East African Breakfast Platter

          This is a typical East African breakfast menu that is very popular. On this platter you will find MANDAZI, a deep fried doughnut which is the most favourite of all. It is generally served with tea or chai in the Swahili lingo. 

          The other dish is UJI WA WIMBI, a porridge made of millet flour. Next comes NDUMA (Arrowroot) & SWEET POTATO, that are boiled and shallow fried. So the locals generally start their day with either of these dishes or as preferred. All in all a healthy breakfast to kick start a day. 

1.  Mandazi / Mahamri (Doughnuts)

• 1 cup plain flour 
• 2 tbsp. butter
• pinch of salt 
• 3 tbsp. powdered sugar 
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder 
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• warm milk as required 
• oil to deep fry

           Mix together flour and butter till it resembles bread crumbs. Then add all the other ingredients (except milk) and knead into a dough. Add milk if required. Cover with a damp cloth and keep aside for 30 minutes. 

          Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a circle of 1/4" thickness. Cut into squares with a pizza cutter. 

          Heat oil in a pan and deep fry in batches till till light golden in colour. Drain on a kitchen towel and dust with some powdered sugar. Enjoy for breakfast with a hot cup of tea / coffee.

2.  Uji Wa Wimbi (Porridge)

• 3 tbsp. millet flour (I used Sorghum / Jowar flour)
• 2 + 1/2 cup water
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar / honey or to taste 
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder

          Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Meanwhile mix together millet flour and 1/2 cup water into a paste.

          When the water comes to a boil, add the sugar/ honey and cardamom powder. Simmer till the sugar dissolves. 

          Then add the flour paste and continue to simmer on a low flame till it turns thick to a desired consistency. Switch off the flame and serve as breakfast, garnished with a pinch of cardamom powder. 

3.  Fried Nduma (Arrowroot) 

• 2-3 Arbi, boiled, peeled & cut into thick slices
• pinch of salt 
• pinch of pepper or to taste
• 2 tbsp. oil to shallow fry

          Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the sliced arrowroot on both sides till they are light golden in colour. Drain and sprinkle salt and pepper. Your simple breakfast is ready. 

4.  Fried Sweet Potato 

• 1 medium size sweet potato, boiled, peeled & cut into thick slices
• pinch of salt
• pinch of pepper powder or to taste 
• 2 tbsp. oil to shallow fry

           Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the sliced sweet potato on both sides till they are light golden in colour. Drain and sprinkle salt and pepper. So Breakfast is ready.