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 ingredient with a much heavier ingredient while retaining as much air as possible. Mango African Dessert Fool is very simple and refreshing.

Proper folding

1. Add the light mixture to the heavier mixture.
2. Carefully cut through the mixture with the edge of the spoon, working in a gentle figure eight motions.
3. Scrape around the sides and base of the bowl at intervals.

African Mango Dessert Fool Recipe

Ingredients

2 very ripe mangoes

1 tub of whip cream

Sugar optional

Directions

Pare, slice, and mash the mango until a soft pulp. Add sugar as is desired. Fold mango mixture into whip cream and serve immediately.

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

Sprinkle carrots with salt and add to the mason jar along with ginger, seeds, and garlic. Cover with vinegar. Seal jar according to the ball instructions and let sit for at least two months before serving.

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

Sterilize jar according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In a medium size saucepan, add all ingredients. Simmer 5 minutes on medium-high heat being careful not to burn. Do not over boil the mixture or you will make candy. Pour into prepared mason jar. Use on fish, shrimp and grilled chicken.

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 butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded, and cut into bite-sized pieces

1 medium chopped tomato

1 red onion, cut into chunks

3 hot chilies, cut into pieces

2 garlic cloves, halved

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground coriander

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon sea salt flakes, or to taste

2 teaspoon coconut oil

1 cup of coconut milk

1 1/2 cups vegetable stock

Directions

Put the onion, chilies, ginger, garlic, turmeric, ground coriander, cinnamon, and salt into a food processor and blend to a paste. Heat the coconut oil in a wide-lidded heavy-based casserole, then fry the paste for about 1 minute, stirring well. Stir coconut milk into the paste, stirring everything together over the heat for a minute, followed by the stock, tomatoes, then the sweet potato, and squash. Stir well, bring to a boil, and, once bubbling, turn down the heat, put the lid on, and simmer for 40–50 minutes until the sweet potatoes are soft and the squash is cooked through. Serve with rice or naan bread.

Indian cuisine is a favorite among South Africans. Indian recipes rock. Try new South African Indian recipes to make every night for dinner; it's time to upgrade your South African Indian recipe skills to the next level. 

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 resistance by creating his own adinkra cloth.

There are hundreds of adinkra symbols, each with a unique name and meaning. Adinkra symbols are not only beautiful and meaningful but also versatile and adaptable. They can be combined, modified, or stylized to create new symbols and meanings. They can also be used to express personal values, identity, or emotions. Adinkra symbols are a rich and vibrant part of African culture and heritage that can inspire and educate people around the world.

There are hundreds of adinkra symbols, each with a unique name and meaning, here are five of our power favorites; Aya, Sepow, Masie, Gye Nyame and Nsoroma.

”Look at your past and you will recognize your future”

Aya, the fern is the symbol for independence meaning I am not afraid of you.

Sepow is the symbol of an executioner's power. It was a dagger, which the executioner plunged into the condemned mouth to prevent them from conjuring up a curse on the king before death.

Masie symbolizes the saying I understand and will keep your confidence.

Gye Nyame represents the phrase except God I fear none.

Nsoroma symbolizes the saying that you are a child of the sky resting with God and not depending upon yourself.

Adinkra symbols are more than just decorative motifs. They are also a way of communicating and expressing ideas, values, and emotions without words. The Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast have created hundreds of adinkra symbols over the centuries, each with a unique name and meaning. They are inspired by nature, culture, history, and religion, and they reflect the wisdom and beliefs of the Akan people.

To use adinkra symbols, you need to understand their meanings and how they relate to each other. You can find many resources online or in books that explain the names and meanings of adinkra symbols, as well as their origins and stories. You can also learn from elders or experts who know the traditions and customs of adinkra.

Once you know the meanings of adinkra symbols, you can choose the ones that resonate with you or your message. You can use one symbol or combine several symbols to create a new meaning. You can also modify or stylize the symbols to suit your preference or purpose. For example, you can change the size, color, orientation, or shape of the symbols.

You can use adinkra symbols for various purposes, such as decorating fabrics, pottery, sculptures, and architecture with adinkra symbols to add beauty and symbolism. Wearing adinkra symbols on clothing or jewelry to express your identity, values, or emotions. 

Giving adinkra symbols as gifts to friends or family to show your appreciation, respect, or love. Teaching adinkra symbols to children or students to educate them about African culture and heritage. Creating art or crafts with adinkra symbols to showcase your creativity and talent.

Adinkra symbols are a wonderful way of celebrating and sharing African culture and heritage with the world. They are also a powerful tool for communication and expression that can inspire and educate people of all ages and backgrounds.

Read next - Whole Nother Level of Understanding African Proverbs

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