Power Ugali with Spicy Sukuma & Honey Yogurt Chai

About this meal

A hearty breakfast combining fortified maize ugali, a spicy-sweet sukuma wiki (collard greens) sautéed with tomato and beef, paired with a sweet-savory honey yogurt chai. This balanced breakfast leverages traditional East African flavors, nutrient density, and protein—perfect for supporting weight gain and hormonal health.

Ingredients

• Maize flour (Unga wa Ngano/Maize) — 1 cup
• Water — 2 cups
• Pinch of salt — to taste
• Beef, lean (cubed) — 100g
• Sukuma wiki (collard greens), chopped — 2 cups
• Fresh tomato, diced — 1 medium
• Red onion, chopped — 0.5 medium
• Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
• Ginger, minced — 1 tsp
• Fresh chili pepper, sliced — to taste
• Sunflower or olive oil — 1.5 tbsp
• Black pepper — 0.5 tsp
• Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free) — 1/2 cup
• Honey — 1 tbsp
• Black tea leaves — 1 tsp
• Cinnamon stick — 1 small
• Cardamom pods — 3
• Water (for chai) — 1 cup

Steps

1. Prepare Ugali: Boil 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt. Gradually stir in maize flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Reduce heat and stir/press with a wooden spoon until thick and cooked (~8 minutes). Cover and let rest off heat for 2 minutes.
2. Cook Sukuma Beef: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, sauté onion with ginger and garlic until soft. Add beef and brown on all sides. Add tomato, sukuma wiki, chili, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until beef is done and greens are wilted but vibrant (about 10 minutes).
3. Make Honey Yogurt Chai: Boil 1 cup water with tea leaves, cinnamon, and cardamom for 3 minutes. Strain and let cool slightly. Whisk honey into yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free) and stir in the spiced tea to create a creamy, mildly sweet chai smoothie.
4. Plate: Serve generous slices of ugali beside the sukuma beef. Pour honey yogurt chai into a glass.