Thumpy Rose There is nothing like a good whole food plant based breakfast to start your day. And there are so many best plant based foods to choose from, but might we suggest Uji ya wimbi? Yes? Great! Uji ya wimbi is an East African cuisine, specifically from Kenya. Translated, it means millet porridge. There are many methods of making it, as many Kenyan food recipes are made to suit their different Kenyan cultures. Stick around, and let us show you how to cook millet porridge the original and fermented way.
East African cuisine
East African food can go from simple to so flavorful you’ll be looking for more of their best plant based food recipes. Some are so good, you’ll want to just dig in with your bare hands (don’t worry, it’s a normal practice in Kenya) but Uji ya wimbi may be better eaten with a spoon. It is just one of the many whole food plant based breakfast and everyday meals that we bring to you. For example, check out the Eritrean lasagna with Ethiopian spice or this Kasha recipe.
The diversity of Kenyan food recipes
Like we mention in our article on Kenya’s Chai ya mkandaa (see, we’ve got you when it comes to exploring East African cuisine), Kenya has many diverse recipes. Perfectly spiced and seasoned. But today’s best plant based food is a little more simple. Uji ya wimbi can be made with two ingredients: millet flour and water. Variations include adding some lemon juice, milk, butter, and of course sugar for a little sweetness. How is that for a quick and easy whole food plant based breakfast?
Video Guide
What Does Uji Ya Wimbi Taste Like? Non-fermented Uji or Wimbi taste lightly nutty and slightly earthy. Basically, millet does not have a strong taste: it is one of the most airy grains I’ve tasted and is filling. When you make non-fermented Uji and decide to add butter, or plant milk, or other fragrant spices, flavors of those things you add will come to the forefront. That is how light and airy millet porridge is. In contrast, fermented Uji has a sweet aroma (this shocked me too!) and it tastes like diet sourdough bread 🙂. I understand that is a strange way to describe it but it’s true!
Why you need a good ol’ whole food plant based breakfast
Millet flour is, of course, made from millet. It is a grain product with carbohydrates, as well as some key vitamins and minerals. But properties are changed depending on how they are prepared. For example, are they milled or unmilled? You can read more on grains like millet here, and gain a better understanding of what it is you are putting into your body.
Still, here is a rundown of the health benefits Uji ya wimbi may have to offer:
Millet- A popular food for animals, and humans. In your best plant based food breakfasts you need some carbs, protein, and minerals. And millet offers all of the above. In fact, it ranks 7th on our ranking of protein in ancient grains (the list is from least to most). Millet is gluten free, so it is suitable for many diets and preferences. Its mineral content includes manganese, which, according to studies, plays a role in blood sugar regulation. It is also high in amino acids, which helps improve your mood. Now doesn’t this sound like a great way to start your day? That’s why we want to show you how to cook millet porridge! And if you like recipes like these Kenyan food recipes, you can try more millet based porridge foods like this buttery Motogo wa ting from the south.
Water- There are way too many health benefits tied to water to list here… when consumed in the right amounts, that is. From skincare, to basic bodily functions. Sadly, health professionals may not be too pleased if you count the amount of water used in cooking Uji ya wimbi as part of your recommended daily water intake. But here’s a little motivation for anyone watching their calories: Research concluded that drinking 2 liters of water a day can help you lose 100 calories!
The time has come: how to cook millet porridge
Now that you have a little background on this simple and healthy East African cuisine, it is time to learn how to cook millet porridge. We are giving you two different methods on how to make it, and you can let us know which one you like best in the comment section. Enjoy your breakfast!
Healthy Kenyan Uji ya wimbi (Millet flour porridge)
Various Kenyan tribes have their own specific names for Uji ya wimbi, which translates to millet porridge and is one of the top breakfast Kenyan food recipes. This is an East African cuisine that is usually enjoyed for breakfast, it is easy to make, tasty, filling and healthy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of millet flour
- 4 cups of water
- Sweetener (as desired)
- Milk (optional and as desired)
Instructions
Instructions on how to cook Non-fermented millet porridge
- Place a pot on the stove and set to low heat.
- Put a cup of water in the pot and allow it to heat up.
- Once the water is warm, place ⅓ cup of millet flour into the water and stir gently.
- You will notice the millet flour will begin to thicken, so add gradually add water to the mixture while stirring continuously.
- Bring the porridge to the boil, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Once the millet porridge is to your desired consistency, take off the heat and pour into a bowl.
- Season this East African cuisine with butter, milk and lemon (optional) as well as a sweetener of your choice. (Lemon is added to attain the fermented taste)
- Serve while warm and enjoy your uji ya wimbi, one of the top kenyan food recipes!
Fermented Uji ya wimbi
Wondering how to cook millet porridge the fermented way? Read on to learn how to make this best plant based food!
Ingredients
⅔ cup millet flour
4 cups water
Sweetener (optional)
Milk (optional)
Instructions
- Measure ⅔ cups of millet flour into a container.
- Add 1 cup of water to mix with the millet flour.
- Close the container, ensure it is tightly sealed in an airtight container and set aside to ferment for 3 days.
- After 3 days, remove the lid from the container. Sour smell and foam at the top is normal.
- Drain the water from the uji ya wimbi (optional).
- Add 1 cup of water to low heat, and pour in the fermented uji ya wimbi.
- Bring to the boil and stir gently with a whisk and add water gradually until the millet porridge is at your desired consistency.
- Cook for 5 minutes, and afterwards, take off the heat and pour the porridge into a bowl.
- Season this East African cuisine with butter and your desired sweetener, as well as a milk of your choice (all are optional).
- Serve while warm and enjoy your uji ya wimbi as a whole food plant based breakfast!
Notes
Uji ya wimbi is a delicious, hearty and filling porridge that is often enjoyed as a breakfast meal. With only a few ingredients and short cooking time, it is easy to see why it is a favorite!
Be sure to give this meal a try, and make sure to share your pictures of your millet porridge on our social media @Humveg.
