On the Hunt
By Andrew Zimmern
No disrespect to all the Ethiopian restaurateurs in town, but injera and wot only goes so far, and after eating my way across East Africa, I can tell you that a Maasai (yes, that’s how they spell it themselves) meat camp restaurant would do well in Minnesota.
A meat camp is a weeklong Maasai getaway where the young warriors learn spear throwing, fire building, and meat butchery from the elders. On the first day, you build the camp in the jungle, including your protective shelter from the lions, hyenas, and cheetahs, and then you kill a goat, a sheep, and a cow and start roasting. You drink a bowl of broth made with local herbs to increase your appetite, and you string out all the primal cuts on green wood and slowly roast by an open fire, eating as you go. I think that concept would do well here.
Check out the photos.
© 2008 MSP Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
Andrew-
Great item! Locally, you might want to check out Tam Tam on the West Bank -great food and the owner/chef Stephen is a doll. Also the only local source of Kenyan Tusker beer I am aware of. Ask for him and he will be happy to make you a chef's choice sampling. The menu is Pan African. Speaking of which-I am producing a Pan African fest in Mpls. Aug. 6-11 if you are longing for some more African culture: www.demomn.org
Posted by: Rachel on July 24, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Looks great. Reminds me of the piece you did in South America where they had the BBQ outside with all the food on sticks around a fire pit.
I am sure a concept like that would go over well here. Except maybe the goat killing part. I guess you could always simulate that with a goat pinyata. :-)
Posted by: davecamaro on July 24, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I suppose that PETA is not welcome there, lol. Looks fabulous. I'm very envious here ... did you participate, even though you're not a tall, young, virile African warrior?
Posted by: Irene King on July 25, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I had a similar feast when I studied with the Maasai in Tanzania. These pastoralists know what they are doing. We had roasted goat that was cooked in a similar manner with a nice lentil accompaniment. Once I got over watching the slaughter I was ready to do battle with some nicely roasted ribs and a even sampled a bit of the leg - the best part is right above the hoof!
Posted by: Hungryinsw on July 25, 2008 at 1:35 PM
This was a great post! Does anyone know of any Tanzanian restaurants in the Twin Cities or other African restaurants with a Tanzanian influence?
Looking to host an event to support the IMAGE Project (www.imagetanzania.org) - an organization working to provide educational and economic opportunities to females in the Maasai tribe. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!
Posted by: Molly on August 11, 2008 at 2:20 PM