African Recipes Archives - Chef's Pencil https://www.chefspencil.com/african-recipes/ Professional Chef Recipes Mon, 12 May 2025 10:19:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.chefspencil.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-favicon-chefspencil1-32x32.png African Recipes Archives - Chef's Pencil https://www.chefspencil.com/african-recipes/ 32 32 Homemade Moroccan Spice Blend https://www.chefspencil.com/moroccan-spice/ https://www.chefspencil.com/moroccan-spice/#respond Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:42:19 +0000 https://chefspencil.com/?post_type=recipe&p=4114 This Moroccan spice mix is perfect for marinating, coating or rubbing.

Although you could just go out and buy premixed spices making them yourself will give you a much nicer flavour and the comfort that you will not be consuming all sorts of preservatives, sugar, and anti-caking agents. For this recipe I have quoted the ingredients in parts in order that you can make as much mix as you like, whether that be a few tablespoons or a couple of kilo’s.

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This Moroccan spice mix is perfect for marinating, coating or rubbing.

Although you could just go out and buy premixed spices from your local store, making them yourself will give you a much nicer flavor, and the comfort that you will not be consuming all sorts of preservatives, sugar, and anti-caking agents.

For this homemade Moroccan spice blend recipe I have quoted the ingredients in parts so that you can make as much mix as you like, whether that be a few tablespoons or a couple of kilos.

Enjoy!

Homemade Moroccan Spice Blend
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Moroccan Spice Blend

Course Spices
Cuisine Moroccan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 container
Author Paul Hegeman

Ingredients

  • 2 parts dried turmeric powder
  • 2 parts dried coriander powder
  • 2 dried cumin powder
  • 1 part lemon pepper
  • 1 part cinnamon

Instructions

  • Take all the ingredients and place in a jar or bucket with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously until evenly combined.
  • Keep in mind there is no salt in this mix unlike the commercial varieties so when using it be sure to season accordingly.

Notes

Moroccan Spice

Related: Moroccan Food: Best 25 Moroccan Dishes w/ Recipes
Related: Moroccan Swordfish on Creamy Polenta with Coriander & Lemon Oil
Related: Lamb Shank Tagine

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Moroccan Swordfish on Creamy Polenta with Coriander & Lemon Oil https://www.chefspencil.com/moroccan-swordfish-on-creamy-polenta-with-coriander-and-lemon-oil/ https://www.chefspencil.com/moroccan-swordfish-on-creamy-polenta-with-coriander-and-lemon-oil/#respond Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:19:08 +0000 https://chefspencil.com/?post_type=recipe&p=4116 This recipe is a wonderful marriage of flavours and cultures.

Some will claim swordfish, is a very boring fish, and in all honesty it is a bit simple on its own. However it is that simple flavour that I find so appealing about swordfish, it can be turned into virtually any style of recipe you want. Some fish, salmon for instance, is a beautiful fish but due to its rich distinct prominent flavour it is not as versatile as our humble sword. Imagine either fish with a nice herbed pilaf and a classic beurre blanc, but don't try putting both into a salty sweet Chinese stir fry.
In this recipe I have used a tender piece of sword as a platform to get across some very distinct Moroccan flavours, served it on some soft polenta, topped it with some Greek inspired cucumber mint yoghurt and dressed it all with a unique coriander and caraway oil dressing.

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This Moroccan swordfish recipe is a wonderful marriage of flavors and cultures.

Some will claim swordfish is a very boring fish, and in all honesty it is a bit simple on its own. However it is that simple flavor that I find so appealing about swordfish as it can be turned into virtually any style of recipe you want.

Some fish, salmon for instance, is a beautiful fish but due to its rich distinct prominent flavor it is not as versatile as our humble sword. Imagine either fish with a nice herbed pilaf and a classic beurre blanc, but don’t try putting both into a salty sweet Chinese stir fry.

