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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

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Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

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South African Smothered Chicken Inyama Yenkukhu Recipe

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The African Gourmet serves up this Smothered Chicken South African style recipe. Smothered Chicken or Inyama Yenkukhu is a classic South African dish. Simple delicious and made with love this South African dish goes well with South African yellow rice and raisins. Inyama Yenkukhu is a South African dish that is similar to Smothered Chicken and Gravy in the Southern United States. Smothered Chicken is a southern comfort food dish. This version of Inyama Yenkukhu uses the same ingredients as smothered chicken and is an easy tasty dish where the chicken is first lightly fried and then gravy is created. African recipes by African Gourmet Inyama Yenkukhu is a South African dish that is similar to Smothered Chicken and Gravy in the Southern United States. Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 30 min Total time: 45 min Ingredients 3 chicken thighs with skin 3 chicken legs with skin 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 cup all-purpose flour Salt and pepper to t...

Kola Nut Tree First Tree on Earth

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The Igbo, a tribe in southeastern Nigeria, consider the Kola-nut tree to be the first tree on earth; the Kola-nut or Oji and Nzu or chalk has significant meaning to the Igbo.  The Igbo consider the Kola-nut to be a representation of friendliness and compassion.   Selling Kola-nut in the market Kola-nut tree The Kola-nut is a bitter caffeine-rich chestnut-sized fruit borne seed of a 20 feet high evergreen tree native to tropical Africa.  The Kola-nut is a rough, skinned fruit that grows up to 8" long.  Inside the pod is the actual kola seed is thin with a white flesh but bright red inside when the seeds are sliced. Kola trees are native to West Africa found from Togo to Angola, Liberia to Cรดte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Nigeria. The caffeine-containing seed smells a bit like rose petals. Kola nuts also have a reputation for treating headaches. By chewing the caffeine rich Kola-nut the caffeine is extracted, caffeine is considered as a cure for headaches....

Homemade Fiery Carrot Sambal Relish

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Sambal is a spicy thick relish packed with a hot peppery flavor and seasoned vegetables. Sambal is made from various ingredients and may be fresh or cooked. It is commonly made from vegetables, chili's, and onions. Sambal is used similarly to salsa. Serve with any dish. Sambal is a spicy thick relish. Homemade Fiery Carrot Sambal Relish. Sambal is a spicy thick African relish recipe packed with a hot peppery flavor and seasoned vegetables. Prep time: 45 min Cook time: 3 hours Total time: 3 hours 45 min Homemade Fiery Carrot Sambal Relish Ingredients and Directions Ingredients 4 cups finely grated carrots 1 medium finely sliced onion 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon minced ginger 1 teaspoon brown sugar 3 chopped hot chilies   Directions Toss carrots and onions with lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt, let sit 1/2 hour, then squeeze with hands and discard any excess liquid. Combine with remaining ingredients and mix well. Allow sitt...

What is Injera bread? What is Teff?

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Teff is the tiny seed of a grass native to Ethiopia and Eritrea known as lovegrass. Teff is a grass, small-sized fine grain that grows mainly in Ethiopia and Eritrea.  What is Injera bread? What is Teff Flour? Injera bread is a flatbread traditionally eaten in the African countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Injera bread is thicker than a crepe but thinner than a pancake. In making Injera, teff flour is mixed with water and fermented over several days however, wheat flour or all-purpose flour can be used however, the taste and texture changes. Eating with Injera bread is stable in some African households in order to eat dishes of vegetables, meats, and stews. Injera bread is used in place of utensils using pieces of Injera to pick up bites of food. Injera bread is eaten daily in all most every Ethiopian and Eritrean household. The Ethiopian dish Spicy Red Lentils goes perfectly with injera. Teff is a grass, small-sized fine grain that grows mainly in Ethiopia a...

Sorghum: Africa’s Ancient Whole Grain for Food, Porridge, and Bee

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Sorghum: The Fifth Most Important Cereal Crop in the World Sorghum is a gluten-free whole grain and the fifth most important cereal crop in the world , grown for food, porridge, and beer. In Africa, nations such as Nigeria and Sudan are leading producers, and in some regions like Burkina Faso and Sudan, sorghum provides up to one-third of total daily calories. Recently, sorghum has gained popularity in the United States for its gluten-free benefits and nutritional value. Unlike many modern grains, sorghum grown from traditional hybrid seeds is naturally non-GMO , retaining its nutrient-rich outer layers. Uji — Kenyan Sorghum Cereal Ingredients: 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup sorghum 3 cups water Directions: Combine all ingredients in a medium pot. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Serve warm with butter and sugar to taste. Did You Know? Sorghum thrives in hot, dry regions where other grains struggle, making it a lifeline f...

Folklore Meets Science

Folklore Meets Science
African stories that explain the universe

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

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African Culture and traditions