If the way to a Luhya heart is through his/her stomach, then to play perfect host you have to know ugali as only a Luhya can. Ugali goes by various names among the 18 houses of mulembe including busuma, obusuma, buchima, vuchima, eboso, liposo and more. It is a humble staple that has threatened the … Read more
There are rules to what happens in the kitchen. Even something that looks as obvious as obusuma, to cook the perfect ugali, one must respect all knowledge passed down through the years. Here are 11 unbendable rules to cooking the perfect ugali, gleamed from years of Luhya cooking tradition. My colleague Sade Khalai was adamant … Read more
Jute mallow is a much loved traditional vegetable that is known by various names among the Luhya: mrenda, murere, mtere, likhu. Known for its unusual appearance and texture, the Luhya of Kenya value this vegetable beyond its taste by attaching cultural meaning that elevates mrenda from a humble vegetable to be the queen among its … Read more
Simsim is this delicate plant that takes a lot of patience, attention and care from farm to fork. Join us as we learn how to harvest simsim the proper way… Er, at least to the high standards of my demanding mother. But first, a story. For a long time I never understood why mum bothered … Read more
After harvesting simsim from its pods and cleaning it, store it safe in a cool dry place. On the day you want to roast simsim, take a portion of simsim and…… follow this guide. All those delicious traditional Luhya simsim dishes and treats begin with one ingredient: you need cooked simsim; then you work it … Read more
I invite you to step into my grandmother’s kitchen. Join me as I rediscover another of khukhu Nakhatama’s simple recipes. She once whispered to me that good food is all in the preparation. With that nugget of grandmotherly advice in mind, let’s learn how to make authentic homemade peanut butter the Luhya way. Having grown up … Read more
The instructions that follow illuminate all that I can remember about the nifty pep talks, gentle nudges and most of the time Gordon Ramsey-esque hell from kukhu as she taught me how to cook. This is your path to finger licking good sifuluko. How to make groundnut paste for sifuluko My Masaba grandma’s original recipe … Read more
Our easy sifuluko recipe will make you a master of this authentic contemporary Kenyan spicy delight. And not only that – you will be liberated as you will be free to try out groundnut paste in the many tasty ways it is enjoyed in traditional Luhya cuisine. Groundnut paste is an ingredient that’s quintessential to … Read more
This is how to make kamakhalange the Luhya way. The right way. Kamakhalange is the perfect traditional food choice to provide high energy when you need one. How to make kamakhalange in just over four days and in six easy steps
Food stories, recipes and how-to’s of 10 heavenly Luhya dishes designed by tradition to not only last long, but pack in nutrients for the long haul such as in these unprecedented times of the coronavirus lockdown. The 10 Luhya traditional foods at a glance Muduya Chiswa chinyomu Kivambara Sun dried traditional vegetables Uvuoni Bubwoba Enyama … Read more
