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...
I got my first food catering job at the age of 11. I was in primary 6 (which is 6th grade in America). It was my final year in primary school. This was a public government school so there was no graduation party. As students, we decided to take matters into our own hands, and organize one ourselves! We contributed money to purchase food, but there was no one to cook. I decided to give it a try. With the help of my aunty and mom, I was able to cook jollof rice and chicken for my friends at school. Everyone was impressed- especially my teachers! So here I am today, cooking and putting recipes together daily. This is possible...
