{"id":"kachumbari_a2cddc262e","slug":"kachumbari","title":"Kachumbari","description":"A refreshing, vibrant East African tomato and onion salad that serves as the perfect cooling side dish for grilled meats, pilau, or biryani.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 large ripe tomatoes, diced","name":"Tomato","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"large, ripe","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 medium red onion, thinly sliced","name":"Red Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"red","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 cucumber, diced (optional)","name":"Cucumber","quantity":0.5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 fresh bird's eye chili, minced","name":"Bird's Eye Chili","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"minced","notes":"fresh bird's eye or habanero","group":"Spices","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped","name":"Cilantro","quantity":25,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh coriander","group":"Herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Juice of 1 lime","name":"Lime juice","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"juiced","notes":"","group":"Dressing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Dressing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dressing","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the thinly sliced red onions in a small bowl of water with a pinch of salt. Let them soak for about 10 minutes to reduce the pungency, then rinse and drain thoroughly.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the thinly sliced red onions","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, drained onions, and diced cucumber (if using).","group":"Mixing","title":"Combine the diced tomatoes, drained onions, and diced cucumber","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the minced chili, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil (if using). Toss gently to combine all ingredients.","group":"Dressing","title":"Add the minced chili, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dressing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Season with salt to taste. Serve immediately at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.","group":"Finalizing","title":"Season with salt","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Finalizing"}],"notes":"Soaking the sliced onions in salted water helps remove their sharp 'bite' while keeping them crunchy. For an authentic kick, use a Scotch Bonnet or Habanero chili.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Kenyan","Tanzanian"]},"course":["salad","side"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["mixing bowl","knife","cutting board"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb","paleo"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Prepare the vegetables but keep the lime juice and salt separate until 10 minutes before serving to prevent the salad from becoming too watery."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Best consumed within 24 hours.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkachumbari_a2cddc262e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a72e7ee3-5e51-4b76-a2f0-15a7256dff72","imageAlt":"Kachumbari — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["kachumbari","salad","east african","tomato salad","healthy","refreshing","low calorie"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Kachumbari","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:07:20.782Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:07:20.782Z","related":[{"id":"boli_cb6fb8f7eb","slug":"boli-roasted-plantain","title":"Boli (Roasted Plantain)","description":"A beloved West African street food staple consisting of sweet, ripe plantains grilled until caramelized and smoky. It is traditionally served with crunchy roasted groundnuts for the perfect balance of textures.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian","West African"]},"course":["side","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fboli_cb6fb8f7eb%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc7467a3-0e95-473a-96b4-000ff7dd6c34","imageAlt":"Boli (Roasted Plantain) — recipe cover","tags":["boli","plantain","roasted plantain","african snack","nigerian food","street food","gluten free","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_ce042211ff","slug":"hibiscus-tea-karkadeh","title":"Hibiscus Tea (Karkadeh)","description":"A tart, refreshing, and vibrant ruby-red herbal infusion made from dried hibiscus calyces, traditionally enjoyed hot or chilled throughout North Africa.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","Sudanese"]},"course":["side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ce042211ff%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1b2a5418-b5e0-4872-9d25-e33fd95f6570","imageAlt":"Hibiscus Tea (Karkadeh) — recipe cover","tags":["hibiscus","karkadeh","herbal tea","african drink","refreshing","low calorie"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":5},{"id":"kelewele_64d882f651","slug":"kelewele-spiced-fried-plantains","title":"Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantains)","description":"A classic Ghanaian street food snack featuring ripe plantains seasoned with a pungent ginger-garlic spice blend and fried until perfectly caramelized.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkelewele_64d882f651%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=94d0a5ab-eea0-47c2-8e3f-d581133b7d1e","imageAlt":"Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantains) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","street food","spicy","ghanaian","kelewele","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6}]}