Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

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. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Healthy Molokhia Egyptian Spinach Stew

Egyptian spinach or Molokhia is a dish of healthy greens commonly eaten in Egypt. Corchorus olitorius or Egyptian spinach and Molokhia is a tall annual herb that grows in the wild throughout Africa and is an important vegetable to her people. 



Egyptian spinach or Molokhia is a dish of healthy greens
Egyptian Spinach Stew for sale

The dried leaves can be used as a thickener in soups. A tea is also made from the dried leaves. The young leaves and tender shoots are used as a leafy green vegetable. 

 The leaves are very nutritious, rich in beta-carotene, iron, protein, calcium, folate, and dietary fiber. According to Flora Zimbabwe, the plant goes by many names in Southern Africa; Derere, Gwisha, Idelele, Indian jute, and Ngenge. 

 Molokhia or Egyptian spinach, Jute mallow, or saluyot is eaten widely in Egypt and numerous Egyptian recipes exist celebrating the leafy green vegetable. Molokhia is also known as the king's soup due to its healing powers.


Molokhia Egyptian Spinach Stew



Ingredients

4 handfuls fresh Egyptian spinach leaves, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons butter (optional)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
3 bay leaves crushed
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon allspice
1 hot pepper chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 hot pepper chopped
1 tablespoon vinegar
5 cups vegetable broth


Directions

Add all ingredients to a large pot simmer 30 minutes over medium heat serve over rice. 

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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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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