Recipe of the Quarter

7/30/2023

Chipsi mayai (Swahili for "chips and eggs"), also known as zege, is the most popular street food in Tanzania, and is the unofficial national dish. The dish was invented in the streets of Dar es Salaam. In its most basic form, chipsi mayai is a simple potato and egg omelet. It is available in all regions of Tanzania, from the most remote villages to large towns.

Yield: two omelets

Ingredients  
For the Chips/ French fries:
3 medium potatoes
oil for deep frying or for oven baked chips (or use frozen French fries)

For the Omelette:

4 large eggs
1 medium tomato finely chopped
1 small onion finely chopped
¼ cup fresh coriander chopped
1-2 green chillis finely chopped, optional
2 tbsp oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper powder

For the Kachumbari:

1 medium onion finely chopped
2 tomatoes finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp red chilli powder
¼ tsp pepper powder

Instructions
 
Preparation of the Chips/ French Fries:

Peel the potatoes and cut into long wedges not too thick or too thin.
Keep the cut potatoes in water until required.
Heat oil for deep frying in a wok or kadai.
Remove the chopped potatoes from the water, pat them dry on a kitchen towel.
Add to the oil slowly and fry until done.
Keep the chips on paper towels until required.

Preparation of the kachumbari:

Mix the chopped coriander, tomato and onion in a bowl.
Add salt, chilli powder and lemon juice and mix well.

Preparation of the Zege/ Chipsi Mayai:

Mix chopped onion, tomato, coriander and chilis in a bowl.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a small frying pan. 
Break two eggs in another bowl. Add ¼ tsp salt and whisk it.
Add half the chopped onion tomato mixture it in and whisk again.
When the oil is hot add half the amount of chips to the pan, making a thin layer.
Let it cook a bit until crispy.
Pour the omelet mixture over the chips and lower the heat.
Cover the frying pan and let the omelet cook.
When you see the edges are beginning to curl up slightly, very carefully flip it over.
Let it cook for a few seconds and serve immediately with some kachumbari.
Prepare the second omelet in the same way.

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