PILIPILI YA KUKAANGA

My first ever encounter with Pilipili ya Kukaanga was when we went to visit one of our cousin. She is "Coastarian" what we like to refer those guys who live on the Kenyan Coast like Mombasa, Lamu, Diani among other towns. They are well known for their spicy, fragrant and yummy Swahili cuisines. From bhajia, biryani, achari, mabuyu, mahamri, pilau, samosa, pilipili ya maembe... yaani, mapochopocho! 😋Our cousin had cooked Pilau and she says pilau is incomplete without Pilipili ya Kukaanga. Thus was the beginning of my love for this spicy hot delicious sauce! Pilipili ya kukaanga is simply a delicious chili sauce that is used to accompany dishes like Pilau, Biryani among other delicious Coastal delicacies. This is my simpler version but you can get as detailed as you like, you can add different spices, herbs, and even vegetables like bell peppers. Anything goes but the chillies are what is constant, so it depends how hot 🌶 you wanna go! I literally ate a few spoonfuls before I could cook the main meal, its that delicious. I also have a video on how I made this Pilipili ya Kukaanga, do check it out and SUBSCRIBE if you have not, thanks Loves!

INGREDIENTS

1 Onion
3 Tomatoes
1/4 Teaspoon Cumin
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
Salt to Taste
3 Green Chillies
1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

METHOD

Add vegetable oil to pan

Add the chopped onions

Fry onions until lightly brown

Add the ginger garlic paste

Add the cayenne pepper

Add the cumin spice

Fry 2 minutes until raw garlic smell disappears

Add in the grated tomatoes

Mix and cook 2 minutes stirring

Add tomato paste

Add chopped green chillies

Add salt

Add lemon juice and stir vigorously

Cook until the oil separates from the tomato mixture

You can drain the excess oil in the pilipili to use in other dishes. It gives a very distinct delicious flavour to other dishes

PILIPILI YA KUKAANGA

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 45 Minutes
Total time: 55 Minutes
Yield: 1 Jar
Ingredients

• 1 Onion
• 3 Tomatoes
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cumin
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
• Pinch Salt
• 3 Green Chillies
• 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

Cooking Directions

1. Add vegetable oil to pan. Add the chopped onions. Fry onions until lightly brown
2. Add the ginger garlic paste. Add the cayenne pepper. Add the cumin spice. Fry 2 minutes until raw garlic smell disappears. Add in the grated tomatoes. Mix and cook 2 minutes stirring. Add tomato paste. Add chopped green chilies. Add salt. Add lemon juice and stir vigorously. Cook until the oil separates from the tomato mixture
3. You can drain the excess oil in the pili pili to use in other dishes. It gives a very distinct delicious flavour to other dishes