10+ Djibouti Recipes to Savor the Flavors of the Horn of Africa

Djibouti, a small nation on the Horn of Africa, has a rich culinary tradition that reflects its diverse culture and history. Exploring Djiboutian recipes offers a delightful way to experience the unique flavors of the region. From aromatic spices to hearty ingredients, Djiboutian dishes are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

As you dive into this collection of recipes, you’ll discover dishes that are not only delicious but also easy to prepare at home. Djiboutian cuisine brings together influences from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, making it a fascinating journey for any food lover.

Skoudehkaris

Skoudehkaris is a tasty dish from Djibouti, often considered the national dish. It features rice cooked with lamb, spices, and tomatoes. You can also use chicken, beef, or fish if you prefer.

The dish is known for its rich flavors. Spices like cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper give it a warm kick. It’s a one-pot meal that is simple to make but impressive enough to share with friends or family.

To enjoy Skoudehkaris, start by cooking the meat until tender. Then, add the spices and rice before slowly cooking everything together.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lamb (or chicken/beef/fish)
• ½ cup long-grained white rice
• 1 onion (peeled and chopped)
• 1 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Additional spices as desired

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot and sauté chopped onion until golden.
2. Add meat and cook until browned.
3. Stir in spices, mixing well.
4. Add rice and enough water to cover. Season with salt.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until rice is cooked.

Yassa Djibouti

Yassa Djibouti is a flavorful chicken dish popular in the region. It features marinated chicken that is cooked to perfection with onions and a tangy sauce.

Start by marinating your chicken with a mixture of lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and spices. This really enhances the flavor. You can let it marinate for several hours, or even overnight for the best taste.

Once marinated, cook the chicken slowly with sliced onions until tender. The onions caramelize, adding sweetness to the dish. Serve Yassa with rice or bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 4-6 onions, sliced
• 8 tablespoons lemon juice
• 8 tablespoons vinegar
• 4 tablespoons mustard
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken with lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper for at least 6 hours.
2. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
3. Add the onions and cook until soft and golden.
4. Add the marinated chicken to the pan and cook until fully cooked (about 30-40 minutes).
5. Serve hot with rice or bread.

Djiboutian Lentil Stew

Djiboutian Lentil Stew is a flavorful and filling dish. It combines lentils with a mix of spices and vegetables, making it a nutritious option for any meal.

To prepare this stew, you start by cooking onions, garlic, and tomatoes in a pot. Then, add your lentils along with vegetable broth and spices like cumin and coriander. These ingredients create a rich and aromatic base.

As the stew simmers, the lentils soften, and the flavors meld together. You can add spinach or kale for extra nutrients and color. Once ready, serve it hot with rice or bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 2 cups spinach or kale (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft.
2. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.
3. Stir in the lentils and spices.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
6. Add spinach or kale, if using, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

4) Soupe de Poisson

Soupe de Poisson is a traditional fish stew popular in Djiboutian cuisine. This flavorful dish combines fresh fish with aromatic herbs and spices. It’s perfect for warming up on a chilly evening.

To make this stew, you start by heating olive oil in a pot. Then, add chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Let them cook until soft and fragrant.

Next, you add your choice of fish and let it simmer. The combination of ingredients creates a rich and comforting meal. Serve it hot with some bread for dipping.

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced onions
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb (450 g) fresh fish
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups fish stock

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add the diced onions and garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the red bell pepper and cook for another 3 minutes.
4. Add the fish and fish stock, then simmer until the fish is cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.

5) Lahoh Bread

Lahoh, sometimes spelled laxoox or canjeero, is a soft, spongy flatbread popular in Djibouti and Somalia. Its unique texture comes from fermentation, giving it a light and airy feel.

You can enjoy lahoh for breakfast, often paired with yogurt or drizzled with ghee. It’s very versatile and can be used with various dishes throughout the day.

Making lahoh is fairly simple. You will need basic ingredients such as flour, water, and yeast. With a little practice, you can create perfectly cooked lahoh that has a deliciously chewy texture and holes throughout.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 ½ cups water
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
2. Gradually add water, stirring until smooth.
3. Let the mixture sit for about 1 hour to ferment.
4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
5. Pour a ladle of batter into the skillet and cook until bubbles form (2-3 minutes).
6. Serve warm. Enjoy your delicious lahoh!

