Today’s tasty cook: Chicken feet and egg fried rice

In the streets of ekasi, chicken feet aren’t just food ꟷ they are culture, survival and a love language. Whether you call them amanqina or walkie-talkie, the taste is the same.

Now add a soft, fluffy egg mix ꟷ just one egg and you will see what’s gonna come out. A plate full of protein and street-style flavour, all cooked up from simple leftovers.

That rice from last night? Don’t throw it out. We fry it up, kasi style, with some spicy amanqina and a golden egg scramble that brings the whole dish together.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN FEET AND EGG FRIED RICE

Ingredients:

• 8-10 chicken feet (cleaned, nails trimmed)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups leftover rice (cold works best)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp curry powder or chicken spice
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional, for that heat)
• A handful of chopped green pepper or spring onion (optional ꟷ for colour and crunch)
•  1 tbsp soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce (optional kasi twist)

Method:

1. Prep the chicken feet: Boil the chicken feet in salted water for 30-35 minutes until soft. Drain and set aside.
2. Fry them up: In a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add boiled chicken feet, sprinkle with curry powder and let them sizzle until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Scramble the egg: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Pour in the beaten egg and scramble gently until cooked. Remove and set aside with the chicken feet.
4. Sauté the flavour base: Add chopped onion and garlic to the pan. Fry until golden and aromatic. Add green pepper if using.
5. Bring it all together: Add rice to the pan, stir to break clumps. Return the scrambled egg and chicken feet. Season with salt, pepper, and soy/ Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.
6. Serve hot: Garnish with spring onions or a sprinkle of chilli flakes if you are brave. Serve it as it or with atchar or tomato relish on the side.

Kasi food tips:

• Leftover rice is gold:
  Cold rice fries best ꟷ it doesn’t clump. So keep last night’s rice. It’s a real MVP.
• Tender feet are key:
  Don’t rush the boiling. Soft feet make every bite melt in the mouth.
• Flavour boost:
  If you are low on spices, even a soup cube dissolved in water adds amazing depth.
• One egg, many wonders:
  A single egg adds protein, colour, richness ꟷ never underestimate its power in a budget meal.