Kenyan Food Recipes

Mahamri is an alternative to bread or tea biscuits. It is sweetened and spiced. Mahamris are a specialty on the Kenyan coast. Coastal women prepare them for breakfast or even as an accompaniment to vegetarian dishes.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE MAHAMRI

• Iliki – Swahili for cardamom
• Amira – Swahili for yeast
• White flour
• fresh milk or coconut milk
• Sugar
• Eggs – This is optional
• Warm water
• Salt
• Petroleum

HOW TO PREPARE MAHAMRIS

1. Dilute a teaspoon of yeast in a cup of warm water and let it steep for at least three hours.

2. Mix a teaspoon of crushed cardamom, four tablespoons of sugar, a pinch of salt and three eggs.

3. Add half a cup of warm milk and yeast to the mixture and mix well.

4. Add three cups of white flour to the dough and knead the dough until smooth. Make sure there are no flour lumps.

5. Divide the dough into several medium-sized balls and roll out onto a floured board or surface.

6. Depending on the size of each ball, cut the rolled dough into smaller pieces. You can cut them round or square, depending on your choice.

7. Let these balls sit at room temperature for about two hours to clear up.

8. Pour the oil into a pan and heat until hot. Start frying several of the mahamris at once. Cook them on both sides until golden brown. Don’t let them stay in the pan for more than three minutes.

serving tips

Good for breakfast with tea or black coffee. They can also be eaten on their own as a snack or served with fried cowpeas as a full meal.