Stewing and Baking African Food Recipes
Learn about stewing and baking African recipes.
Stewing means food that is cooked by simmering or boiling very slowly. Different kinds of vegetables and meats are added to a pot. Cooking methods such as stewing may stem from African cooking traditions. Stewing involves making food that requires long-simmering periods of vegetables and sometimes meat. Africans stewed vegetables by laying thick slices of salty meat on top. Stewing is suitable for the least tender cuts of meat that become tender and juicy with the slow moist heat method. Frying is not ingenious to African cooking, Native Americans taught frying techniques to the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806.
Spicy Ostrich Stew Recipe
South Africa
Ingredients
4 cloves garlic crushed
2 cups peeled yam cut into 1 ″ cubes
3 cups fresh green beans
1 ½ pounds cleaned ostrich
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 medium onion, sliced
2 teaspoons coriander
2 tablespoons red pepper flake
2 cups beef stock
1 cup whole stewed tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a large pot on medium heat, add oil then sauté garlic one minute. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
Simple Eesh Baladi Egyptian Bread Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour or all-purpose
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup of warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Stir warm water, honey, and yeast in a large bowl let stand about 5 minutes. Add flour and salt dough sound is slightly sticky when you are done mixing. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead by hand. You can also use a mixer with a hook attachment. Roll dough into small balls then flatten. Cover with a cloth let rise in a warm place about 2 hours. Place dough on a light colored lightly greased baking pan and bake until golden about 20 minutes.
Stewing means food that is cooked by simmering or boiling very slowly. Different kinds of vegetables and meats are added to a pot. Cooking methods such as stewing may stem from African cooking traditions. Stewing involves making food that requires long-simmering periods of vegetables and sometimes meat. Africans stewed vegetables by laying thick slices of salty meat on top. Stewing is suitable for the least tender cuts of meat that become tender and juicy with the slow moist heat method. Frying is not ingenious to African cooking, Native Americans taught frying techniques to the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806.
 |
| Stewing food on a wooden stove |
Spicy Ostrich Stew Recipe
South Africa
Yield 6-8 servings
Ingredients
4 cloves garlic crushed
2 cups peeled yam cut into 1 ″ cubes
3 cups fresh green beans
1 ½ pounds cleaned ostrich
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 medium onion, sliced
2 teaspoons coriander
2 tablespoons red pepper flake
2 cups beef stock
1 cup whole stewed tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a large pot on medium heat, add oil then sauté garlic one minute. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
 |
| Baking bread |
Baking is the technique of prolonged cooking of food such as breads and meats by dry heat usually in an oven. Baking
is an art, the skill of bread baking throughout the African continent is a
traditional talent filled with pride. From Kenyan Chapati flatbread to Egyptian
Eesh Baladi the most delicious breads begin with proper ingredients and mixing.
The method of mixing is important when several ingredients are combined when
making dough for African breads and fritters. Mixing is a universal term that
includes stirring, beating, blending, sifting, creaming, cutting in and
folding.
Simple Eesh Baladi Egyptian Bread Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour or all-purpose
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup of warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Stir warm water, honey, and yeast in a large bowl let stand about 5 minutes. Add flour and salt dough sound is slightly sticky when you are done mixing. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead by hand. You can also use a mixer with a hook attachment. Roll dough into small balls then flatten. Cover with a cloth let rise in a warm place about 2 hours. Place dough on a light colored lightly greased baking pan and bake until golden about 20 minutes.
