Dining with Daniel Muli of Just a Band

We caught up with Daniel Muli, member of acclaimed Nairobian “super-nerdy electronic music collective” (as they label themselves) to learn what one of Nairobi’s most progressive musicians has on his plate. It turns out that when he’s not DJing or playing with JAB, he’s cooking some lip-smacking dishes in his kitchen or sampling the latest fish menu at Mama Oliech’s restaurant.

What do you normally cook when you have friends over?
Mostly something baked like banana bread or a cake.

Is there a dish you have perfected?
A spicy lentil stew. I only say this because of a couple of reactions I’ve gotten that makes me think I’m doing something right. And then there’s creamed spinach. It’s really easy to make.

What’s your favourite restaurant?
Mama Oliech’s.

What’s your favourite Kenyan dish?
Fish with ugali.

Any strange dishes you would recommend that people try?
Foie Gras, which is strange because it was described to us as, “This is a burst liver of a force-fed duck”, but man, that was some sweet-tasting liver.

Any cooking advice you pass on from your mom?
My little sister and I started cooking simple recipes when we were really young and we couldn’t reach the shelves but we’d try to anyway, and it would be kind of dangerous so I remember my mum constantly saying “If you can’t do something, just ask for help!”

By Joseph Kibiru