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Vegetarian, Africa and overseas

Sukuma wiki with eggs and ugali

Sukuma wiki is a Kenyan dish for 4 people that combines sautéed collard greens, scrambled eggs and ugali, a firm cornmeal porridge. It takes 35 minutes to make, rated very easy, and costs €1.80 per person. The key is cooking the greens quickly so they stay bright and a little crisp.

Sukuma wiki is the Kenyan dish that gets you through the week, sautéed collard greens, scrambled eggs and ugali.

Sukuma wiki with eggs and ugali
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring

Sukuma wiki starts with the greens. Thinly sliced and sautéed over high heat with no added water, they keep their bright color and real crunch, carried by a tomato, onion and turmeric sauce that adds softness and a golden hue. Soft scrambled eggs round things out with their creamy texture.

Ugali, that firm cornmeal porridge, finishes the plate and works as both a side and a scoop, just like in Kenya. It makes a great weeknight dinner when you want something simple and meat free, but it's also a nice way to try something different on a Sunday night, shared with family or friends.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Collard greens 600 g
  • Tomatoes 3
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Dairy

  • Eggs 8

Pantry

  • Fine instant cornmealoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Remove the thick stems from the greens and slice the leaves very thinly, then dice the tomatoes and mince the onions and garlic.

    Roll several leaves together and slice into thin ribbons, it's much faster.

  2. Sauté the onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of oil, add the tomatoes and turmeric and let them cook down. 8 min

    The tomatoes are ready when they've melted into a thick sauce.

  3. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper and stir fry over high heat, stirring often. 7 min

    No water needed, the greens release their own moisture and keep more flavor.

  4. Bring 1 liter of salted water to a boil, pour in the cornmeal in a steady stream while whisking, then stir with a wooden spoon until the dough thickens. 10 min

    This dough is the ugali, it should be firm enough to hold its shape on a spoon.

  5. Scramble the eggs in a pan with the remaining oil, season lightly with salt and serve with the sukuma wiki and ugali. 4 min

    Take the eggs off the heat while still a bit soft, they keep cooking on the plate.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm, dark collard greens, they hold up better to the quick sauté than wilted ones.
  • Pour the cornmeal in slowly while whisking to avoid lumps, that's the only tricky part of this recipe.
  • Make the ugali last, right before serving, since it firms up fast as it cools.

The variations

  • Swap the collard greens for kale or spinach if you can't find them.
  • For more heat, add a minced chili with the onions.
  • To save time, use instant cornmeal, which cooks in 2 minutes instead of 10.

What to serve it with

  • Spiced chai tea
  • Fresh avocado slices
  • Homemade chili sauce

Storage

Sukuma wiki keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, stored separately from the ugali. Reheat the greens in a pan for a few minutes and make the ugali fresh, since it doesn't freeze well once cooled.

Questions about this dish

Can I use rice instead of cornmeal?

Yes, though you lose the traditional ugali texture. Well cooked white rice also works to soak up the tomato sauce from the greens.

Do I need to wash the greens before slicing them?

Yes, rinse the leaves well and dry them, leftover water dilutes the cooking and stops the greens from sautéing properly over high heat.

Can I prep the greens ahead of time?

You can cook the greens and tomato sauce a few hours ahead, then reheat them. The ugali and eggs should be made just before serving though.

How do I know when the ugali is cooked enough?

The dough should pull away from the sides of the pot and form a firm ball that holds its shape on a wooden spoon. If it's still sticky, cook it one or two more minutes.

How long does it take to make a sukuma wiki with eggs and ugali?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a sukuma wiki with eggs and ugali?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a sukuma wiki with eggs and ugali cost?

About €1.80 per serving, or €7.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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