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. African tech startups raise billions of dollars annually, seven African start-ups were included in the World Economic Forum 2021 cohort of 100 Technology Pioneers.

Liberian Spicy Bitter Leaf Stew

Vernonia amygdalina or Bitterleaf is a widely used cooking vegetable throughout Africa.

Bitterleaf Stew is not bitter as suggested by the name but a delicious mix of beef, fish, chicken, pork, and shellfish served over fufu. Bitter leaf leaves alone have a bitter taste and are sold fresh or dried. The leaves are green with a robust odor and a bitter taste. The Yorubas call bitter leaf Ewuro and the Igbos Onugbu, every part of the plant is beneficial from the stem, leaves, and root.

Collecting greens to sell at market day.

Liberian Spicy Bitter Leaf Stew African Recipes by African Gourmet.

Liberian stews are unlike most recipes, Liberian stews are hearty stews that combine numerous meats, fish, and vegetables in one stew. Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 1 hour 15 min Total time: 1 hour 30 min.

 

Liberian Spicy Bitter Leaf Stew ingredients and directions

Ingredients

5 ounces of cubed beef

5 ounces of pork or pork sausage

2 skinless chicken thighs

3 smoked fish, flaked

1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp

1/4 cup palm oil (optional if you are cooking palm oil free)

3 garden eggs (small eggplants) cut into quarters

2 bunches scallions, finely chopped

1 punch bitter leaf, chopped

1 very hot pepper, chopped

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.

 

About Liberian Bitter Leaf Plant

The bitter leaf grows in a large range of biological zones in Africa, produces many leaves, and is drought tolerant. Bitter leaf leaves have been used in African traditional folk medicine to stimulate the digestive system, lower blood sugar, antimalarial and reduce fever.

 

Read more facts and food recipes about Africa

The African Gourmet creates easy African food recipes for you to enjoy. 

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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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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet are dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing African history and heritage celebrating 14 years of service in 2021. Share and support in the pride of being part of an important cultural and educational resource.


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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