Mkate wa Kumimina (Tanzanian Spongy Rice Cake)
Mkate wa Kumimina, also known as Mkate wa Sinia, is a beloved Tanzanian sweet rice cake. It has a wonderfully spongy texture and a subtle sweetness from coconut milk and sugar, often enhanced with cardamom. This cake is typically baked and is a popular snack or accompaniment to tea.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Long-grain rice(soaked overnight and drained)
- 1 sachet (7g) Yeast(activated in 20ml warm water with 1/2 tsp sugar)
- 1 tin (400ml) Coconut milk
- 0.75 cup Sugar(adjust to taste)
- 5-6 pods Green cardamom pods(seeds ground or pods crushed)
- 1 large Egg white(optional, for extra lightness)
- for greasing Ghee or butter
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a blender, combine the soaked and drained rice, activated yeast, coconut milk, sugar, and ground cardamom seeds. Blend until you achieve a smooth, pourable batter. You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size.
- 2
If using an egg white, whisk it lightly and gently fold it into the batter for added lightness.
- 3
Pour the batter into a greased baking pan (a round, shallow pan works well). Cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the batter has risen and become frothy.
- 4
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- 5
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown on top and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 6
Let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the rice is well-soaked for a smoother batter.
- ✓Activating the yeast properly is important for the batter to rise.
- ✓Do not overmix the batter after adding the egg white, if using.
🔄 Variations
- Add a teaspoon of rose water for a floral aroma.
- Serve with a drizzle of honey or a side of fruit.
- Some variations use a stovetop method in a pot, similar to baking.