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Zanzibar (Tanzania)
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Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
650kcal
36gProtein
72gCarbs
28gFat
3gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Zanzibar Biryani
How to order / say it
Say it
Biryani ya Zanzibar — [bee-ree-yah-nee yah zan-zi-bar]
Order
I'd like the Zanzibar Biryani, please.
Locally
Naomba biryani ya Zanzibar, tafadhali.
Say locally
A fragrant rice dish cooked with spices and meat, often chicken or beef.
Why try it?
Deeply rooted in the history of Zanzibari merchants, the biryani exemplifies the fusion of Indian and Zanzibari cuisines. Its preparation and communal nature reflect the social and familial bonds in island culture.
How it tastes
Fragrant and savory, the dish is rich from a generous blend of spices like saffron, cardamom, and cloves. The meat is tender, complementing the fluffy and aromatic rice, creating a burst of flavor with each bite.
Origin & History — first documented: 1850
Introduced by Indian traders in the 19th century, biryani became a Zanzibari staple by adapting the Indian recipe with local spices and preparation methods. It grew popular due to its flavorful profile suited for local festive gatherings.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 300 g basmati rice
- 🥩 300 g chicken
- 🥛 100 g yogurt
- 🧄 1 large onion
- 🧂 1 teaspoon saffron
- 🧂 4 pods cardamom
- 🧂 5 cloves
- 🧂 1 cinnamon stick
- 🌿 2 tablespoons coriander leaves
Method
- 1 Marinate chicken with yogurt and spices for 1 hour.
- 2 Fry onions until golden brown and set aside.
- 3 Cook chicken in oil, adding marinated spices.
- 4 Layer cooked chicken and fried onions with partially cooked rice, finish cooking on low heat.
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