Meat Sauce (Somali Suugo)

somali-suugo Suugo is what Somali's call their pasta sauce. They of course inherited the love of pasta from the Italians who once colonized part of Somalia. This dish is called Baasta iyo Suugo, basically pasta with sauce. What is special about Somali Suugo is the use of a spice blend called Xawaash pronounced hawaaj. It adds a lovely earthiness to the sauce. Suugo is Somali's pasta sauce served over spaghetti and always served with a banana. It is surprisingly delicious.

1 medium red onion, diced
½ green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb beef, cut into small cubes
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes (0.53 kg)
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp. xawaash
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 Tbsp. cilantro, fresh chopped
1 lime, freshly juiced
1 banana, per person
1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat.

Add in the onions and bell pepper, cook for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Add in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant just a minute or two. Add in cubed beef and cook until browned while stirring.

Add in the xawaash, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and pepper. Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes until meat is nice and tender. While the suugo is cooking you can make your pasta according to package directions. Add one tsp. of sugar and stir the suugo. Adjust seasoning as necessary.

Serve over pasta, plate with a banana and squeeze lime juice over the dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Makes 4 servings.