Comoros

Comoros is tiny. This volcanic archipelago floats between Madagascar and Mozambique. Loads of tourists visit this Muslim country where their top exports are vanilla, cloves, and copra (the dried meat of coconuts -- used for coconut oil). Our tasty dinner was coconut chicken -- super easy and delicious, flavored with turmeric, tomato, coconut milk, and cumin. Mkatra siniya was a challenge! This traditional "cake" is gluten free and vegan. It's made by pureeing soaked rice with coconut milk, then adding yeast, cardamom, vanilla, and in some recipes, ground fresh coconut. It's often cooked first on the stove top and finished in the oven. I opted for all the baking time in the oven. The texture is like a compressed rice pudding. Strange, but compelling.

10/13/20