OMENA IN COCONUT SAUCE

There is just something about coconut that makes food that much more delicious. Add to omena and you have a perfect match made in foodie heaven. I do not understand why most people do not like omena. I have heard some say that whenever they cook them, they taste bitter, others say they do not like the smell especially when cooking, and there are those who remove the head before cooking! This was from a friend of mine who was sleeping in the hostels at university. Since most students preferred to cook for themselves in the dorm, literally every hallway had the smell of omena cooking! She hates this food to this day! All I can say is that it all depends on how you cook. This recipe will certainly change your mind, hopefully hers too. What has been your experience with this dish? Good or bad, let me know in the comments.

OMENA FISH - KENYAN FOOD STORY

Today I bring you a Kenyan Traditional Food - Omena Fish. Omena is a silver Cyprinid, a species of ray finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. I know I'm taking you back to class but there's no simpler translation of Omena. So lets just say it's a small fish that resembles Sardines. Omena Fish is mostly found in Lake Victoria which is in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This small fish has survived the test of time and has been available in many Kenyans' tables from generation to generation. I tell you Omena will out live us! Fishing has been an old way of life for many Kenyan households especially those living around Lakes and the Ocean.You will find fishermen early in the morning with their nightly catch already selling at the Lake side and Sea shore.In Kenya the town that is most associated with Omena fishing is Kisumu that is just next to the Lake. Omena is fish that is dried in the sun and preserved with salt. When cooking Omena Fish there are those who insist on cooking it just like that, but a bit of soaking especially with warm water just for a few minutes is okay so as to reduce sodium intake. I like cooking my Omena Fish 'dry fry' where you just fry your Onions, Tomatoes, add salt, cooking oil and any spice of your choice and just tossing for a bit to coat everything. But if I am cooking for many I have to add a little liquid to make the soup. When you go to an eating place, what we call "kibanda" or "kibandaski" and hear someone ordering "kisumu boys" just know they are ordering Omena Fish. This particular Omena Fish is one that is deep fried and then preserved with salt, that is why it is oily like that, otherwise sun dried Omena Fish is usually a bit dull and dry.