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Showing posts from May, 2014

African Food and Art

Thank you to our latest donor, Tony. Thank you, Tony. We were able to purchase three new stainless steel pots to continue our cooking and teaching heritage.

African Mango Dessert Fool Recipe

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African Mango Dessert Fool Recipe Ripe mangos make the best mango fool .   A Fruit Fool is a delicious British dessert made of a mixture of lightly sweetened fruit. Fools are one of the quickest, easiest, and tastiest desserts. Ripe mangos make the best mango fool.  The culinary influence living under British rule was different depending on the region in Africa. British food has a huge impact on the eating habits of Africans. Dating as far back as the 17th century, fool is classic British dessert.  The key to making African mango dessert fool is using the folding technique properly.   Traditionally, Britain’s folded pureed stewed gooseberries into sweet custard to make fruit fool, nothing could be easier. African fruit dessert fool could not be simpler to make, fold a handful of pureed fresh fruit into whipped cream and you are done. The key to making African mango dessert fool is using the folding technique properly. Folding is combining a light ingredi...

South African Preserved Pickle Carrots

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South African Preserved Pickle Carrots Carrots are believed to have originated in Afghanistan. Carrots are now a popular vegetable grown all over the world, in South Africa; carrots have been an important vegetable crop for centuries. South African Preserved Pickle Carrots Carrots are grown all over South Africa cultivated in Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, East Rand, Pretoria, Greytown, Weenen and in the Reddersburg area in the Free State. The root is the edible part and the color of the roots varies from white, yellow, orange-yellow, light purple, deep red to deep violet. Carrots are eaten fresh, processed, juiced and pickled. Preserved pickle carrots is an easy-to-follow delicious recipe. South African Preserved Pickle Carrots Ingredients 1 mason jar, medium size ball with cover 1 small bag of baby carrots 1 medium slice of fresh ginger 2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 crushed clove of garlic Enough white vinegar to cover carrots Directions ...

Simple Sweet Tamarind Sauce Recipe

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Simple sweet tamarind sauce recipe, tamarind is an important ingredient in African chutneys, curries and sauces. Tamarindus indica or the tamarind tree is native to tropical Africa; the tree grows wild throughout Sudan, and South Sudan, Madagascar and most of tropical Africa.  The tamarind tree has so many uses that it is celebrated throughout the world. The tamarind tree has a variety of uses as food, oil, varnish, dye, timber, glue, medicine, fuel, and a thickener in some explosives.  The tamarind tree lives up to an age of 50-60 years or sometimes up to 150 years. A mature tamarind tree may annually produce 330 to 500 pounds of seeds. The tamarind tree seeds are an important ingredient in chutneys, curries, and sauces. Simple Sweet Tamarind Sauce Recipe Ingredients Yields about 1-pint jar 3 heaping tablespoons tamarind paste 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups water Directions S...

South African Indian Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry

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The Indian food culture in South Africa is dynamic and influential. A significant aspect of South African Indian cuisine is the fusion of Indian and African flavors, and the Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry is a perfect example of this delicious blend. South African Indian Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry is a perfect meal to make as mild or spicy as you like. Serve South African Indian Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry with rice or naan bread. The culture and food of South African Indian recipes would not be complete without including the Indian African food recipe Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry. Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry is a rich and hearty Indian African food recipe with tomatoes providing a balancing acidity and hot peppers bringing a dynamic taste. South African Indian Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry Recipe Serves 6 Indian African food Total time from start to finish 1 hour Ingredients 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large bite-sized pieces 1 large butter...

Symbol of an Executioner's Power

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Adinkra’s are African visual symbols created in West Africa. Adinkra symbols represent a feeling or simple saying in other words Adinkra are symbols that represent concepts or sayings telling a story without words. Adinkra symbols are visual representations of concepts, proverbs, or beliefs that originated from the Akan people of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. They are often used as decorative elements in fabrics, pottery, sculptures, and architecture. Adinkra symbols can convey complex messages and stories without using words, making them a powerful form of communication and expression. The word "adinkra" means "farewell" or "goodbye" in the Twi language, and it is said that the symbols were created by King Adinkera of Gyaman in the 19th century when he was captured by the Asante king for copying his golden stool. The Asante king ordered him to be stamped with adinkra symbols as a mark of shame, but King Adinkera turned it into a symbol of pride and resista...