Roasted Curry Maize Soup (aka “Let Me Cook for My Man” Soup)

If you’ve ever wanted to make your boyfriend something that feels cozy, comforting, and a little bit “I care about you more than DoorDash” — this is the recipe.

Roasted Curry Maize Soup is that African street-food-meets-love-language bowl that hits different. It’s warm, creamy, a little spicy, and packed with the kind of flavor that makes a man look at you like, “Wow… you made this for me?”

The best part? It’s simple. Just roasted corn, cabbage, onions, potatoes, curry, and a little heat. It tastes like comfort — but feels like effort. Which is exactly what Gen-Z cooking is all about: easy, wholesome, and still impressive enough to make him brag about you later.

Make it as a soup, pour it over rice, or serve it with warm bread. Either way, he’s going to ask for seconds — and probably the recipe.

Roasted Curry Maize Soup

African Recipes by African Gourmet 

Roasted corn or maize is a healthy African recipe made with onions, cabbage, and potato, hot peppers, corn and curry spice. Our African Roasted Curry Corn Soup has all the flavors you love from Africa street corn wrapped up into one comfort maize corn soup.

Prep time: 20 min Cook time: 30 min Total time: 50 min

Gen-Z Girl Tip: A bowl of this soup doesn’t just feed him — it low-key convinces him you could survive together during the apocalypse.

Ingredients
1 large package frozen whole kernel corn
½ head cabbage shredded
1 white onion chopped finely
1 medium sized potato, diced small
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup vegetable broth

Directions
In a large frying pan add oil and corn, sauté 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients mix well, cover and simmer 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Serve over rice or as a soup dish. 

Did you know?
Corn tells the story of colonialism in Africa, but the way Africans transformed it into staples like Ugali tells the story of revolution and culinary innovation. Maize has been fully adopted and naturalized into African food cultures over the past 400+ years. For a taste of Africa before that chapter, you have to explore the ancient grains like sorghum and millet that corn often replaced.

Africa for Kids

Hand Clapping Games from Liberia & West Africa

Children at Africa Heartwood Project Refugee Orphan Home, Buduburam, Ghana

Hand-clapping games are more than play — they teach rhythm, memory, coordination, and joy. In Liberia and across West Africa, children sing in local languages and Coloqwa (Liberian Pidgin English), passing down songs that have travelled generations.

Three Liberian Clapping Games

Game #1 – Performed by Rannecia & Promise

Game #2 – “Oh Mama”

Performed by Felicia, Victoria, Promise, Jackerline, Temoh, and Princess

Oh Mama, Mama!
Oh Papa, the war!
The war has make in the Burkina Faso.
I say East, the West.
I met my boyfriend in the ice cream shop.
He bought me ice cream on my wedding day.
Mama, Mama. I’m so sick.
Take me to the doctor, shall be quick quick quick.
Doctor, doctor. Will I die?
No my dear, you will live forever more.

Game #3 – “Meter Competition”

Performed by Princess & Temoh

I, I, I, I promise.
Please show me.
Television.
For example.
1 meter… 2 meter… 3 meter… (continue until someone misses!)

How to Play

1. Face your partner. Hands up, palms facing.
2. Clap your own hands → clap partner’s right hand → clap own hands → clap partner’s left hand → repeat faster!
3. Sing the song together. Whoever messes up the rhythm starts the next round.

More African Games for Kids →

© 2025 The African Gourmet – Preserving childhood joy across the continent
Published under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Savory Garlic Mashed Breadfruit Recipe

Cooking with breadfruit is easy. Breadfruit is a large, creamy fleshed, mild tasting and starchy with a texture similar to a potato, so of course everyone loves breadfruit in Africa and throughout the Caribbean and the world.

Breadfruit is cooked and eaten green or ripe but is usually eaten when ripe but still firm. Ripe breadfruit can be boiled, steamed, or baked and replace potatoes in many recipes.

Treat breadfruit as you would a potato. African Savory Garlic Mashed Breadfruit is an easy African recipe to make as side dish or a main meal.

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min

Savory Garlic Mashed Breadfruit Recipe

Ingredients
1 breadfruit cored, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable stock
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
In a large pot, add enough water to cover the breadfruit, simmer 20 minutes or until soft. In a frying pan add onions, garlic, butter, and sauté, turn heat down, add stock, spices, and stir in the breadfruit. Mix well top with butter and serve warm with any meat.

Did you know? Breadfruit is gluten free.

Spinach Smoked Meat Stew Recipe

As suggested by the name Spinach and Smoked Meat Stew is a delicious mix of beef, fish, chicken, pork, and shellfish served over rice.

Spinach leaves alone have a bitter taste and are sold fresh or dried. The leaves are green with a robust odor and a bitter taste.

