Recipes for Classic African Dishes

Could be anywhere in the continent

Jollof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not specifying from which country though bc man’s not about to start a war in the comments about whose country has the best jollof. But jollof is godly. Try it

I have a very adventurous eater at home, and live in a somewhat rural place, but just discovered that there's a tiny market in town that sells African foods/spices/etc. I've had Ethiopian food before, but nothing else that I know of that's specific to the continent, so it's hard for me to judge whether a recipe would be tasty and/or "correct" insofar as whether it's what granny would make at home versus a bowdlerized version of a representative dish/meal. I'd appreciate recommendations.

If you specifically want "what granny would make at home", check out In Bibi's Kitchen. It's a cookbook with interviews and recipes from grandmothers across the East Coast of Africa. The author is Somali and has made videos for Bon Appetit.

I’ve been watching Tasting History for quite a while now, and recently when I watched his video on Hatshepsut and the zalabia (I don’t know if I spelled that correctly), it reminded me a lot of Nigerian puff puff. It sort of made me realize there hasn’t really been an episode on West, South, or even East African recipes (or maybe there has and I just haven’t seen it 😭). But still, I’d really love to see videos on that. Regardless, I still enjoy the videos no matter what lol.

My husband and I have a cookbook we LOVE called “In Bibi’s Kitchen” that is a collection of recipes from Grandmas from African countries along the Indian Ocean. The recipes are delicious and easy to follow. Sometimes there will be a note like “Bibi makes this recipe over the coals of the cooking fire but we’ve adapted the recipe for your oven.” Comes with interviews with the Bibis, it’s very wholesome.

Edit: didn’t see someone else recommended it too! It’s great.

This recipe has never failed me. She's very precise with her measurements.

I am doing a challenge where my spouse and I cook a meal from every country in the world. We've done about 70 countries so far, so lots still to go. However, some winners from Africa so far have been:

• Kuku Paka with Pilau, African Chapati, and Mshkaki [Tanzania]
• Doro Wat and Misir Wat with Spris [Ethiopia]
• Poulet Yassa over Fonio with Avocado Mango Salad [Senegal]
• "Federation" Plate of Baasto Iyo Suugo Tunna, Suqaar Digaag, and Bariis [Somalia]
• Pork Sale ek Lantir with Mango Salad [Seychelles].

So as a stay at home parent I make sure to keep the fridge full of food at all times, and I make sure to keep the food worldly so as to not get bored of the same meals, but also to expand the palate.

I tend to keep the fridge stocked with Latin foods from different countries, Middle Eastern, Eastern Chinese, and Thai inspired dishes - the big continent of Africa however is almost always overlooked (save some Jaffa rice and shakshukah once).

Thank you Users cooks/chefs!

Hope to get some good dish/recipe recommendations ☺️

Hi sub,

Thought I would poll the sub on what African cuisines adventurous eaters have explored and can recommend.

I'm a huge fan of Ethiopian food but - other than Moroccan cuisine - am pretty ignorant on the cuisines and flavor profiles found elsewhere on this massive continent.

I have had a few great dishes (love jollof rice) and am very eager to learn.

I know that Africa is an enormous place and I imagine there's substantial variation between countries but any pointers on interesting cuisines - and ones with substantial overlap - would be much appreciated.

(I love spicy food and big bold flavor profiles!)

I have been wanting to find a new staple African dish for a very long time. My first exposure to African cooking (specifically Nigerian) was jollof rice and I love making party rice now! I am looking for dishes and recipes that are notoriously super tasty, fairly simple to whip up and considered comfort food, so I am sending out a request to this community to share the best and tasty recipes and dishes out there so that I can give it a go!

Here are some of our faves:

• Chermoula chicken (Moroccan)
• Moroccan tagine
• Doro Wat (Ethiopian)
• Babotie (South African)
• Spinach Misir Wat (Ethiopian)
• Bunny Chow (South African)

This recipe for Ethiopian doro wat stew is really good. It does leave out chilli though, and doro wat should be spicy IMO, so add chilli flakes or fresh to your limit!

It's a richly spiced tomato and chicken stew with soft-yolked boiled eggs in it. Warming, lively, forgiving of minor details.

Mafe, from Senegal, is a delicious stew made with peanut butter.

First thing first: Start with Nigerian Jollof Rice. Then figure out whatever else from there 

Considering there are 54 countries in Africa, there are probably at least 54 answers.

Hi All!

Any recommendations on cookbooks, blogs, etc. to find good traditional North and East African recipes? I'd like to prioritize giving my money and ad dollars to people of North and East African decent in the process.

Thanks for any help!

• Jollof Rice - West Africa
• Chicken groundnut/peanut butter stew - West Africa
• Pilau Rice - East Africa
• Chapati - East Africa -Chakalaka - Southern Africa
• Cape Malay Curry - South Africa
• Peanut Butter Rice - Zimbabwe
• Gango / mixed-meat stirfry - Zimbabwe
• Doro Wot - Ethiopia
• Tibs - Ethiopia

Such a fab cookbook! The misir wat recipe is easy and delicious.

West African recipes are most easy to find online. I recommend peanut stew, typically served with fufu.

Brazilian foods typically also have large overlaps with Angolan and Mozambiquen cuisine and are easier to find online (Mufete and Feijoada are big ones!)

Maybe ones that I could try and recreate here in America? I am doing research for a class and if we bring in the food from a historical society then we get extra credit. Preferably west African countries

I'm interested in this (because I'm thinking of a menu to make but since I'm in Southeast Asia, I might not have some of the ingredients, but I'm interested in it anyway). Can anyone explain it to me?

Ifrah F. Ahmed’s new cookbook “Soomaaliya” is pretty great.

As is Nargisse Benkabbou’s “Madaq”.

And I also like Hawa Hassan’s “In Bibi’s Kitchen”.

Legitimately asking: What are some traditional African-American food? I am not American myself and Tv has almost always only portray African American food in the stereotypical manner. My partner suddenly asked me this question and that's when i realised that I didn't have an answer.

Edit: Soul food. Apparently, i could try using keyword 'soul food' to expand my cultural food horizon. Feel free to share specific soul food recommendations for me to look into and try.

Edit to add: Initially, i did try google for answers but the results were more akin to an ingredient list as opposed to dishes (as mentioned in one of my comments). Therefore, the question. And thank you to everyone who explained and answer my question!

Yassa and Mafe are fairly simple braises that don't require advanced skills or constant attention to cook. Incredibly delicious and comforting, too. 

Senegalese food is so underrated.