Kenyan Kebab Recipe : Swahili Style

30 April 2023|Kenyan Recipes

https://toasterding.com/f/kenyan-kebab-recipe-swahili-style

Swahili Kebabs [ Img: Pintrest @linnmumhera ]

So you’re tired of boring meals and snacks and want something to trigger your taste buds? Absolutely can’t go wrong with kebabs! Also known as Kababu za Nyama in Swahili

Imagine; juicy ground beef, onions, garlic, coriander(cilantro), mixed together with your favorite spices. Okay you imagined what a flavor kaboom tastes like

In summary, Swahili kebabs are made by combining lean ground beef with freshly cut herbs, onions, and aromatics of choice; mostly ginger and garlic, with at least 3 different spices added too for extra aroma and kick. Once homogeneous bread crumbs are optionally added, the mixture is coated in flour and then egg-washed, fried, and egg-washed again up to at least 3 coats of egg wash. The resulting kebabs are so fluffy crisp on the outside and tender on the inside

Just like Jesse and Walter, let’s cook!

Ingredients

(500g,17.7oz) Ground Beef(Minced Beef)
1 Bunch of Dhania / Coriander(Cilantro) or Parsley
1 Bunch of Spring Onions
1 Large White/Red Onion Bulb
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 Thumb of Ginger
1Tsp Garam Masala
1Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1Tsp Cumin Powder
1Tsp Paprika
1 Tsp Onion Powder (Optional)
1/2 Tsp White Pepper (Optional)
Black Pepper Grinder
Salt
3 Cups Vegetable Oil

Procedure

Dice up your red/white onions, oil the pan with 2 tbsp of oil, and cook them on low heat. Once cooked and translucent add minced ginger and garlic paste, add your ground spices after another minute, and cook further for another minute till everything is combined and distributed evenly. Take the onions off the heat and let cool
Proceed to chop your coriander(cilantro) and spring onion leaves and add them to a separate bowl
In a large bowl add your ground beef, salt it before combining it with the cooked onions, and use a cooking stick to mix till homogeneous
Add the coriander and spring onions to the beef mixture and combine.
Proceed to mold the resulting beef onion coriander mixture into a cylindrical shape using the palm of your hand and your fingertips, then finish it off by rolling it on a flat surface for a more even shape
Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour on a plate and spread it over the surface
In a separate shallow plate, crack two eggs salt and pepper them before mixing till whites and yolks are combined. This is our egg wash
Roll the kebab patties on the flour for coating then proceed to egg wash them once done place them aside on a flat surface
In a deep pot add 3 cups of vegetable oil and heat till ready, reduce heat and using a spatula carefully grab your patties and dunk them in the oil, don’t overcrowd your pot
Cook till the brownish color turns whitish, take the kebabs off the heat and cool for a minute before proceeding to egg wash them, and deep fry again adding another layer
Repeat the process of egg washing and deep frying for at least 3 coats of egg. 4 is good but you can do 5 if you want extra fluffy results
Cool the bad boys before serving; At this point, they will be smelling heavenly, I got my lip burnt so you don’t have to

Serving

Swahili kebabs are so different from kebabs around the world. What do they taste like? Crispy egg crust on the outside and aromatic spicy beef filling on the inside. The diced withered onions and coriander add more texture to the filling. Getting all those textures and flavors in a single bit is so heavenly!

Serve your kebabs with your favorite condiments, there are no rules here just go crazy; go simple with just ketchup, or like me I prefer to combine the following;

2Tbs Mayo, 2Tbs Ketchup, 1Tbs Hot Sauce,1/4Tbs Mustard,Salt and Black Pepper

Coat your kebab end with the sauce and stuff your throat, or just slice your kebab across and dip it in your sauce.

Notes

You can cook minced meat in a pan before combining it with onions and spices
You can also add bread crumbs and one egg to the beef to make it more sturdy
For even-sized rolls, use a measuring cup to scoop an equal amount of the beef mixture, 1/3 cup is ideal for small two bite-sized kebabs. Use 2/3 cup to 1 cup if you want absolute units
When molding make sure it is firm and tight with no air spaces. Press tightly against your hands. The firmness will go a long way in preventing our kebabs from disintegrating in hot oil. Remember, if it is not tight it is not right
When rolling kebabs in all-purpose flour, or egg washing them, don’t forget the side edges. When egg washing if you are weak and don’t want to touch the messy egg mixture, just use a pastry brush to cover the kebab all around
Use a spatula to gently lower down your kebabs into the hot oil. Make sure you use a deep and narrow pot when frying. The depth is important in ensuring full immersion of the kebabs and the narrowness factor will just help us achieve the desired depth without using large quantities of oil. You are not limited to vegetable oil as well, any high smoke point oil is ideal. Canola and Peanut oils work pretty fine as well
Don’t overcrowd your pot, to prevent your rolls from sticking together, and will ensure even cooking. Also, don’t cook once to completion and instead use the cooking cycles. When re-coating the rolls make sure to reduce your heat to low as this will prevent instant burning of the new egg layers added, increase your heat once you have dunked them back into the oil
After the final coat cook longer till golden and brown, allow the kebabs to rest first as the inside is still hot and cooking. Resting also allows them to firm up more and will hold up well without falling apart

Nutritional Information

Servings: 1 Amount per serving Calories 605

% Daily Value* Total Fat(62.8g 81%) Saturated Fat 11.8g 59% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 549mg 24% Total Carbohydrate 11.6g 4% Dietary Fiber 3.1g 11% Total Sugars 1.9g Protein 3.6g

Vitamin D 0mcg 0% Calcium 80mg 6% Iron 3mg 18% Potassium 341mg 7%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Disclaimer

The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, cooking methodology, and quantities used. This should only be used for informational purposes and not for dietary advice.