Exploring different cuisines from around the world is always a blast.? African cuisine is one of the many cuisines that make up the continent. It’s made up of hundreds of different cultures and traditions. Plus, the different climates and growing conditions mean a wide variety of ingredients to choose from. With all the fruits, veggies, and grains, you’re sure to find something satisfying and healthy. Let’s take a trip through Africa with these best African recipes!
1.Suya
Suya is a Nigerian street food dish consisting of beef skewers grated over a base of ground nuts and seasoned with spices. This seasoning mix comprises ground peanuts and brown sugar, salt and pepper, paprika and chili pepper, and is known for its complex flavor and strong aroma. Suya is typically served with white rice, couscous, onions, tomatoes, and Scotch bonnet peppers.
2.Efo Riro
Efo Riro, a Nigerian Spinach Stew, is a delectable blend of Spinach, Palm Oil, Tomato, Peppers, and spices. It can be made with any protein you choose. The traditional ingredients used in this dish include crayfish, iru, and fermented locust beans. It’s so good, and you’ll try it again and again!
3.Maafe
Maafe is an African peanut soup that’s traditionally served with chicken and vegetables. It’s made with a creamy peanut butter base and garlic to give it a rich, velvety flavor. There’s just a hint of crushed red pepper to give some heat. Each bite is full of flavor and filling, so you’ll keep returning for more.
4.Tomato Bredie
Tomato bredie, also known as Bredie, is one of South Africa’s best-loved traditional dishes. Originating from Cape Malay cuisine, Bredie is an Afrikaans word for stew. It consists of simmered lamb or mutton, steamed potatoes, simmered tomatoes, herbs, simmered spices, and simmered tomato gravy. Its mild spiciness gives it a sweet and savory flavor, making it a popular comfort food served over fluffy rice at family get-togethers.
5.Jollof
Jollof is a popular one-pot rice meal from Senegal’s Wolof people. It goes by a variety of names around the world, but it is best recognized for its tomato-based sauce or broth. It’s a staple in West Africa, and there are a few regional variations, but the main distinction is the method of preparation or the ingredients used.
6.Peri Peri Chicken
Peri Peri chicken is a delicious dish made with any chicken cut and marinated. It’s usually served with a homemade Peri Peri sauce, a spicy pepper sauce from South Africa. If you’re ever in South Africa, you have to try this dish – it’s a real treat! They’re always so tender and juicy.
7.Tagine
A tagine is a type of stew from North Africa that’s usually made by braising meat and veggies in a mild spice sauce. This stew is usually served in a pot with a conical lid, commonly called a tagline. Tagines are a type of stew that can contain a variety of meats, fish, vegetables, nuts, preserved fruits, and other ingredients such as apricots, oranges, lemons, olives, etc.
8.Bunny Chow
Bunny Chow is one of South Africa’s most popular street food dishes. Traditionally, it’s a meat-based dish served in a bread bowl. This non-vegetarian version of this dish is made with chicken and potatoes instead of meat. It’s called ‘Bunny Chow’ because it doesn’t has nothing to do with rabbits or bunnies. It’s believed that this dish was first made in Durban by the Indian Banias, who immigrated to South Africa.
9.South African Milk Tart
This milk tart is one of South Africa’s most popular comfort foods. It’s usually served as a dessert or as an afternoon tea treat, usually served cold. The texture of this Southern African Milk Tart is similar to Panna Cotta, but thicker. Corn starch, egg whites and arrowroot powder are commonly used to make this milk tart thick.
10.Harira
Harira is one of the most popular soups in Morocco. It is a tomato, lentil, and chickpea soup rich in flavor and zesty. It is one of the must-try soups in Morocco and is often served in Moroccan homes or restaurants. It is rich in spices such as ginger, pepper, and cinnamon. It is also packed with fresh herbs.
11.Moroccan Couscous
Moroccan couscous is a tender and flavourful dish that is composed of roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and almonds. This dish is ideal for summer and is sure to be a favorite! It can be served as a nutritious lunch or as a accompaniment with fish or chicken for a satisfying and hearty dinner.
12.Bobotie
Bobotie (pronounced “ba-bo-tee”) is South Africa’s most popular traditional meat dish. It combines savory, slightly fruity minced meat and egg custard, baked with bay leaf and spices. This dish is a fusion of Cape Town’s traditional and contemporary cuisines. The minced meat comes from Europe (think of it as mousaka) and the spices come from places like Malaysia and India.
13.Maharagwe
If you’re looking for a delicious African dish, maharagwe is the way to go! It’s stewed red beans with a bunch of other ingredients. It can be served in a sweet or a savory version. The beans are simmered in a mixture of coconut milk and cardamom. The spices used in making maharagwe are cinnamon, onion, tomato, garlic, Curry powder, chili pepper, and green pepper. Maharagwe has some Indian influences in its ingredients.
14.Shakshouka
Shakshouka (pronounced shak-shoo-kah) is a dish that combines eggs with tomato sauce. Shakshouka is a popular dish in North Africa and the Middle East. It is made in cast-iron pan with onions, tomatoes and spices simmered until tomato sauce comes out. The eggs are poached in tomato sauce and cooked until cooked through. You can also add merguez sausage.
15.Ugandan Rolex
Rolex is an underappreciated street food you’ll find in East Africa. Uganda Rolex is a delicious, easy-to-eat meal that you can have any time of the day. It’s a great mix of textures and flavors in a grab-and-go roll. It’s so popular that there’s even a festival dedicated to it!
16.Nigerian Stew
Nigerian Stew, also called as Nigerian Tomato Stew, is a widely consumed West African dish consisting of a hash made from fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, red bell pepper, and Scottish bonnet peppers. The stew is typically comprises of animal proteins such as fish, goat, beef, lamb, and chicken drumsticks.
17.Nigerian Fried Rice
Nigerian Fried Rice is a traditional Nigerian dish enjoyed as a lunch, dinner, or even at parties. This recipe is a simple yet delectable dish. Adding beef liver and vegetables to the fried rice gives it a rich but delicate taste, which is why it’s one of Nigeria’s most popular dishes. This fried rice is completely different from traditional Asian Chicken Fried rice.
18.Akara
Akara is a fried bean fritter commonly found in West African nations and Brazil. The most popular bean used for this crunchy snack is black-eyed peas. However, other beans may be used, each with its unique flavor and texture. Akara may be served as a snack, appetizer, or accompaniment to a savory sauce and is best served fresh and crispy.
19.Loubia
Stir-fried white beans are a classic North African dish loved by many in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. The beans are simmered in a spicy tomato-based sauce and then served over homemade flatbread. It’s a great comfort food and served as a starter, garnished with coriander or herbs, or as a side dish. It’s especially great when filled with fried fish.
20.Cape Malay Curry
Spicy but not too hot, this Cape Malay curry with turmeric cinnamon rice has just the right amount of sweetness from the apricots to balance it out. The addition of cinnamon and turmeric to the rice makes it even better. Vegetables are great for this stew.