In this recipe I have used a tender piece of sword as a platform to get across some very distinct Moroccan flavors, served it on some soft polenta, topped it with some Greek inspired cucumber mint yoghurt and dressed it all with a unique coriander and caraway oil dressing.

Enjoy!

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Moroccan Swordfish on Creamy Polenta with Coriander and Lemon Oil

Course Main Course
Cuisine African
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating 1 day
Total Time 1 day 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Paul Hegeman

Ingredients

Swordfish:

  • 4 swordfish steaks
  • Moroccan spice mix
  • vegetable oil
  • sea salt flakes
  • pepper grinder

Polenta:

  • 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • cups polenta
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 2 ½ cups fresh cream
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • white wine
  • sea salt flakes
  • pepper grinder

Yoghurt:

  • 3/4 thick European style yoghurt
  • 1/2 Lebanese cucumber

Instructions

Swordfish:

  • Best if marinated at least 24 hrs in advance.
  • Mix some salt and pepper into the Moroccan spice mix.
  • Rub each one of steaks with a fair bit of the mix on both sides and then place them into a shallow dish of vegetable oil, ensuring they are completely covered with the oil, place in refrigerator for at least 24 hrs.

Swordfish:

  • Combine the yoghurt, cucumber, mint, coriander and a touch of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.

Dressing:

  • Toast the caraway seeds in a dry pan until fragrant, remove from the pan and allow to cool slightly.
  • In a food processor blend the seeds until broken, add the coriander leaves, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper and process on high whilst slowly pouring in some olive oil until a nice glossy green consistency.

Polenta:

  • Warm the milk and cream together in a medium saucepan over low heat.
  • In a medium to large saucepan sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until soft and translucent.
  • Turn the heat up to high and evaporate a good splash of white wine in the saucepan.
  • Once most of the wine has disappeared add half the cream and milk and bring to the boil, stir in the polenta and reduce to a simmer and continue to stir.
  • As the polenta becomes hard to stir, slowly add in some more cream and milk and continue to stir.
  • Taste the polenta as you cook it and once the texture is smooth and no longer granular, stir in the parmesan cheese, parsley and season to taste.
  • Unless you prefer your polenta quite sloppy and creamy you should have a bit of milk and cream left over.

Final Preparation and Assembly:

  • Preheat oven to 180 ℃ (350 ℉).
  • Remove the fish from the marinating oil and allow them to drain briefly.
  • In a non-stick fry pan sear the swordfish steaks for a minute on each side and transfer them to the oven for a further 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile return the polenta to low heat, stir in some more cream and milk if required.
  • Arrange the polenta evenly in the centre of the plates, place the sword fish on top of the polenta, dollop a tbsp of the yoghurt mix on the fish and then drizzle some of the dressing over it all, allowing some to pool around and the polenta.

Notes

Moroccan Swordfish on Creamy Polenta with Coriander and Lemon Oil

Related: Swordfish in Sweet and Sour Sauce
Related: Mediterranean Food: 30 Iconic Dishes You Should Try
Related: Best 25 Moroccan Dishes w/ Recipes
Related: Rabbit Stew with Fried Polenta

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Mandazi (African Donuts) https://www.chefspencil.com/mandazi-african-donuts/ https://www.chefspencil.com/mandazi-african-donuts/#respond Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:29:06 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=60428 Mandazi (also known as maandazi or ndao and sometimes mahamri or mamri) is a slightly sweet, famous snack that you can get on the roadside in most East African countries, as well as in local cafés and bakeries. In Kenya, mandazi can be found pretty much everywhere from village markets to inner cities where they...

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Mandazi (also known as maandazi or ndao and sometimes mahamri or mamri) is a slightly sweet, famous snack that you can get on the roadside in most East African countries, as well as in local cafés and bakeries.

In Kenya, mandazi can be found pretty much everywhere from village markets to inner cities where they are sold by street vendors. One piece is sold for 5 shillings, equivalent to a nickel, and mandazis are often eaten by children on their way to school.

