I just returned from my last trip to Zanzibar. When someone
asks me “How was your trip?” I quickly respond with “ Great! My best trip yet!” it truly was my best
trip yet. My friend came over to visit me and I had said a long time ago that I
wanted to take her to Zanzibar and do nothing. We did just that. The first 3
nights of our 5 night stay was spent in Paje. This was on the south east coast
of the island. We stayed right on the beach where many kite surfers hung out. Of the three dinners we ate there I can
rave about one restaurant. The Ocean. Its located right on the beach next to
Buccaneer Diving company. We were blown away by not only the service but also
the food. The real find of our trip was in Stone Town. Our hotel was a place I
had wanted to stay for a long time. The Zanzibar Coffee House, home of the
Passion Tart. Each of the rooms are named after coffee drinks. From the moment
you arrive (which by the way comes with a Welcome drink) the hospitality
overwhelms you. Each morning I couldn’t wait to get to breakfast – fresh mango
jam, waffles/crepes/omelet with a rooftop view of the city. I was also invited
into the kitchen of the chef who makes the Passion Tart. The last time I came
to Stone Town I got her to tell me the recipe and I tried it several different
times in Dar with no luck of getting it right. So Chef Neema taught me exactly
how she makes the masterpiece and I will share it with you below. We also found
ourselves weaving thru the narrow streets to my favorite lunch spot all 3 days
we were there – Lazulis. I got the chef to tell me how he makes his “Sticky
Chicken Sauce” for the chapti wrap it goes into. We tried something new
everyday and were never disappointed. We also tried a new “to me” place called the “House of
Spices.” We had never been there before and allowed the waiter to order for us,
and boy did he steer us in the right direction. He sent us on an adventure with
spices ( please pardon my cheesy-ness) We started out with Lemon grass tea and
cinnamon tea, both iced. My friend tried the seafood pizza and I tried the king
fish with a house sauce finishing with a homemade spicy ice cream. It was all
delicious and would tell anyone going there to try it out! Some of the ladies
at our hotel tried to convince me to come back for a visit before I head back
to the states next year and I can honestly say I don’t see that happening. This
was such a wonderful trip. I couldn’t top it, but I don’t think this will good
bye forever Zanzibar- just simply ‘ See you later.’
Passion Tart
8x8 pan
Oven 200 degrees C
Crust
4 tsp Icing Sugar
5 tsp Flour
2 tsp Softened Butter
Mix together and press into pan covered in aluminum foil. Bake for 20 mins of until bubbly/brown. Let cool.
Cream Layer
1/2 Cup water ( Boiling)
1 Unflavored Gelatin pack
1 Can Condensed Milk
Bring water to boiling and dissolve the gelatin mixture, then add the condensed milk and mix well, pour on top of cooled crust - then freeze
Custard Layer
2 Cups of Water
6 tsp of Sugar
5 heaping tsp of custard powder
Cook all together in sauce pan, once a gelly type consistency take off stove and add 5 passion bulb insides and 1 tsp of butter. Pour over frozen layers and refrigerate.