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.

Creamy Cheesy Plantain Gratin Recipe

Plantains, creamy sauce, and spices in this classic gratin recipe dish combine to make a delightful new food experience.

Plantains are an important staple food in Africa especially in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Uganda. What are plantains? Plantains are fruits that resemble bananas but are longer, have a thicker skin, and contain more starch.

Creamy Cheesy Plantain Gratin Recipe

Creamy Cheesy Plantain Gratin Recipe
Creamy Cheesy Plantain Gratin Recipe

Ingredients

3 peeled and chopped green plantains

1 cup any grated medium-hard cheese

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

¼ cup all purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 cup plain breadcrumbs


Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Add plantains to a large pot of boiling water, boil 5 minutes. 

Drain plantains set aside. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat, add the flour and whisk thoroughly. 

Gradually add the milk, whisking until it thickens, then stir in seasonings and cheese. 

Put a layer of plantains in an 8x8 baking dish, sprinkle some cheese over them, then add a layer of sauce.

Repeat the layers. 

Sprinkle the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. 

Bake 15 minutes until golden brown. 


More economical easy lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

  1. Curried Tanzanian Coconut Okra Recipe
  2. Yedoro Stir Fried Ethiopian Chicken Dinner
  3. Senegalese Chicken Vermicelli
  4. Caldo Verde Portuguese Kale Soup
  5. Air Fryer Black Eyed Pea Dumpling Stew

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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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