The new school year is upon us! Backpacks are prepped, notebooks are pristine, and excitement fills the air. But amidst the new schedules and early mornings, one question looms: what to pack in the lunchbox? Remember those days of sad, soggy sandwiches and wilted fruit? We've all been there. This year, ditch the lunchbox blues and opt for a world of flavors with a back-to-school African food fiesta! Imagine the look on your child's face when they open their lunchbox to find: Akarapancake Stacks:These fluffy Nigerian pancakes, made with beans, are packed with protein and taste incredible drizzled with honey or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. They're the perfect sweet and satisfying way to start the day. Drop Donut Delights: These...
Have you ever stopped to wonder about the secret ingredients that give your favorite African dish its unique flavor profile? Today, we're delving into the world of a tiny seed with a long and fascinating history: fenugreek! A Spice with Ancient Roots Fenugreek seeds weren't just discovered by modern chefs. Evidence suggests they were popular for their culinary and medicinal uses in ancient Egypt, possibly even during the time of the pyramids! Fast forward thousands of years, and this golden spice graces tables across the globe. It's a star ingredient in Indian curries, a component of European medicines, and even finds its way into beauty products. More Than Just Flavor Fenugreek isn't just another spice that adds a kick to...
Dads.They wear many hats. One minute they are fixing a leaky faucet, the next they are patiently explaining fractions with a plate of cookies as teaching aids. They're the shoulder to cry on after a scraped knee, the loudest cheerleader at every school play, and the life of the party at events. Speaking of events, Father's Day is the perfect occasion to show your appreciation through food. Imagine the joy on his face as you present him with a platter that includes: Barbecue Fire up the grill and serve some mouth-watering barbecue. The rich, smoky flavor, enhanced by Flourish Spices, will transport his taste buds straight to the heart of Africa. Pepper Soup Warm his soul with a steaming bowl of pepper soup. This...
The kitchen was smoky and filled with the warm aroma of spices and sauce. Aunty Funke, a matriarch with hands seasoned by years of cooking was at it again. She was stirring a pot of rich egusi, seafood and leafy greens simmered in palm oil base. The palm oil made it a beautiful sight to behold! Palm oil is the heart and soul of countless African dishes, passed down through generations. This versatile ingredient adds layers of flavor and texture to different dishes. Here are some popular African dishes cooked with palm oil: Native Jollof Rice This is a one-pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, and protein (chicken, beef, fish, or vegetables). Palm oil gives jollof rice its signature reddish color and...
My grandma, Mrs Bernice Adeosun (Mama Olowo) was a sorceress in the kitchen. Her stews always simmered with a depth of flavor that tickle my taste buds. The secret? A seafood – crayfish. Now, I know what you might be thinking. Crayfish? Isn't that just a smaller cousin of lobster? Well, yes, but in the world of African cuisine, it's so much more. It increases the aroma of food and elevates a simple dish to a masterpiece. Crayfish is either used whole or grounded into powder for seasoning all sorts of dishes. Here's how to incorporate crayfish into your dishes: Soups and stews: A little goes a long way! Add a handful of whole crayfish or a teaspoon of crayfish powder to your...