6) Harira Soup

Harira soup is a hearty and delicious dish popular in Djibouti and other regions. It combines tomatoes, lentils, and chickpeas with warm spices for a comforting meal. This soup is often made during Ramadan and can be enjoyed at any time.

To prepare Harira, start by gathering fresh ingredients. You will want to have a mix of spices ready, such as ginger and cinnamon, to add flavor. You can also include meat or keep it vegetarian with vegetable stock.

Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 large tomatoes
• 1 large onion
• 1 stalk of celery
• ¾ cup dried chickpeas
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon smen (optional)
• 1½ teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 cups of water or stock

Cooking Instructions:

1. Puree the tomatoes and set them aside.
2. Grate the onion and finely chop the celery.
3. In a pot, combine the pureed tomatoes, onion, celery, and spices.
4. Add in chickpeas and cook on medium for about an hour.
5. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and cilantro.

7) Maraq Digaag

Maraq Digaag is a flavorful Somali chicken stew that’s perfect for any occasion. With tender chicken and a mix of spices, you’re in for a comforting meal. This dish is commonly served with rice or bread.

To make Maraq Digaag, you start with fresh ingredients. Onions, tomatoes, and a blend of spices like cumin and turmeric give it a rich taste. You can also add vegetables like potatoes and carrots for extra nutrition.

Cooking this dish is a warm experience as the aroma fills your kitchen. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of Somali cuisine in your own home.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine chicken, onion, potatoes, and carrots.
2. Add tomatoes, garlic, spices, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients.
4. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked, about 30-45 minutes (175-190°F or 80-88°C).

8) Mandazi

Mandazi are delicious, deep-fried treats popular in Djibouti and other East African countries. They are slightly sweet and flavored with cardamom, giving them a unique taste.

To make Mandazi, you’ll need simple ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, and coconut milk. These ingredients come together to create a soft dough that puffs up beautifully when fried.

The best part about Mandazi is their fluffy texture and wonderful aroma, making them perfect for snacking anytime. You won’t be able to eat just one!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cardamom.
2. Add coconut milk and mix until a dough forms.
3. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Cut into triangles.
5. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a frying pan.
6. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
7. Remove and let drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

9) Bariis Iskukaris

Bariis Iskukaris is a delicious Somali rice dish that you can make in one pot. This meal is full of flavor, combining rice with spices, vegetables, and your choice of meat or chicken.

To prepare, you start by frying onions and garlic in oil. Then, you add spices like cinnamon and cumin, along with chopped tomatoes. Finally, mix in the rice and the meat of your choice.

This dish is not just tasty; it’s also easy to clean up since you only use one pot. Enjoy this comforting meal with your family or friends.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 4 cups water or broth
• Salt to taste
• 1 pound meat or chicken, cut into pieces

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and garlic; cook until soft.
3. Stir in the cinnamon and cumin; cook for 1 minute.
4. Add tomatoes and meat; cook until meat is browned.
5. Rinse the rice and add to the pot.
6. Pour in water; bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
8. Fluff rice and serve warm.

10) Nashif

Nashif is a delicious dish that features meat cooked with spices. It has a lovely balance of flavors and is often enjoyed with bread. Many people like to make it during the colder months.

The term “nashif” means dry with a little gravy, making it a hearty meal. You can prepare it easily and share it with family and friends. It’s perfect for gatherings or picnics.

You can experiment with different meats, but lamb is a popular choice. Adding spices like cumin or coriander enhances the taste. You might also want to include some vegetables to make it even richer.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) lamb, cut into pieces
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Water, as needed

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat.

2. Add the onions and garlic. Sauté them until they’re soft.

3. Add the lamb and brown it on all sides.

4. Stir in the spices, salt, and pepper.

5. Add enough water to cover the meat.

6. Simmer the meat on low heat for about 1 hour or until it’s tender.

7. Serve the dish warm with bread.