Easy Ways To Prepare Kenyan Uji Ya Wimbi

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.

We show you how to cook millet porridge the original and fermented way.

Related: Soya na Ngano Wet Fry

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!

Uji ya wimbi is an East African cuisine, specifically from Kenya.
Plain Wimbi

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.

And if you like recipes like these Kenyan food recipes, you can try more millet based porridge foods like this buttery Motogo wa ting
Millet porridge with nutmeg

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!  Curious about a no-animal-meat food lifestyle? Check out our Instagram page for real-life inspirations .

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