African Food and Art

Thank you to our latest donor, Esther. Thank you, Esther. We were able to purchase a new cutting board.

Sharing a Meal is Something Everyone Can Do

Sharing an African food meal is the best way to be friendly and respectful. Trying African food is a good way to learn about new people and cultures.

Exploring African cuisine will help you understand the many different cultures in Africa. Trying new African foods is exciting and will help you learn about different ingredients. One of the best things about trying African food is that it will help you get to know people from different backgrounds. 

Green Gram Peas
Green Gram Peas

African food is a source of nourishment, socializing, and celebrating. Sharing a meal is something everyone should do, regardless of their background or beliefs. Sharing a meal is a sign of hospitality, friendship, and respect. 

It is a way of expressing gratitude, appreciation, and love. Sharing a meal is a way of enjoying life, learning from others, and creating memories. Sharing a meal is something everyone can do and something everyone should do. 

Technology is helpful, but it never replaces human connection. 

Looking for a meal to share together for dinner tonight? Check out this list of 30 iconic African dishes you can cook at home.

  1. Jollof Rice is a popular dish in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. It is made with rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and various seasonings.

  2. Egusi Soup is a Nigerian soup made with ground melon seeds, vegetables, and meat. It is typically served with pounded yam, fufu, or eba.

  3. Bobotie is a South African dish made with spiced minced meat and baked with an egg-based topping. It has roots in Malay and Dutch cuisine.

  4. Tagine is an iconic Moroccan stew made with meat, vegetables, and spices. It is named after the traditional clay pot in which it is cooked.

  5. Bunny Chow is an iconic South African street food made with a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. It has its origins in the Indian community in Durban.

  6. Ful Medames is a traditional breakfast dish in Egypt made with fava beans, onions, tomatoes, and various spices.

  7. Biltong is not beef jerky; it is a dried and cured meat snack popular in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. It is typically made from beef, game, or ostrich meat.

  8. Suya - Spicy meat skewers are popular in Ghana, Nigeria, and other West African countries. It is typically made with beef, chicken, or goat meat.

  9. Piri Piri Chicken is a spicy grilled chicken dish popular in Mozambique and other African countries with Portuguese influences. It is made with a piri piri sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, and lemon juice.

  10. Berbere - Spice blend used in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. It typically contains chili peppers, ginger, coriander, fenugreek, and other spices. 

    Senegalese style fish stew
    Senegalese-style fish stew

  11. Pap - Porridge made from maize meal, popular in South Africa and other African countries. It is typically served with meat and vegetable dishes.

  12. Fufu - Starchy dough made from cassava, plantains, or yams, popular in West and Central Africa. It is typically served with soup or stew.

  13. Maafe is a West African peanut stew made with vegetables and meat. It is popular in Senegal, Mali, and Guinea.

  14. Waakye is a Ghanaian dish made with rice and beans, typically served with stew, salad, and fried plantains.

  15. Injera - Sourdough flatbread popular in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is typically served with stews and curries.

  16. Bobolo is a Cameroonian dish made with fermented cassava, wrapped in leaves, and steamed. It is typically served with fish or meat dishes.

  17. Nshima - Porridge made from maize meal or cassava flour, a popular dish in Zambia and other southern African countries. It is typically served with meat and vegetable dishes.

  18. Kara is a Nigerian bean cake made with black-eyed peas and spices. It is typically served as a breakfast or snack food.

  19. Chakalaka is a South African vegetable relish made with onions, peppers, and spices. It is typically served with pap, bread, or meat dishes.

  20. Kapenta - A small freshwater fish commonly eaten in Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is typically served grilled or fried.

    Cooking in South Africa
    Cooking in South Africa

  21. Jus de Bissap - Refreshing hibiscus tea popular in West Africa. It is often served chilled with sugar or honey.

  22. Pepper Soup - Spicy soup made with various meats, fish, or vegetables, popular in West Africa. It is typically served as a starter or main course.

  23. Kachumbari - Kenyan salad made with tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers. It is typically served as a side dish.

  24. Nkwobi is a Nigerian dish made with goat meat, spices, and palm oil. It is typically served as a snack or appetizer. 

  25.  Kokoro is a Ugandan dish with goat meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices. It is typically served with ugali, a type of cornmeal porridge. 

  26.  Dibi - Grilled goat meat dish popular in Senegal and other West African countries. It is typically served with attieke, a type of cassava couscous. 

  27.  Pilau is a flavorful rice dish with rice, spices, and vegetables. It is popular in East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. 

  28.  Chakalaka is a South African dish with meat, onions, peppers, and spices. It is typically served with pap, a type of porridge made from maize meal. 

  29.  Doro Wat is an iconic Ethiopian and Eritrean stew made with meat, onions, tomatoes, and a spice blend called berbere. It is typically served with injera, a sourdough flatbread. 

  30.  Isi Ewu is a Nigerian delicacy made with goat head meat, onions, and spices. It is typically served with palm wine, a popular alcoholic beverage in Nigeria.

Kai Wat Ethiopian Beef Stew
Kai Wat Ethiopian Beef Stew


Kai Wat Ethiopian Beef Stew Recipe and Directions

Ingredients

1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup beef broth

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1 cup cooked rice


Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside. Add the onion and cook until softened about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the diced tomatoes, chickpeas, beef broth, cilantro, and mint, and boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes or until the beef is cooked through. Serve over cooked rice.

Eat African Food Together and Connect

Eating together with others is a great way to connect with them. Food is an important part of every culture, telling us about the people's history, geography, climate, and traditions. Sharing a meal is a way to be friendly and respectful to others. Trying African food is a good way to learn about new people and cultures.

The African Gourmet Food Charity

Since its inception in 2007, Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet have been on a flavorful journey to showcase Africa's vibrant food and culture. At The African Gourmet Food Charity division, our mission goes beyond nourishment; it's about empowering African communities through the art of cuisine and sustainable food practices. We're dedicated to honoring and preserving Africa's diverse culinary traditions while championing health, economic growth, and environmental responsibility. Through education and support for local ingredients, we cultivate a robust food ecosystem that enriches both individuals and the entire community. Our vision is a future where everyone enjoys access to wholesome, culturally significant meals and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Comments

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Dehorning White and Black Rhinos

Top ten African countries with the most Gold Olympic medals

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Nature Holds Many Secrets | Hurricanes, Angry African Ancestors