Some like it hot, some African traditional, others with a touch of Asia. These three recipes are the bestsellers in Fumba Town’s first kiosk restaurant which has been serving the community since 2018.

Paulina Mayala, 28, born and raised in Zanzibar, is executive chef of the popular Kwetu Kwenu – Swahili for “my place is your place” -  in Fumba Town (meanwhile, read more about the new Kwetu Kwenu Chill on the following page). She started her journey in Fumba three and a half years ago with a lot of enthusiasm and passion for cooking – and without any culinary studies.  “The owners of Kwetu Kwenu, Franko and Bernadette, helped me a lot”, Paulina says. “They have a beautiful way to empower people and to see potential and talent, and give people a chance to take their lives to another level.” Paulina’s best selling dishes at Kwetu Kwenu are Thai cashew chicken, Juicy Lucy beef burger and the famous Kwetu Kwenu brownies – cosmopolitan country kitchen made in Fumba.

Thai Cashew chicken

Chicken breast, onions, garlic, ginger, carrot, red and yellow pepper, zucchini (or any other fresh veggies)

What makes this recipe outstanding, is the way Paulina prepares the chicken, tossing the pieces of chicken breast in some flour and baking powder. Then she deep-fries the pieces of chicken in hot oil. The same procedure of deep-frying applies to the cashew pieces, until they become golden brown. Saute the veggies, starting with some onion, garlic and ginger, and add pieces of carrot, red and yellow pepper and zucchini, until they become golden brown. Then Paulina adds some special homemade Thai sauce to mix with all the ingredients to give the special Asian flavour.

Juicy Lucy beef burger

1kg of minced meat, 6 egg yolk, margarine 200g (frozen), bread crumbs 300g, Onions 2 (chopped), Carrot 1 (chopped), salt and pepper, garlic, 6 burger buns from Eat Zanzibar

Depending how “meaty” you want your burger, add more carrots, says Paulina. Some chefs use the whole egg, but she prefers to add only the yolk. Mix all well, form “flatties'' or more rounded burgers and keep in the fridge for at least half an hour before frying. Simple but cosmopolitan: Island treats by Kwetu Kwenu

Kwetu Kwetu Brownies

Sugar 300g, flour 75g, Cocoa 75, butter 225g, dark chocolate 225g, Egg 4 pcs fully

Stir and knead everything for 3 minutes, fill in forms and bake for 30 minutes at 180 degrees. Tastes fumbalicious for breakfast, afternoon tea or at parties, success guaranteed.