Cooking Soup with Camp Chef, Herriel. What’s the secret ingredient?

Soup Recipe from Camp Chef, Herriel

Not only do the heavy rains of spring bring green grasses to the Tanzanian plains, they also allow our team in Tanzania to reboot and prepare for the next wave of guests. The break also marks an annual visit to the US for four Tanzanian staff members, something our US team anxiously awaits each year. One of our visiting colleagues this year was Herriel, a Nyumba Camp Chef.

Our camp chefs are superb and can prepare cuisine that some guests admit is better than meals they’ve had in restaurants in the US. If you’re headed out on safari, ask for a peek behind the scenes and tour a bush kitchen – our staff is happy to show you. You’ll be amazed at the skill and ingenuity of our chefs who make use of limited provisions in bush kitchens.

The soups in our camps are always a big hit – we frequently get asked, What’s the secret ingredient in the soups? Can I get the recipe? Soups like carrot and butternut squash soup, sweet potato cream soup, carrot and ginger soup and even peas and peanut butter soup have not only warmed the bellies of our guests but have also remained in their memories.

During his visit, Herriel—whose culinary prowess always receives great feedback—shared his carrot and ginger soup recipe and prepared it in the Thomson Safaris “test kitchen.” Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions or download the recipe here.

You’ll find this recipe is not only easy to make but also quite crowd-pleasing. The ingredients aren’t unusual or secretive – sometimes the ingredients don’t define the magic of a meal, sometimes it is defined by who has prepared it. Perhaps the secret ingredient is Tanzanian karibu spirit.

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6 responses to "Soup Recipe from Camp Chef, Herriel"

Marni Roake June 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm

ABSOLUTELY THRILLED TO GET THE SOUP RECIPE. SAFARI SOUPS WERE WONDERFUL!!! I THINK THOMSON SHOULD PUBLISH A THOMSON SAFARI CAMP SOUP COOKBOOK! YOU COULD SELL IT TO PEOPLE LIKE ME AND MAKE LOTS OF MONEY TO SUPPORT THOMSON CAUSES! I SUGGESTED THIS WHEN ON SAFARI WITH THOMSON IN 2009.

Thomson Safaris June 5, 2012 at 5:20 pm

Thanks, Marni! It is a great idea! We had your suggestion in mind when we posted this recipe and video. We hope to compile a cookbook in the future.

deb hammer June 12, 2012 at 6:29 pm

I would definitely buy some cookbooks for myself and friends if you ever do put one together. While climbing the mountain, and at the camps while on the safari, the soups we had everyday were everyone’s favorite part of the meal. They were amazing:) The food in general was more than any of us expected. Thanks for the recipe!!!

Petting zoo south wales June 13, 2012 at 5:03 am

Carrot and ginger is something Ive never had together in a soup, ill have to give this recipe a go!

Ed Castleberry June 15, 2012 at 9:38 pm

The cookbook idea is a sure winner! I’ll buy one, at least. I’ve been on two “Africa through the Lens” safaris and loved the soups! (Well, I also loved the whole experience!)

Question about the carrot ginger soup:

What is the mixed spice that Herriel added to the soup?

Thomson Safaris June 18, 2012 at 9:36 am

Hi Ed!

Herriel used prepackaged spices from Mrs. Dash. In fact, I think it was Mrs. Dash “Original Blend”.

Our camp chefs use their own blend of spices to prepare meals in the bush (Mrs. Dash doesn’t camp at our Nyumbas ) so using this exact blend of spices is not a critical ingredient to the recipe – you could use Mrs. Dash, or something similar, or substitute your own blend of spices.

Happy cooking!

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