Traditionally, kabalagala do not have sugar and baking soda. They are added to soften the texture of the pancakes. 

 

Note: Not all the 4 cups of flour will be used up.  As long as the dough is not sticking to your hands and the mixing bowl, it is perfect. Kabalagala can also be fried in red palm oil. 

🙂

Sophie

Savoury Mozzarella Soya Bread

~ Sophie ~ 6 Comments

 

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I have been on a baking high lately and every chance get, I keep buying yeast just so I can smell the wonderful and pleasant aroma of yeast wafting through the kitchen when the bread dough is rising. Do you ever feel that way?  Let us talk about this bread. It is made with ingredients that can be found easily. With a perfect combination of carrots, green pepper, spicy ginger, and mozzarella, this filling hearty bread is sure to frequent your baking routine. The best part: Mozzarella keeps the loaf moist and soft even after it has completely cooled off. Good news is you do not have to have an oven to bake. A charcoal stove can work and a pressure cooker too! This bread is probably one of the best I have ever made.  With Paramount Dairies Mozzarella cheese, you can make this savoury, tasty filling soya  bread because everything is better with cheese. Let me just stop talking so we can start baking.

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What you will need:

4 C. Baking Flour, sifted

2 C. Soya flour, sifted

2 C. Carrot, grated

1 ½  C.  Mozzarella, grated

½ C. Green pepper, finely chopped

1/8 C. Ginger, grated

1/8 C. Parsley, finely chopped

1C. Milk, warm

½ C. Oil

2 Large eggs

4 Tbsp. + 2 Tbsp. Sugar

4 Tsp. Yeast

3 Tsp. Salt

½ Tsp. Black pepper

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Observations:

  1. Have an extra 1/2 cup of flour at hand for dusting your working area.
  2. The grated carrot and ginger have liquid in them. Less milk is needed for the flour but have an extra 1/2 cup of milk at hand.
  3. Soya flour softens the texture of the bread. You can substitute chickpea flour If you do not eat soya.

 

Method:

  1. In a bowl, add milk and 4 tablespoons of sugar and mix till the sugar has dissolved. Add the yeast and cover bowl for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and oil together and set aside.
  2. In another bowl, combine the carrot, green pepper, ginger, black pepper, salt, sugar, cheese, parsley, wheat flour and soya flour. Mix all ingredients.
  3. After 10 minutes, pour the oil-egg mixture into the milk-yeast mixture and stir well. Gradually pour the yeast mixture into the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Knead till a firm non sticky dough if formed.
  4. Cover dough with a wet towel and let it rise for 1 hour.
  5. Grease/ oil your baking pans with margarine and set aside. After 1 hour, punch dough down and knead for 10 seconds. Divide dough into two equal parts and place each dough into the baking pans. Let the dough sit for another 15-20 minutes.
  6. Light a charcoal stove. Get two large aluminium pans (They have to be large enough for the cake/bread pan to fit in). Put ash in one pan (about 2-3 inches of ash). Put the pan with ash on the stove and cover than pan with the second pan. This is the ‘preheat’ moment.
  7. After the dough has risen for 20 minutes, gently place the baking dish in the pan (the one with the ash in it) on the stove. Cover with the second pan. Let the doughnut bake for 30 minutes (don’t open the pan at this stage). After 30 minutes have passed, get hot charcoal from the stove and place it on top of the covering pan making sure they are in the centre of the pan. Bake for another 30 minutes or unit the bread turns slightly golden brown.
  8. Serve warm. Makes two loaves.

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These loaves are great on their own because they have all the good stuff in them but you can serve them alongside your favourite beverage or soup.Use the #AkitcehnInUg to share your creations.

🙂

Sophie

 

 

This post is made possible by Paramount Dairies. You can find Paramount mozzarella and other cheese products in major supermarkets in Kampala.