Name: Ugali na Sukuma Wiki
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Kenya, East Africa
Ingredients: 2 cups white maize flour, fine-ground; 3 cups water; Â½ tsp salt; 1 bunch collard greens, stems removed, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 whole onion, diced; 2 whole tomatoes, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 whole green chili, sliced; Â½ tsp salt; 1 whole lemon, juiced

Ugali na Sukuma Wiki

Kenya's beloved staple of firm maize porridge served with sauteed collard greens, onions, and tomatoes.

Country

Kenya

Region

East Africa

Time

45 min

Serves

Level

easy

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Ugali na Sukuma Wiki is the heartbeat of Kenyan cuisine, eaten daily across all social classes. "Sukuma wiki" literally translates to "push the week," reflecting its role as an affordable green that stretches meals. No Kenyan table is complete without this humble yet satisfying combination.

What the dish tastes like

Kenya's beloved staple of firm maize porridge served with sauteed collard greens, onions, and tomatoes.

When to cook it

Best for everyday meals, with a easy cooking level and about 45 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Use the interactive recipe fallback or country hub to explore pairings.

Follow the collection route

Vegetarian Africa is the main AfroKitchen collection route tied to this dish right now. Vegetarian Africa

Ingredients

Boil Water

Bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add salt.

Use a heavy wooden spoon (mwiko) for stirring ugali â€” it makes a big difference.

Boil water 10:00

Make Ugali

Reduce heat to medium. Gradually add maize flour while stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture pulls away from the sides and forms a firm dough.

Press against the pot sides to test â€” it should be firm but not dry.

Cook ugali 15:00

Shape Ugali

Wet a plate and turn the ugali onto it. Shape into a dome using a wet spoon. Cover to keep warm.

Saute Aromatics

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute onions until golden, then add garlic and tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes break down.

Saute 10:00

Cook Greens

Add the sliced sukuma wiki and chili. Toss to coat with the tomato mixture. Cover and cook until wilted but still vibrant green.

Do not overcook â€” sukuma wiki should retain a slight bite and bright color.

Wilt greens 08:00

Season and Serve

Season with salt and squeeze lemon juice over the greens. Serve alongside the ugali dome.

Traditionally eaten with hands â€” pinch ugali with three fingers, make an indent, and scoop.

Ugali na Sukuma Wiki

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Step-by-step instructions

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