Yorubas call bitter leaf Ewuro and the Igbos Onugbu, every part of the plant is beneficial from the stem, leaves, and root. Liberian stews are unlike most recipes, Liberian stews are hearty stews that combine numerous meats, fish, and vegetables in one stew.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes

Spinach Smoked Meat Stew

Serves 4
Nutrition facts:
340 calories and 3 grams fat
Ingredients
5 ounces of cubed smoked beef
5 ounces of smoked pork sausage
2 skinless chicken thighs
3 smoked fish, flaked
1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 onions, chopped finely
1/4 cup palm oil
1 bunch bitter leaf, chopped or spinach
Water to cover

Directions
Add all ingredients except shrimp to a large pot over medium heat cover ingredients with water. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Add shrimp and continue to simmer another 15 minutes.

Batá drums are the voice of the Voodoo religion, batá are talking drums speak to and for the Yoruba people. Voodoo African Batá Drums In Yoruba Africa. Batá drums are the iconic symbol and sound of the Voodoo religion. The word voodoo comes from the West African word vodun which means spirit.

Rhythms of Voodoo Batá Drumming.

Batá drums are the voice of the Voodoo religion, batá are talking drums. Voodoo drumming and ceremonies are intimately linked in Africa.

Batá drums are a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass with one cone larger than the other. The Batá drum is a percussion instrument used primarily for the use of religious or semi-religious purposes for the native culture from the land of Yoruba, located in Nigeria.

Batá drums are also the iconic symbol and sound of the Vodun or Voodoo religion. The talking drums express the histories of the West African Yoruba Oyo. Vodun is one of the world's oldest known religions.

It is commonly believed by academic researchers that these original drums were played to frighten those who would both make war with Oyo and those citizens who would oppose the king. Early Batá performances were likely held under the cover of darkness and often preceded parades of frighteningly dressed masqueraders called Egungun and Paraka.

Egungun and Paraka mean "powers concealed," is a Yoruba full body masquerade costume that provides an important connection between the worlds of the living and the dead. The body masks completely covered the dancer concealing their identity.

The common symbols were elephants, an ancient Yoruba emblem of power, lions representing bravery, crocodiles representing fierceness. Yoruba’s understand their existence as living in and acknowledging two worlds, the physical and supernatural. It is considered wise to acknowledge each sphere.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

1. Where is Shashamane Ethiopia the African Rastafarian Promised Land
2. Cooking with shea butter oil
3. Worst serial killers recorded in history are women
4. Indigenous healers and plants used
5. Night running illness or magic
6. What is back to Africa

The AGOA Dilemma: Eswatini's Balancing Act Between Monarchy and Modernity

How a small African kingdom's political structure threatens its economic future and what it says about the continent's wider challenges.

Pro-democracy protests in Eswatini highlight the tension at the heart of the AGOA debate. (Image: Garry Knight)

The Crossroads of Trade and Governance

For over two decades, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a pivotal U.S. trade program, offering eligible sub-Saharan African nations duty-free access to the world's largest economy. The deal, however, has strings attached: beneficiaries must demonstrate progress toward political pluralism, human rights, and the rule of law.

Now, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, stands at a critical juncture. After years of warnings, the United States has officially announced its intent to remove Eswatini from the AGOA program effective January 1, 2025. This decision places a spotlight on the difficult balance between entrenched political traditions and the demands of a modern, globalized economy.

Why Eswatini's AGOA Status is in Peril

The core issue is a fundamental misalignment between AGOA's requirements and Eswatini's political reality. Under the rule of King Mswati III, power is intensely centralized.

Africa's Last Absolute Monarchy

Eswatini operates as an absolute monarchy. King Mswati III holds supreme executive, legislative, and judicial authority. Political parties are banned from contesting elections, and the parliament wields limited power. This structure is the primary source of friction with AGOA's eligibility criteria concerning political pluralism and human rights.

This political system has led to persistent domestic unrest. In 2021, pro-democracy protests erupted into the nation's worst civil unrest in decades, met with a severe security crackdown. The U.S. government's decision cites a "consistent and persistent failure" to meet the act's requirements, a direct consequence of this internal political stalemate.

The Human and Economic Cost

The suspension of AGOA benefits is not merely a diplomatic rebuke; it carries severe economic consequences. The textile and apparel sector, a significant beneficiary of AGOA, faces an existential threat. Without duty-free access, Eswatini's exports become uncompetitive, inevitably leading to factory closures and widespread job losses.

The Paradox of Extreme Inequality

Eswatini is classified as a lower-middle-income country, yet it suffers from extreme wealth inequality. While a majority of the population lives in poverty, the royal elite controls a vast portion of the economy. This makes the job-preserving benefits of AGOA critically important for ordinary Swatis, even as their government's policies put those very jobs at risk.

This potential job crisis would hit a population already grappling with high unemployment, especially among the youth. The loss of AGOA would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, highlighting the painful trade-off between political rights and economic survival.

An African Dilemma with Global Resonance

Eswatini's situation is a powerful case study for the entire continent. It raises critical questions:

• How can African nations navigate the tension between cultural traditions and the governance models demanded by international partners?
• What are the most effective levers for encouraging political reform without inflicting economic harm on the populace?
• What is the role of "African solutions" in resolving such fundamental internal conflicts?

