Africa – Page 2 – Notes From a Messy Kitchen

Libya: Hraimeh

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Africa

Libya

Hraimeh (sometimes spelled Chraimeh) originated among Jewish immigrants who came to Libya in the late 19th century. Hraimeh means “hot,” and this fish is cooked in a spicy tomato sauce reminiscent of harissa. This is often served as the first course of the Sabbath meal, or may also be served at Seder. Libyan...

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Sudan: Ful Medames

Africa

Sudan

Ful Medames (pronounced fool mu-dah-mahs, and sometimes simply called “ful”) is a delicious and very colorful fava bean dish, typically eaten for breakfast. However, fava beans – one of the oldest domesticated legumes – are full of protein and fiber, making this dish a filling option for any meal. In fact,...

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Senegal: Thiéboudienne

Cooking Time: 2 hours

Africa

Senegal

Thiéboudienne (pronounced CHEH bu JEN) is the national dish of Senegal. The name of the dish is the French transcription of the Wolof words ceebu jën meaning “rice” (ceeb) and “fish” (jën). Wolof is a language of Senegal, but not the official language – that’s French. Senegal was a colony of France until 1960....

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Republic of Congo: Poulet à la Moambé

Africa

Republic of Congo

Can you believe this is the 50th country we’ve visited this year on our culinary journey?! Poulet à la Moambé, or chicken in red palm oil, is considered the national dish of both the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo; as I mentioned when we tried Ndizi Wa Nazi back in...

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South Africa: Bobotie

Cooking Time: 1 hr

South Africa

I have numerous tales to tell of this dish, mostly of the Messy Kitchen mishaps variety. I’m very fortunate to have a partner on this journey who is willing to procure the provisions required to make it a success (translation: thank you, Courtney, for being my own personal Peapod). However,...

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Democratic Republic of Congo: Ndizi Wa Nazi

Cooking Time: 20

Democratic Republic of Congo

I’m a little anxious about what the title of this post might draw to my blog, but in Swahili “zdizi wa nazi” means quite literally “banana with coconut.” Popular in African and Caribbean cooking, plantains are a member of the banana family, and can either refer more colloquially to any banana that...

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Algeria: Makroud Tmar

Cooking Time: 90 minutes

Algeria

Makroud (sometimes makrout, maqroud, or maqrout) means diamond, describing the shape of this semolina pastry, common across North Africa and the Middle East. You’ll find the most varieties in Algeria, and this one filled with dates (tmar) and dipped in a honey/orange blossom mixture is one of the most traditional. Orange...

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Nigeria: Jollof Rice with Chicken

Cooking Time: Rice: 45 minutes Chicken: 1 hour

Africa

Nigeria

What do you know, another celebration dish! I seem to be drawn to them. A steaming pot of jollof rice is the mainstay at birthday parties, naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals and pretty much any family get together across West Africa. But while it’s the source of much joy, it’s also...

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Egypt: Om Ali

Cooking Time: 45

Africa

Egyptian

Om Ali (“mother of Ali”) is a traditional Egyptian take on bread pudding, made from phyllo (filo, fillo), dough layered with nuts, raisins and butter… lots of butter! Legend has it that Om Ali was the wife of an Egyptian sultan. When he died, his second wife had a dispute...

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Tunisia: Shakshuka

Cooking Time: 30

Tunisian

Shakshuka is a popular breakfast food in Israel. It’s often thought of as a Middle Eastern dish, but it actually originates in the North African country of Tunisia. It’s common that the influences of other countries are adopted and you forget where they came from to begin with, only remembering how much you...

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