Fah-Fah (Djiboutian Goat Soup)
Local name: Fah-fah
In short: A lunchtime soup of bone-in goat simmered with potatoes, cabbage, leeks, carrots, garlic, coriander and green chili, served with lime. It takes about 2 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Total
- 2 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Fah-fah is a lunchtime soup-stew from Djibouti, built on goat meat that simmers until the broth turns rich and the meat falls off the bone. Potatoes, cabbage, leeks and carrots go into the pot with garlic, coriander and green chili, so one bowl works as a full meal. Serve it with steamed rice and a squeeze of lime. Nothing is fried; the long, gentle simmer does all the work.
Instructions
- Put the goat, water, onions, half the garlic, salt and pepper in a large pot. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam for the first 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to a low simmer, partly cover and cook for 75 minutes, until the meat is almost tender.
- Add the ground coriander, carrots, leeks and the rest of the garlic. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes. Tuck in the cabbage, tomatoes and chilies and cook 10 minutes more, until the vegetables are tender and the meat is falling off the bone.
- Skim excess fat from the surface if you like. Taste, adjust the salt and stir in half the fresh coriander.
- Ladle the meat, vegetables and broth into deep bowls. Top with the remaining coriander and serve with lime wedges and steamed rice.
Tips
- Goat can be tough. If you cannot find it, lamb shoulder or beef shin works, though beef needs about 30 minutes longer.
- Add the chilies whole for gentle heat. Cut or crush them for a spicier soup.
Questions and answers
Can I make fah-fah ahead of time?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day. Cool it, refrigerate for up to 4 days and reheat gently. The potatoes soften further in storage.
Can I freeze fah-fah?
The broth and meat freeze well for 3 months. Potatoes turn grainy, so freeze the soup without them and add freshly boiled potatoes when you reheat.
How spicy is fah-fah?
Moderately. Whole green chilies give gentle heat, slitting or chopping them adds more, and leaving them out gives a mild soup.
How long does it take to make Fah-Fah (Djiboutian Goat Soup)?
About 2 h 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Fah-Fah (Djiboutian Goat Soup)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
