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Maraq digaag
Chicken and vegetable stew
Light Somali chicken and vegetable stew with xawaash
Maraq digaag is the gentle chicken stew Somali mothers make on ordinary weekdays, and the one people ask for when they are unwell: chicken simmered with potato, carrot, tomato and green pepper in a light broth fragrant with xawaash and garlic. It is served with rice, canjeero or bread for dipping. The mistake is boiling it hard, which makes the chicken stringy; keep it at a lazy simmer. Chef's tip: stir in chopped coriander and a little lemon at the end to lift the broth.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken thighsbone in, skin removed
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onionchopped
- 3 garlic clovescrushed
- 2 tsp xawaash spice mix
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tomatoeschopped
- 2 potatoesin chunks
- 2 carrotssliced
- 1 green pepperdiced
- 1 ¼ tsp salt
- 3 cups water
- 3 tbsp chopped coriander
- ½ lemonjuiced
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pot over a medium heat. Cook 1 onion for 5 minutes, then add 3 garlic cloves, 2 tsp xawaash spice mix, ½ tsp ground turmeric and 1 tbsp tomato paste and stir for 1 minute.
6 minStep 2: Add 2 lb chicken thighs and turn it in the spices for 3 minutes. Add 2 tomatoes, 3 cups water and 1 ¼ tsp salt and bring to a gentle boil.
5 minStep 4: Add 1 green pepper and cook for 5 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F and the meat pulls from the bone.
5 minStep 5: Stir in 3 tbsp chopped coriander and ½ lemon and serve with rice or canjeero.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does maraq digaag take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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