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Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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African Portuguese Cabbage Stew Recipe

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How to make African Portuguese food

Portuguese food heavily influences African food; one popular recipe is Portuguese Cabbage Stew. African Portuguese food recipe cabbage stew is healthy and food budget friendly.

Portuguese Cabbage Stew Recipe


African Portuguese Cabbage Stew Recipe


Portuguese is spoken in a number of African countries and is the official language in six African countries: Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea. Many Africans speak Portuguese as a second language.

Access to goods such as fabrics, spices, and gold and ivory fueled the Portuguese down the coast of West Africa to Sierra Leone in 1460.  Portugal dominated the slave trade for nearly 200 years, from 1415 into the 1600s. Portuguese food heavily influences African food; one popular recipe is Portuguese Cabbage Stew.

Portuguese Cabbage Stew


Ingredients:

½ head green cabbage, chopped

2 onions, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 white potatoes, diced

2 cups vegetable stock

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 chopped hot pepper

2 bay leaves


Directions:

In a large pot fry the onions and garlic in the olive oil until softened and translucent, add potatoes. Add remaining ingredients except cabbage, simmer covered 15 minutes. Add cabbage simmer 6 minutes more. Serve with bread.

African Portuguese did you knows In Angola, 71 percent of the African population speak Portuguese as a first language. In Mozambique, 10 percent of the African population speak Portuguese as a first language. In Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), 100 percent of the African population speak Portuguese as a first language. Many Africans speak Portuguese as a second language. The Portuguese language is the third most spoken western language after English and Spanish. 


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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.