Kuku Paka

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Its fun name to say,isn’t it? Reminds me of Lion King’s song ‘Hakuna Matata”.Its African

I have noticed something interesting researching African cuisine.It sounds all too familiar.It has immense Indian influence.May be that’s why i am so drawn to it.Usage of curry is very common there.So is Ghee.Coastal African region use tropical fruits and fish heavily in cooking,just like Indian coastal region do.

Coconut trees in coastal India(Photo:Rita S.)

Coconut is very popular in South Indian cuisine,particularly the coastal Kerala,Tamilnadu, Andhra region.I however didn’t grew up with coconut in North.May be thats why,cooking with coconut does not come to me naturally.I am not very fond of coconut smell in savory dishes.Same goes with my husband too.So i was taking big chance with this dish.I used the coconut milk,just enough that we can eat it without smelling it.

“Kuku” means chicken in Swahili.“Paka” i am not sure.What i can tell though this is chicken curry cooked in coconut milk.Kenyan Coconut Chicken Curry.It is cooked in Ghee as well as oil.I have noticed the addition of potatoes to the dish too.I didn’t use the potatoes though my son would have appreciated that starchy tuberous addition to the protein

Dish did have subtle coconut smell to it and you will notice it if you are looking for it,like i did.My husband and kids didn’t had any problem eating it.So even if i have cooked this chicken with similar set of spices before without coconut milk,it is kind of fun to eat it under new name and think about those people in Easter African Coastal region.I also thought of people living in coastal India.Such a fusion of culture which i love !

Kuku Paka|handfulfofjoy.com