Chic African Culture Blog

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

African Culture is World Heritage

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Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

Almond Ilma Zhar Recipe photo by Amazing Almonds
African Recipes by

In Morocco, orange blossom water is called Ilma Zhar, a phrase in Arabic meaning flower water. Cooking with orange flower water is easy; replace vanilla extract in your recipe with orange flower water. Also, most fruits and nuts, especially almonds pair well with Ilma Zhar orange flower water.

Prep time: Cook time: Total time:
Ilma Zhar or orange blossom water, is a clear, perfumed distillation of fresh bitter-orange blossoms. Orange flower water is an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern and Moroccan cooking. It's produced by distilling an infusion of crushed orange blossoms and water. The resulting perfumed water is sweetly fragrant of orange blossoms but not of citrus. 
Orange blossom water serves two purposes in Morocco. One usage is a perfume or freshener, usually given to guests to wash their hands upon entering the host house or before drinking tea, in a special silver or metal container but, this old custom is fading away in the present day. The main usage of orange blossom water however, is in Moroccan cuisine especially as an ingredient for traditional sweets. Peeled slices of oranges, sprinkled with orange flower water and cinnamon is an easy, light African dessert. Peaches also work well in this recipe. Our favorite recipe is below:


Ingredients
1 cup whole unsalted almonds
½ teaspoon orange flower water
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey

Directions
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and serve as a topping, appetizer, dessert or snack. Serve over salad, yogurt, cottage cheese, or ice cream.
Almond Ilma Zhar Salad Recipe photo by Amazing Almonds


Almond Orange Blossom Water Ilma Zhar Recipe

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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Be better than average and support African history and culture. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

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