If a Spanish tortilla and a vegetarian Denver omelet had a love child, chipsi mayai (Swahili for chips and eggs) would be it. Sold at street vendors throughout the country, the omelet is Tanzania's unofficial national dish. Chipsi mayai is typically served with kachumbari, a condiment/salad reminiscent of pico de gallo.
French Fry Omelet (Chipsi Mayai)
10 ounces frozen french fries, thin or shoestring*
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large eggs
½ red onion, finely chopped
½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
1-2 jalapeños, finely chopped (optional)
1 medium tomato, cored and seeded, flesh finely chopped
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
salt and pepper
*May use homemade french fries, using 2 small potatoes. To make homemade fries, you can follow One-World Whisk's poutine recipe from Canada or that of your choice.
Cook french fries according to directions on package.
Preheat oven to 350°. (If using oven for fries, adjust the temperature to 350° after cooking and removing the fries from the oven. It's OK if they cool.)
Heat a 10-inch, oven-safe, nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the onions, lower heat to medium-low, and sauté until the onions start to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and jalapeños, if using. Cook another 5 minutes, until onions are completely soft and starting to turn golden. Remove pan from heat and stir in tomatoes. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Let cool 5 minutes.
Crack 4 eggs into a medium bowl. Whisk with a fork until fully combined. Transfer the cooked vegetables from the frying pan into the bowl with the eggs and mix to incorporate. Stir in the chopped cilantro.
Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel and return to the stove over medium heat. Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Make a layer of cooked french fries on the bottom of the skillet in a single layer. This will become the top side of the omelet when complete, so if you want, you can arrange the fries in a pattern. Cook for about 3-5 minutes without stirring, until bottom of fries start to brown.
Pour egg and vegetable mixture over top of fries, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until bottom is set. Transfer pan to oven, and cook for another 5 minutes or so, until omelet is fully cooked. Remove from oven and flip onto a plate or cutting board.
Kachumbari
½ lime
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium tomatoes, cored and seeded, diced
½ large red onion, finely chopped
2 small Persian cucumbers, diced
1-2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
1 medium cucumber, diced
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
In a small bowl, squeeze the juice from the half a lime. Mix with the honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
In a medium bowl, mix together remaining ingredients. Top with lime juice mixture and toss together. Taste for seasoning.
Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, up to two hours.
FUN FACTS:
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought in Zanzibar (one of two capital cities of Tanzania) in 1896, is the shortest war in world history. It lasted somewhere between 38 and 45 minutes.
Nearly 30% of Tanzania is national parks.
Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is home to the world’s only tree climbing lions.
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