African Food and Art: Sharing History and Heritage

African Sweet Dessert Breadfruit African Recipes by African Gourmet   African breadfruit looks odd but is a perfect ingredient for a sweet African dessert. When breadfruit ripens, softening a bit the starch turns to sugar and the aroma and flavor is sweet. Prep time: 20 min Cook time: 35 min Total time: 55 min African Sweet Dessert Breadfruit Ingredients 1 ripe breadfruit seeded, peeled and diced 3 large eggs 1 cup sugar ¼ cup all purpose flour 1 cup coconut milk ½ cup butter 2 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons coconut extract Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. In a large pot boil the breadfruit, then mash. Add milk, butter, sugar and spices. In a separate bowl whisk eggs and add 1 tablespoon of breadfruit mixture, whisk again then add eggs to breadfruit mixture. Transfer breadfruit mixture to the baking dish, bake until light brown about 35 minutes. More economical easy lunch and dinner re

Eight-Spiced Ghanaian Suya Lamb Kebobs Eight-Spice Lamb Kebobs are a staple meal on the go in the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence, Ghana. Suya or kebobs present a tasty and elegant African meal balancing different colors and flavors using a variety of ingredients. Eight-Spiced Lamb Skewers Eight-Spice Lamb Skewers Ingredients: 1 pound lamb meat cut into thin strips 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 cup roasted peanuts 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1 bouillon cube crushed ¼ teaspoon ginger ¼ teaspoon cloves ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper 2 zucchini, chopped into 2-inch pieces 1 small pumpkin cut into 1/2 –inch pieces 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped into 2-inch pieces 1 white onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces 8 large fresh brown mushrooms ¼ teaspoon salt 24 wooden skewers Directions: Soak the skewers in water for 20 minutes; you will use

How Monkey Saved Baby Antelope from Certain Death African Folktale Story African Folktale Story, How Monkey Saved Baby Antelope from Certain Death teaches the skill of quick thinking will defeat stronger, faster adversaries. Monkey Saved Baby Antelope from Certain Death How Monkey Saved Baby Antelope from Certain Death African Folktale Story The Python one day posted himself near a trail where the animals of the forest passed on their way to the river.  He cried with a loud voice and threatened to catch them and he did catch a straggler, a baby Antelope, and said that he would swallow him just as he was, hide and hair, head and tail, all in one gulp. At this critical moment, the Monkey happened to come along. On seeing him, the Antelope called to him at the top of his voice, "Friend, the Python has caught me, and he threatens to eat me up!" The Monkey, on hearing this, said to the Python, “Now tell me your side of the story!" "I have caught him

Chic African Culture Staff Picks 16 of their favorite African Proverbs.  Staff pick favorite African proverbs One of the ways we celebrate our staff at Chic African Culture is through the Staff Picks on the homepage. We are an eclectic group of readers and writers with broad interests and strong feelings about the articles and the information we place on our website blog. Sharing our 16 favorite and memorable African Proverbs was a tough job. However, Baaratou Abubakar, Karimou Karidjo, Sunu Nama and Bema Soro got the job done and here are their favorite African proverbs. Staff Picks 16 favorite African Proverbs. Abubakar Favorite African Proverbs Baaratou Abubakar is Chic African Culture’s content editor since April 2009. Abubakar says, “It was hard to narrow my list down to four proverbs, I mean only four proverbs from the millions my family handed down over the years!  I choose the following proverbs because I remember my grandfather and father living as real men with

Meat in Africa Gabon, South Africa and Mauritius are the top meat eating countries in Africa. Ever thought about never eating meat again? Well in three African countries beef is an economic and culinary lifeline to millions. Ten biggest meat eating countries in Africa Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture African Beef Cattle Grilling meats African dynamic trio of beef producers are Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The United States is the largest producer of beef in the world while Vegetarian India is the largest exporter of buffalo meat in the world. In Botswana, as a result of an outbreak of the foot and mouth disease, the exporting of beef by the beef powerhouse country has significantly reduced exports. Zimbabwe’s lucrative beef export into the European Union has been struggling over the past few years. Farm invasions instituted by President Robert Mugabe’s government in 2000 destroyed the sector as it displaced many beef ranc

Ginger Tamarind Seafood Marinade African Recipes by African Gourmet   Fish is an inexpensive source of animal protein in Africa and West African waters are rich in fish of all varieties. Ginger Tamarind Fish Marinade is a unique recipe to add a lively flavor to your seafood meal.  Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 2 hours marinating Total time: 2 hour 10 min Ingredients 1 tablespoon tamarind paste ½ teaspoon ginger paste 1 diced hot pepper 2 cups room temp. water Directions Add all ingredients, mix well and marinate seafood at least 2 hours.

In the African folklore story Dadua’s friend’s offer help in his darkest hour, his greatest time of need, but then they disappear. Dadua in his darkest hour Test of Friendship African Folktale. Dadua had three friends. The first one was his very best friend from childhood. The second he loved beyond measure and the third, he loved like a father. One day Dadua was accused of having killed a man, and he was served a summons to appear before the King's Court. Test of Friendship African Folktale, Dadua’s friend’s offer help in his darkest hour, his greatest time of need, but then they disappear. In the summons, it was stated that he was to bring, three reliable witnesses along with him—men who were known for their integrity and love of the truth. He at once went to his very best friend and asked him to accompany him to the King's Court and witness in his behalf. Then he went to his friend he loved beyond measure, he too agreed to appear before the King on his behalf. Dad

Caakiri couscous pudding is a tasty dessert couscous recipe that is a sweet, tangy dessert loved by many South Africans. Caakiri couscous pudding can be enjoyed warm or chilled, depending on your preference. The texture of the couscous adds a unique element to the creamy pudding, creating a delightful contrast of smoothness and gentle chewiness. This indulgent dessert is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while exploring the rich culinary traditions of Africa. Caakiri couscous pudding is a very popular recipe in the rainbow nation of South Africa. Caakiri Couscous Pudding is served cold or warm. This version of Caakiri Couscous Pudding is made with couscous, pineapple, and sour cream. The tasty dessert couscous recipe is a sweet, tangy dessert many South Africans love.  Did you know? Couscous is small pasta made of semolina, a form of wheat. It can be eaten as a side dish, salad, or dessert, and you can use it instead of rice or quinoa. Couscous is not cooked but rather steamed

Recipe to make with dried hot peppers Two recipes to make with dried hot peppers are hot pepper fritters and Harissa. Golden brown hot pepper fritters are a favorite recipe of street food vendors in Western Africa who make their homemade fritters with cassava flour, ground dry hot peppers and green onions fried into delicious homemade hot pepper fritters. Two recipes to make with dried hot peppers. Make crispy pepper fritters made with cassava flour, ground dry hot peppers and green onions with the African Gourmet. Use West African dried hot pepper fritters as a snack, appetizer or as a side dish with fish. Serves 8  Dried Hot Pepper Fritters Recipe  Ingredients 2 medium eggs, beaten 2 cups ground cassava flour 3 chopped green onions Ground dry hot peppers to taste Salt and pepper to taste Oil for frying in a deep fat fryer Directions Add all ingredients adding more flour if necessary to make a thick batter. Drop by spoonful’s into hot oil until golden brown. Drain o