Video: How Mashed Potatoes Ugali Preparation Method Irked Kenyans

Gospel hip-hop artiste turned chef Holy Dave has faced backlash for ‘reinventing’ ugali with a potato recipe.

Holy Dave’s recipe divided Kenyans. Photos: @thenairobireport. Source: UGC

What is nguja matu?

According to social media users, Holy Dave’s video on how to cook ugali using potatoes as an ingredient was atrocious.

They said the dish is not new since it is a staple food among communities living in potato-growing areas, especially in the Rift Valley and Central Kenya.

The celebrity chef’s potato and maize flour blend is made by slowly cooking onions and tomatoes in olive oil until they are richly brown.

Peeled potatoes and a pinch of salt and water are added to the pot and covered.

The water is boiled and simmered until the potatoes turn soft. Once cooked, the potatoes are mashed.

Maize flour is added in small potions while stirring the mixture with a cooking stick to achieve the preferred consistency.

When ready, the ugali is served with stew, scrambled eggs or vegetables. Kenyans who only make ugali using maize flour decried the recipe change and called on Holy Dave to revert to the original dish.

Richiesmallkid:

“Your tribe and Irish potatoes. How does it taste?

Naomipaul23:

“Yeah, been having my ugali mix with mashed potatoes. I don’t know about seasoning the potatoes, though.”

Fad_quid:

“We only know the recipe from the Luhya community.”

_8rant:

“I don’t want to know its name. Stop spoiling ugali.”

_wi.nn_ie:

“What new recipe? Kikuyus have been cooking nguja matu for the longest time.”

What is bolibo ugali?

The recipe rekindles the backlash that bolibo ugali stirred in late 2023.

First shared in a popular Facebook group, the bolibo method involves heating maize flour until it releases a sweet aroma.

Water, which is separately boiled, is then added to the flour.

The mixture is then stirred until the desired texture and consistency is achieved.