Brochettes are a popular street delicacy in many African countries. However, Burundi offers some of the most flavorful, particularly when cooked with specially formulated home spices and skewers from the Kebali forest!
You’ll usually encounter these spicy beefs while walking on the streets of Burundi or at busy event centers and restaurants. What makes brochettes a national favorite is the carefully curated spice mix.
Be kind to yourself and customize the spice mix to your taste and preference; however, be creative so as not to lose the Burundi feel.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Background and Origin
History records the influence of French colonization on the adoption of brochettes in Africa. The dish is also a national dish in Rwanda and East Africa. Meanwhile, in other countries, brochettes are called khebab, chichinga, or grilled meat.
The simplicity of brochettes makes them popular across the world with diverse variations.
Brochettes are also a favorite of the Middle East, mostly called kebab, dating back to the Ottoman Empire. The recipe is popular, particularly in Southern Asia, where it’s called satay and shashlik.
Also Read: Mohinga: The Soul-Warming Noodle Soup of Myanmar
How to Prepare Burundi’s Brochettes
Key Ingredients
- 470 g of beef or mutton: Beef contains high protein, which is essential for muscle growth. Red meat contains zinc, among others, which helps support a healthy immune system. The presence of creatine and vitamin B12 in red meat helps fight depression.
- 230 g dry roasted peanuts: contain essential monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that help lower bad cholesterol. The nature of digesting slowly helps control blood sugar, thereby preventing diabetes.
- 2 tbsp. Paprika: Paprika helps purify the blood and keeps the heart healthy. They help the body produce red blood cells and aid in healing wounds speedily.
- 1 tbsp ground ginger: helps to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes, helping to regulate blood sugar.
- 1 tbsp ground white pepper: helps to boost gastric acid, which aids in digestion.
- 1 tsp. Parsley: The presence of vitamins A and C and zinc in parsley helps strengthen and boost the immune system.
- 1 tbsp dry onion powder: onion contains vitamin B, C, calcium, iron and potassium, which help to treat mouth sores, heart problems, headaches, high blood sugar and even cancer
- 1 tbsp dry garlic powder: contains essential nutrients that help lower bad cholesterol and promote a healthy heart.
- 1 tsp dried bird’s eye chili: This special kind of pepper helps fight fungi, preventing diseases caused by fungi.
- 3 tbsp olive oil mixed with 1 tsp ground coriander and fine salt: Olive oil helps grow healthy bones, reduce body inflammation, and reduce cognitive decline. Also, ground coriander helps fight infections, lower blood sugar, and support a healthy brain.
- Fine salt to taste
- 10 skewers, soaked in water
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Instructions for Roasting Brochettes in 5 Steps
- Finely grind the peanuts and chili peppers using a spice grinder. Mix with the paprika, powdered ginger and garlic, parsley, white pepper, onion powder, and salt. Sift the mixture to achieve a smooth powdered spice.
- Wash and cut the beef into smaller chucks or cubes. Arrange about five to seven pieces of meat on each skewer.
- Marinate the skewed beef with the spice mixture.
- Roast over medium heat on a rack or roasted pan or oven roasting. This could take about 15 to 25 minutes to roast. While it’s roasting, brush the beef with the olive oil mixture a few times, turning the brochettes over to roast all sides.
- Garnish with chopped onions, green pepper, cucumber slices, and carrots.
Tips for Roasting Brochettes
- You can cut big chunks of onion and arrange them between each piece of beef on the skewer. Do the same with the other vegetables.
- Sprinkle some mixed spices on the brochettes after roasting for a spicy and hot feel.
- Always keep a bottle of water with you to wash down the spicy feel.
- Enjoy brochettes with hot bread, rice, or salad or add to your sauce or stew.
Read: Brunswick Stew: A Hearty Dish with Historical Roots
Conclusion
Brochettes are a traditional food in Burundi, including many countries globally. Due to its versatility, the ingredients are similar from country to country; however, the process of roasting may be different.
A creative mix of spices will give you an edge at the barbecue party!
Enjoy!
Hey, Sedi here, a content writer.
Subjects that interest her greatly are how people, lifestyle, relationships, God, technology, and communication interact, empowering and spreading positive messages. She’s an avid reader and a student of personal weekly workouts.
She holds a master’s degree in media and digital communication management.
When she’s not writing or promoting brands digitally, Sedi is busy advocating for plastic-free earth with her local NGO.
