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Nyama choma
Kenyan slow-grilled goat or beef with kachumbari and ugali
Nyama choma, "roasted meat" in Swahili, is the centre of every weekend gathering in Kenya: at roadside joints on the edge of Nairobi you choose your goat ribs or beef by the kilo, it is grilled slowly over charcoal, chopped on a wooden board and brought to the table with salt, kachumbari (tomato and onion salad) and ugali. The meat is meant to be firm and chewy, smoky and simply salted. The mistake is grilling over fierce flames; the outside chars before the inside is tender, so keep it over glowing coals and turn it often. Chef's tip: leg of goat or lamb on the bone is easiest at home; rub it with salt and a little lemon only.
- Total time
- 110 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the meat
For the kachumbari
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Rub 4 lb goat or lamb leg or ribs with 2 tsp coarse salt, 1 lemon and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Leave in the fridge for 1–4 hours, then take it out 30 minutes before cooking.
60 minStep 2: Light a charcoal barbecue and let the coals burn down to an even grey glow, with no flames. Bank the coals to one side.
Step 3: Put the meat on the cooler side, cover and cook for 60–75 minutes, turning every 15 minutes, until well browned. Move to the hot side for the last 10 minutes to crisp the outside.
85 minStep 4: Check the thickest part next to the bone: 145°F for juicy and slightly pink, 160°F for well done as most Kenyans prefer it. Rest under foil for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 5: While it cooks, mix 4 ripe tomatoes, 1 red onion, 1 green chilli, ½ oz coriander, 1 lime and ½ tsp salt for the kachumbari. Leave for 10 minutes so the onion softens.
Step 6: Chop the meat into bite-size pieces on a board and serve with kachumbari, ugali and extra salt for dipping.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Protein
- 46 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 30 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does nyama choma take?
- About 110 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 90 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 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 lemon?
- Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).
- What can I use instead of ripe tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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