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Kuku Paka + Irio #EattheWorld


I just adore the #EattheWorld project, being spearheaded by Evelyne of CulturEatz. Here's her challenge. It's always fun to travel to a country vicariously through their cuisine.


In February  we kicked off the project with Cuba; in March we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a tabletop trip to Ireland! Thailand was our April destination. And this month has us headed to Kenya.

The Kenyan Feast
Kuku Paka
Typically, this dish has a coconut milk sauce that sounds amazing. But I opened the can of coconut milk and promptly spilled it on the floor...and, given our crazy schedule, I had waited until the last possible night to make the dish. So, we went without. Next time!

Ingredients serves 4 to 6

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs (I used boneless and skinless)
  • 3  small tomatoes
  • 1  organic white onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1" knob ginger, peeled
  • 2  garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 hot chile or pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 t salt
  • 2  t ground cumin
  • 1  t ground coriander

Procedure
In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, chile, salt, cumin, and coriander. Process until a rough paste forms. Rub 1 cup of the mixture all over the chicken, and let chicken marinate, in the refrigerator, for at least one hour.

Prepare and light a charcoal grill or heat a grill pan. Grill the marinated chicken, until the outside is browned and the meat is cooked through. Serve with rice or flatbread. I opted to serve it with Irio.

Irio


Irio [eer-ee-o], noun: In the Kenyan tribal language Kikuyu, irio just means food. But it usually refers to a simple dish of mashed potatoes with maize, peas, or greens.

Originally a dish of the Kikuyu people, irio is a hearty, nutritious accompaniment. It has many variations, but potatoes and peas are the staple ingredients with corn being the most common addition. Irio is often paired with grilled steak in a dish known as as nyama na irio. Other variations include using lima beans or sauteed greens. Sometimes dried peas are used instead of fresh.

Ingredients

  • 2 C fresh shelled peas
  • 1 pound potatoes, scrubbed and cubed
  • water, to cover
  • pinch of salt + more for serving
  • 2 to 3 T butter
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste.

Procedure
Place the peas and potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Stir in the salt and place over a medium-high flame. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer until potatoes are cooked through, approximately 15 minutes. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid.


Mash the potatoes and peas together with a potato masher. Add in the butter and continue to mash until you have the texture you want. Add in a little of the reserved cooking liquid if the mixture gets too dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Comments

  1. That looks so delicious, my kids and I love irio.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was delicious and I love the possible variations.

      Delete
  2. I'm happy that there is no coconut milk included. That means it can go on my menu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great! Can't wait to hear what you think. The chicken was so tasty.

      Delete
  3. Irio is my favorite part of the dish! (I'm vegetarian ;-) ) This meal looks and sounds so tasty, and simple to make, which is a plus!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Super simple! It was needed...our schedules have been ridiculously crazy.

      Delete
  4. Sorry about the coconut milk! I’ve been there. Looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right?!? I'll have to do it again soon.

      Delete
  5. Sounds so good, even without the coconut milk (oh no for the mess). So happy to feel your enthousiasm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for starting this event, Evelyne. It's so much fun.

      Delete
  6. There's something so comforting about a big heap of mashed potatoes - I love the addition of corn and peas. I could definitely go for that! Your chicken dish sounds delicious even without the coconut milk, but I imagine it would be even more luscious with it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Margaret. I can't wait to try it again with the coconut milk this time.

      Delete

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