Djibouti: Skoudehkaris (Lamb Stew), Laxoox (Flatbread), & Banana Fritters

So this past Sunday I cooked food from the little country of Djibouti. Before I looked up recipes from Djibouti I was expecting to find recipes for mush and bushmeat haha - even though I know better. If there is anything from this experience that I've learned its that there is good food everywhere! Enjoy!

Skoudehkaris (Lamb Stew)

All of the spices mixed

Serves: 4

1 Lb Lamb
1 Onion, chopped (I had to leave out)
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tsp Cumin
1/2 Tsp Cloves, grinded/crushed
1 Tsp Cardamom
1/2 Tsp Cayenne
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1 14 oz Can Tomatoes, diced
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Long-Grain Rice
Salt & Pepper to taste
- My FAV: Eden Foods Sea Salt -- 14 oz

Heat the oil in a large pot. Cook the onions until they are soft. Then add in the lamb and brown the meat on all sides. Add in the tomatoes, seasonings (all of the spices mixed), and water. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Then mix in the rice (and extra water if it is getting dry). Cover again and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.

Serve with the Laxoox.

Laxoox (Flatbread)

Serves: 4

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Wheat Flour

1/4 Cup Millet Flour TRY: Arrowhead Mills Organic Millet Flour -- 32 oz
-Substitutes: Sorghum TRY: Bobs Red Mill Sorghum Flour Gluten Free 22 Ozor Rice Flour

1 1/2 Tsp Yeast

1 Tsp Salt

- My FAV: Eden Foods Sea Salt -- 14 oz

1 Tsp Sugar

2 1/2 Cups Water

Add all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together and cover. You have two options: refrigerate overnight or sit it out on the counter for 4 hours. 

Heat up a pan (stainless steel or cast iron) or griddle (what I used) to medium heat. Coat the surface with some oil. Now spread the batter over the surface evenly until it is about 1/4" thick.

Leave the dough on until it is cooked all the way through - you do not need to flip it. Make sure to not burn the bottom. I would lift it up and look at the bottom to make sure I was not burning it. 

Serve with the stew. You can also serve it with butter and honey or with fruit. Enjoy!

Banana Fritters

Serves: 4

6 Bananas, ripened (I only had 3 so I halved the recipe)

1/2 Cup Rice or Wheat Flour

1/4 Cup Sugar, dissolved in 1/2 cup of water

1 Tsp Nutmeg

Oil for pan

Mash Bananas with a fork or blender to make into pulp. Mix in the flour, sugar (in the water) and nutmeg. Heat some oil on a frying pan or griddle. 

Fry the batter until it is cooked all the way through - flipping to cook both sides. I made the mistake of trying to flip it too soon on a few. It took a little longer to cook - so just be aware of it and make sure it does not burn. Enjoy!