Baseisei Recipes

THAI BASIL FRIED RICE

Steps:

• CHILI: Add the garlic, red chilies, and a small pinch of salt to a mortar and break it down with a pestle. You want the garlic and chilies to be completely minced; set aside.
• SAUCE: Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and white pepper to a bowl, stir to combine; set aside for now.
• EGGS: Heat a large dutch oven or wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil to the pan. Add the eggs and scramble them in the pan quickly, breaking up any large pieces. Remove to a bowl and set aside for later.
• SAUTE: Add the butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Then add the shallots and cook for 3 minutes or until softened, then add the chili paste from step 1. Cook for 30 seconds before adding the shrimp. Cook the shrimp for 30 seconds. Then add the cooked rice to the skillet. Stir everything to combine. Flatten the rice out into a thin layer and allow the rice to sizzle for 30 seconds untouched. Toss, then let sit again for 30 seconds. Alternating gives the rice time to heat through. You'll notice the rice starts to sizzle and pop in the pan.
• FINISH: Drizzle the prepared sauce over the rice, stir, and allow it to sizzle and soak into the rice. When the sauce is absorbed, add the eggs and basil. Stir to combine and allow the basil to wilt a bit. Turn off the heat and serve!

BARIIS ISKUKARIS (SOMALI-STYLE RICE)

Steps:

• Soak rice in cold water 30 to 45 minutes, then drain.
• Meanwhile, prepare the xawaash: Combine all the spices in a spice grinder and finely grind. Set aside.
• Prepare the topping: Heat olive oil in a wide, deep pot over medium-high heat and add the onions, stirring occasionally until translucent. Add raisins and allow to soften, about 2 minutes, then add red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and set aside on a paper towel.
• In the same pot, make the rice: Heat 1/2 cup oil. Add onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves and xawaash and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Stir in stock and rice. Bring to boil, then cover and cook on low heat 20 minutes. Stir in saffron and raisins and season to taste with salt. Cover, turn off heat and steam for 5 more minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, using a large spoon to pile rice in a heap onto a platter. Sprinkle topping over rice and serve.

BASEISEI

Steps:

• Choose only taro stalks that are pinkish end white. Peel off the outside skin.
• Cut the stalks into pieces 10 centimetres (4 inches) long.
• Drop the stalks into boiling wafer, coyer with lid and boil for 2 minutes.
• Strain the stalks and throw out the cooking water. Put the cooked stalks into a bowl of cold water. When they cool, drain water off.
• Shred the stalks along their length into thin strips, using a fork.
• Mix together the lemon juice, coconut cream, spring onion and chilli and pour mixture over the taro stalks.
• Serve with tinned fish.