The path forward for Eswatini requires difficult compromises and genuine dialogue between the monarchy and its citizens. The resolution of this crisis will be closely watched as an example of how sovereignty, development, and democracy intersect in 21st-century Africa.

FAQ: Why This Matters Beyond Eswatini's Borders

Q: As an African innovator or entrepreneur, why should I care about this?

A: This is a live case study in political risk. It demonstrates how domestic governance can directly impact international market access, supply chains, and economic stability—factors critical for any business or innovation ecosystem to thrive.

Q: What does this mean for the "African Solutions" narrative?

A: Eswatini's challenge is precisely the kind of complex, home-grown problem that the "African Solutions" mantra must address. It forces a conversation about whether solutions will come from internal dialogue, external pressure, or a combination of both, setting a potential precedent for other nations facing similar tensions.

Q: How does this affect regional trade and stability?

A: As a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, economic instability in Eswatini can have ripple effects. Factory closures could disrupt regional supply chains and affect neighboring economies, proving that no nation's economic health is an island.

Q: Is there a technological or innovative solution to this crisis?

A: While the core issue is political, technology plays a role. Digital platforms for civic engagement, transparent governance tools, and economic diversification through tech-driven sectors could be part of a long-term solution to reduce reliance on single trade agreements and foster a more inclusive economy.

Explore More African Innovations

Discover how African solutions are tackling complex challenges across the continent

Visit African Solutions Innovations Hub →

This analysis was brought to you by the African Solutions Innovations Hub, where we explore the complex challenges and innovative opportunities shaping Africa's future.

Gesho Plant in Africa Used For Food Firewood Money and Medicine.

Gesho plant is highly valued in rural Africa growing in parts of Kenya, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Cameroon, Zaire, Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

Rhamnus prinoides or gesho plant is an indispensable plant for the rural African community. Gesho plant was discovered in 1788 is also known as Dogwood or Shiny Leaf in English, Blinkblaar in Afrikaans, umGlindi in Xhosa, Musvosvadziva in Shona, umNyenye in Zulu and gesho in Amharic.

The African dogwood is a dense shrub or a small tree with glossy foliage and decorative red and purple berries, the tree is no relation of the American and Asian dogwoods. Gesho is a versatile plant used for food, firewood, wages and medicine. Gesho grows bordering forest and at high elevations. The fruits, roots and leaves are utilized, no part of the Gesho is wasted. The leaves stems and branch are used to brew the popular drink Tej in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The Gesho tree leaves are also used as an ointment for numerous discomforts and to relieve cranky babies. The principal use of this tree is for enchanted purpose in rural Africa widely used by African people as a protective charm to ward off lightning and evil and to bring luck in hunting. The Gesho tree is also used to cleanse the blood, to treat pneumonia, rheumatism, sprains, and stomach ache, and as a mouthwash in rural Africa. It is also used in the treatment of skin illnesses and lung infections.

The fruits are edible and small about the size of a pea ranging in color from green, to red then purple when ripe. The seeds are easily germinated without any special management or storage. Gesho is a widely planted cash crop sold in local markets from Ethiopia South to Angola and the Cape Providence of South Africa.

Gesho tree African Dogwood can easily be grown from seed is a small evergreen good for small gardens and hedges, especially in cold areas. It is a very good small tree to plant in the garden to attract fruit-eating birds. Gesho is an important garden plant used extensively in home brewing of local beverages such as Tella and Tej. It is a crop grown in a wide range of ecologies across Ethiopia.

In Africa, it is usually women who brew beer, make Tej, and sell these products. In some parts of Africa, the homebrewed traditional production and drinking of honey wine are still very common. In Ethiopia, honey is not made into beer but into Tej, which is honey wine. Tej is a very important drink in Ethiopian cultural life, served at traditional gatherings and special religious ceremonies. Tej is not necessarily alcoholic – often it is drunk before the brew has started to ferment when it still has a strong yeasty flavor.

Tej is made in huge wooden barrels, which are cleaned and then scoured with special leaves. The barrel is then filled, one part of honey with five parts of water. The barrel is covered with a clean cloth and left for a few days: fermentation begins. Now some very special leaves are added: these are gesho leaves which have been chopped up and then boiled.

About five kilograms of this boiled leaf is added to each barrel. After gesho is added, the sugars in the honey are converted to alcohol and the Tej increasingly acquires its distinctive dry and bitter flavor. Finally, just before serving, a further half bucket of honey is tipped in to give sweetness to the final brew.

Tej is served in special glasses that are like small glass vases with a bulbous base and narrow neck. For drinking, the glass is held in a special and rather dainty way between the first two fingers and thumb. Tej has a good flavor, something like cloudy, strong mead. The quality and amount of Tej served at a marriage or other celebration is directly linked with the wealth of the host.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
6. About African Night Running