Image Courtesy of: http://www.you.co.za/food/malva-pudding/
The holiday season is the perfect time to be adventurous with food. Trying a new recipe can be a great way to explore different flavors while showcasing your culinary skills for friends and family.
We've selected five flavorful dishes from different parts of Africa that you can easily add to your dinner table this holiday season
1. Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is a well known dish across many West African countries and is a great alternative to white or pilaf rice. It’s extremely flavorful and depending on your spice tolerance, you can adjust the spice level to your preference. Although there are regional differences in the way it’s made (Yes, “Jollof Wars” is a thing), like Chef Pierre Thiam, we believe Jollof has no borders.
Try London based chef, Nudu by Fafa’s great recipe for this flavorful rice dish.
2. Injera + Kik Wot
Image Courtesy of:http://southernwild.com.au/
Dig your fingers deep into this Ethiopian staple. For Ethiopians, Injera is a national dish served at most meals. Made from Teff, an iron rich grain, this sour and spongy flatbread is a guilt-free, gluten free option that can be paired with Ethiopian stews such as doro wat or tibs. For a vegetarian option, try yellow split pea stew with your Injera.
Helina Tesega of Eat Ethio has a great recipe for Kik Wot, a yellow split pea stew.
Don’t want to buy your Injera? Try Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s recipe from his cookbook Soul of a New Cuisine.
3. Lamb Mafé
Mafé (spelled various ways), can be tied back to the Wolof people of Senegal and Gambia. Similar to groundnut soup (found in many African countries) Mafe has peanuts and tomatoes as a base. This dish was certainly a crowd favorite at our dinner with world renowned chef, Pierre Thiam. Chef Thiam paired his Lamb Mafe dish with Fonio, an ancient grain,as part of the five course menu curated for the intimate dinner. Don’t eat meat? Just, substitute lamb with fish.
If you missed the event, you can still learn how to make this delicious dish.
4. Ugali + Chicken Stew
Image courtesy of Vogue
Last year, Lupita Nyong’o took Vogue on a tour of her country, Kenya, and confessed that she didn’t know how to make Kenya’s staple, Ugali. She later rectified that by showing us how it’s made and sharing her family recipe. Ugali is made of maize (white starch) and is boiled, pounded, and molded into a ball that is typically eaten with a sauce or stew. Like fufu & Eba (popular in Ghana & Nigeria), this dish is best eaten with your hands, but, if you must, utensils won’t hurt.
Compliment the dish with food blogger, Anika’s Kuku (chicken) stew.
5. Malva Pudding
End your holiday dinner with something sweet. Try making Malva pudding as an alternative to a pie. It must be good because Oprah Winfrey served this pudding to “her girls” at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy's first Christmas dinner.
We want to hear from you! Comment below with the recipes you are adding to your holiday dinner this year.
