There's nothing quite like waking up early to the sound of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer. In Lamu, a small island off the coast of Kenya, the sound of the muezzin is just one of the many pleasures of starting the day off right.
As the sun begins to rise, there's nothing quite like a slow meander through the right alleys of Lamu, heading richte beach for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, there's something magical about starting the day off with a swim in the warm waters of the ocean.
After your swim, a strong, aromatic cup of Arabic coffee is a sure fire way to get your day started. Whether you prefer your coffee black or with a splash of milk, there's nothing quite like the rich, bold flavor of freshly brewed Arabic coffee. And if you're feeling hungry, a freshly made mandazi (a type of Swahili doughnut) is the perfect accompaniment.
If you want to try and make mandazi at home, here is a simple recipe.
Recipe for Mandazi:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coconut milk (optionally soak a few cardamom seeds in the milk overnight)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying
- icing sugar
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the water, milk, and egg.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into triangles using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Place the triangles of dough in the hot oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and have puffed up.
- Remove the mandazi from the oil and drain them on a paper towel.
- Serve the mandazi hot, with a sprinkle of icing sugar on top if desired. Enjoy!