Kwanzaa--Creating New Traditions for Ancient Concepts

Here is a recipe for a traditional chicken dish enjoyed by families during Kwanzaa. Most African American families try to serve African dishes during the week-long celebration.

Chicken Yassa

2 frying chickens, cut into 8 pieces

2 cups lemon juice, strained

6 large onions, finely chopped

4 fresh hot chilis, finely chopped

3-1/2 tablespoons peanut oil

1-1/2 cups water

1 teaspoon ground ginger

salt and pepper to taste

Mix the lemon juice, onions, half the chopped chilis, ginger, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil to create a marinade. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the marinade over all. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Remove the chicken from the marinade (save marinade), place in a shallow baking dish and broil until lightly browned. Remove the onions from the marinade with a slotted spoon and cook in the remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons peanut oil in a Dutch oven for about 5 minutes or until soft; do not brown.

Add the marinade, chicken, water and the rest of the chopped chilis. Stir and simmer about 20 minutes or until the chicken is well cooked. Serve over hot rice. Serves 12 (taken from The Complete Kwanzaa by Dorothy Winbush Riley).

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic