Recipes from Uganda: Curried Potatoes

This curried potato recipe allows you to introduce your kids to a number of spices used in Ugandan cooking! My family loves curries (although we usually have to cut back on the spice a little for the kids) and look forward to trying out this recipe.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp tomato purée
1/2 tsp chili sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt, to taste
2 lb potatoes, peeled and parboiled
6 oz water

Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion and fry for about 6 minutes, or until it begins to turn golden.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
Add the ground spices and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Stir in the tomato purée, chili sauce, lemon juice and season with salt to taste.
Slice the parboiled potatoes into ½-inch pieces and add to the pan. Stir well to combine then pour in 6 oz water.
Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has reduced and thickened. Serve hot.

Recipe and photos are courtesy of Compassion International.

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

This week I want to share about the Rwenzori Mountains National Park!

This national park is located in western Uganda, near the border with Congo. The Rwenzori mountain range contains the 3rd highest peak in Africa, Mt. Stanley, which is 5,109m above sea level. Uganda shares Mt. Stanley with Congo.

The national park has over 70 species of mammals and 217 species of birds, with 19 being Albertine Rift endemic bird species.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994 and a Ramsar Site in 2008. They were given their name by the Ptolomy, a cartographer from Alexandria in AD 150 and the name means "Mountains of the Moon."

National Park information and photos are courtesy of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Elizabeti's Doll

Elizabeti's Doll is by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen and takes place in neighboring Tanzania. My three-year-old was enthralled by the story and the illustrations are beautiful.

This sweet story gives kids a view into what life is like for kids in eastern Africa, sharing aspects of Elizabeti's life. We follow Elizabeti as she gathers water and watch how her sister cooks. We are also able to see Elizabeti play like children everywhere as she cares for her rock doll.

I highly recommend sharing this book with your children! Enjoy!


All photos are courtesy of Amazon.

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Recipes from Uganda: Matooke

I love trying food from other countries! Not only does it introduce us to new mixes of flavors, but it reminds me to pray for our friends in those countries. This recipe comes from the central region of Uganda and is called Matooke.

Ingredients:
10 plantains, peeled and cubed
Juice of 1 lemon
Oil for frying
1 onion, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 chili, finely chopped
1 dried or smoked fish, soaked, deboned and flaked
Salt, coriander and cayenne pepper to taste
1 lb beef, cubed
2 c beef stock

Directions:
Sprinkle the plantains with lemon juice as soon as they have been diced. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions, tomatoes, green bell pepper, chili and garlic until they have softened.
Add the spices and stir in, then add the meat and cook until it begins to brown.
Add the stock, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and add the plantains and fish.
Cover the pot and simmer over low heat until the plantains are tender and the meat is done (about 40 minutes). Serve hot.

Recipe and photos are courtesy of Compassion International.

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.