🥞🥥 Vibibi (Swahili Coconut Rice Pancakes)

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Vibibi are soft, slightly sweet, and lightly crispy rice pancakes made with coconut milk. Popular in Zanzibar and along the Swahili coast, they’re often enjoyed at breakfast or with evening tea.

📝 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice (soaked for 4–6 hours or overnight)

  • 1 cup coconut milk (thick and creamy)

  • ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)

  • 1 egg

  • ½ teaspoon dry yeast

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional but traditional)

  • A pinch of salt

  • 2–3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, helps with binding)

  • Warm water (as needed, for blending)

  • Oil or ghee (for greasing the pan)

👩🏽‍🍳 Instructions:

🔹 Step 1: Soak the Rice

  1. Wash the rice thoroughly, then soak it in water for at least 4 hours or overnight until soft.

🔹 Step 2: Blend the Batter

  1. Drain the soaked rice and blend with coconut milk, sugar, egg, yeast, salt, cardamom, and a little warm water until smooth and slightly thick (like pancake batter).

  2. If the batter is too runny, add 1–2 tablespoons of flour. Blend again to combine.

🔹 Step 3: Let the Batter Rise

  1. Pour the batter into a large bowl, cover it, and leave it in a warm place for 1–2 hours. The batter should bubble and rise slightly.

🔹 Step 4: Cook the Vibibi

  1. Heat a non-stick pan or tawa over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil or ghee.

  2. Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan, spreading it gently into a circle (like a thick pancake).

  3. Cover and cook for about 2–3 minutes, or until bubbles form and the top is set. You don’t need to flip them — they’re cooked on one side only.

🔹 Step 5: Serve

  1. Remove from the pan and repeat with remaining batter.

  2. Serve warm, plain or with honey, butter, or spicy tea (chai ya tangawizi).

⏱️ Time Estimate:

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding soaking time)

  • Batter Fermentation: 1–2 hours

  • Cooking Time: 15–20 minutes

  • Total Time: ~2.5–3 hours (including soak & rest)

🍽️ Servings:

  • Makes around 10–12 small pancakes

  • Serves 4–5 people

💡 Tips:

  • For extra fluffiness, make sure your yeast is fresh and active.

  • You can add a splash of vanilla or a pinch of nutmeg for added aroma.

  • These pancakes freeze well — just reheat in a pan or microwave.

  • If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar and serve with a sweet dip instead.


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