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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

Christmas & New Year Across Africa

Holiday traditions, recipes, and celebrations

Christmas across Africa

Merry Christmas in African Languages

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Krampus dessert

Krampus's Favorite African Dessert

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New Year fireworks in Africa

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FOOD PROVERBS

African Food Proverbs

Culinary wisdom passed down through generations

African food sayings and proverb

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Culinary Wisdom
Meat stew representing animal wisdom

Honoring Animal: African Wisdom of Thankfulness

Gratitude
Diverse hands placing food on shared table

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Lemon varieties representing spice of life

6 African Proverbs That Will Spice Up Your Cooking

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How to Choose Fresh Fish Like a Pro

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Here are some tips for choosing fresh fish the next time you go shopping.

How to Choose Fresh Fish Like a Pro

How to Choose Fresh Fish Like a Pro, knowing how to choose fresh fish is a vital skill for the home cook.



The top ten African fish exporters to Europe are Morocco 29%, Namibia 15.8%, South Africa 12.3%, Mauritius 7% and Senegal 6.3%.

How to Choose Fresh Fish Fish should...
Smell It It should not have a bad smell
Scratch the Scales The scales should not be easy to remove from the skin.
Observe the Stomach It should not have a sunken, soft and mushy or burst stomach.
Press the Flesh The flesh should not be soft and should not leave the mark of your finger where you pressed.
Open the Gills The gills should be red and clean with almost no slime.
Check the Eyes The eyes should be firm, clear and sticking out.
Check the Skin The skin should always be glossy and moist.
Check How the Seller Keeps the Fish Fish should always be kept chilled with clean ice in a clean container.


A very common dish in Sierra Leone is fufu served with sour sour, also known as sorrel, a wild leafy vegetable with a tart flavor.

By
African food recipe
Traditional African Recipe of Stewed Sardines in Groundnut Sauce.

Stewed Sardines in Groundnut Sauce recipe

Serves 4
African food

Stew
Nutrition facts: 110 calories, 1 gram fat

Ingredients
1 cup groundnuts
2 pounds fresh sardines
2 medium carrots, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 chili pepper, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 tablespoons palm oil
2 cups of water
Salt and pepper to your liking

Directions
To make the groundnut paste: Roast then peel one cup of groundnuts. Crush or grind the groundnuts into a powder, add some hot water and mix to make a paste.
To make the stew: Clean, Fry the onions and garlic in oil until brown and tender in large pan over high heat. Add the tomatoes and carrots, stir then add groundnut paste, season with salt, pepper and chili, stir then add fish, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Serve with rice.


African Recipe of Stewed Sardines in Groundnut Sauce

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

  1. Yedoro Stir Fried Ethiopian Chicken Dinner
  2. Caldo Verde Portuguese Kale Soup
  3. Air Fryer Black Eyed Pea Dumpling Stew
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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

Working Hands of Africa

The labor and love that feeds a continent

Hands holding African fruit

African Culture & Traditions

Harvest & Heritage
Hands preparing fufu

How Fufu Explains Politics

Food & Power
Farming hands in Africa

Slow Food Disappearance

Farming & Tradition
Hands with plantains

The Universal Plantain

Cooking & Community

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.