Kao Se Umu

Not the most affectionate of “endearment” terms but hey, it’s used often enough anyway so why pretend?  Umu is an earth oven traditionally used in Pacific Islands and loosely translated “Kao oe i se umu” or “Kao se umu” refers to cooking someone on the earth oven.

Macabre I know,  but it’s just one of those letting off steam sayings! No-one would ever actually do it in modern times, perhaps in our cannibal past, but anywho, on with “How to make a Samoan Umu!”

Step 1:  Get that fire going!
Step 1: Get that fire going!
Step 2:  Stack them rocks and get them red hot!!! This ensures even temperature and faster cooking time.
Step 2: Throw the rocks on top of the fire and get them red hot!!! This ensures even temperature and faster cooking time.

 

Step 3:  Check the rocks with an awesomely long stick and arrange.
Step 3: Once the rocks are red hot, check with an awesomely long stick and arrange accordingly.

 

Step 4:  Lay some yumbo Samoan carbohydrates such as Taro, Green Bananas or Ulu then cover with banana leaves and lock in that heat and ---
Step 4: Throw some yumbo Samoan carbohydrates such as Taro or Green Bananas then cover with some leaves, these ones just happen to be mango leaves.

 

Step 5:  Add your meats, and some additional goodies like luau (taro leaves and coconut cream)
Step 5: Add your meats such as chicken, beef or pork or even a whole pig if you’re that hungus.

 

Add some foiled goodness! I'm talking Luau which are small parcels of taro leaves and fresh coconut cream! To die for #justsayn
Step 6:  Add some specialties such as Luau, small parcels of awesomeness with taro leaves and fresh coconut cream!       To die for #justsayn

 

Step 7:  Cover with large --- leaves to lock in that heat and especially all that flavour!  Starving now lol
Step 7: Cover with large banana leaves to retain the heat and especially all that flavour!

 

Bon appetite!!!  Time to chow down:)  Yummy Samoan Umu is served! #HappyDays
Bon appetit!!! Time to chow down:) Yummy Samoan Umu is served! #HappyDays

There you have it!  Samoa’s traditional Sunday lunch with all the trimmings:)  Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and a great week!

Photo credits:  Rita Tapusoa

What’s your favourite food cooked on the Umu???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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