These triangular fried pastries are typically served for breakfast with a cup of tea. They are lightly flavored with ground cardamom and get their richness from the coconut milk used to bind the dough. Though they originated along the Swahili Coast, they are now available throughout the country. I prefer them hot, but they’re also wonderful cold. 

This mandazi recipe will get you jumping for joy the moment you are done. You can adapt the recipe to your taste; try freshly ground cardamom seeds or cinnamon instead for an even stronger taste. If you don’t like your snacks too sweet, half the amount of sugar.

Also make sure not to overcrowd the pan as this will prevent the dough cooking properly.

However, let’s start with the basics. The first step for this recipe is to activate the yeast. Place the warm water in a bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Stir to combine and (this is optional) add a pinch of sugar to the mixture, which helps the yeast start metabolizing. After preparing the yeast, mix together the dry ingredients and add them to the yeast mixture.

Next step will be to prepare the dough, note you don’t want the dough to be too sticky so you can also add a little more flour if needed.

Next, on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough with both hands until smooth and elastic. Knead for about 10 to 15 minutes, coating hands with oil or flour to work into the dough to prevent sticking.

Allow the dough to rise in a warm environment for an hour after kneading. Divide the dough into four equal sections when it has risen and doubled in size.

Begin by flattening one piece with a rolling pin and shaping it into a tiny round. Repeat with the remaining dough halves, cutting the circle into six triangles. After this you may proceed to fry in a preheated deep-frying oil.

Mandazi (African Donuts)
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Mandazi (African Donuts)

Course Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine African, Kenyan, Tanzanian
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp instant yeast
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cardamon
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup lukewarm milk
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 egg
  • oil for frying

Instructions

  • Place lukewarm water in a bowl then add the yeast to it. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  • Add sugar, egg, milk and stir well. Add the flour 1 cup at a time, cinnamon, cardamom and salt then stir to form a dough, that comes together and is easily handled.
  • Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it is soft and smooth.
  • Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes.
  • Flour a board then form dough into a board and place on it. Roll out into a rectangle that is ¼ inch thick. Cut the rolled out dough into squares then cut the squares across into triangles.
  • Let the cut-out dough rest for 20 minutes.
  • Heat the oil for frying in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Flatten each triangle dough with your hands and gently place into the hot oil.
  • Fry the mandazi for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
  • Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.
  • Serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Mandazi (African Donuts)

For more local treats, check out our story on the most popular Kenyan desserts and sweets.

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Nigerian Fried Rice https://www.chefspencil.com/nigerian-fried-rice/ https://www.chefspencil.com/nigerian-fried-rice/#respond Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:06:03 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=57067 Nigerian fried rice is a multicolored dish of tasty yellow rice and a wide array of healthy vegetables. It is known as the sibling of jollof rice, and they are often served side-by-side with fried or roasted chicken at owanbes (Nigerian wedding parties), Christmas gatherings, or Sunday outings. Nigerian fried rice is made with stir-fried...

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Nigerian fried rice is a multicolored dish of tasty yellow rice and a wide array of healthy vegetables. It is known as the sibling of jollof rice, and they are often served side-by-side with fried or roasted chicken at owanbes (Nigerian wedding parties), Christmas gatherings, or Sunday outings.

Nigerian fried rice is made with stir-fried vegetables (excluding tomatoes, which is what makes it different from the tantalizing jollof rice) mixed with parboiled long-grain rice marinated in chicken stock.

If you want to make it vegan, you can leave out the beef liver, pork, and chicken entirely!

Enjoy this classic Nigerian fried rice recipe!

Nigerian Fried Rice
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Nigerian Fried Rice

Don’t be discouraged by the long list of ingredients as some of them are not mandatory and you can skip the ones that you are unable to source. However, curry powder, seasoning, stock and thyme are mandatory and should never miss from an authentic Nigerian fried rice.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Nigerian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • 8 tbsp vegetable oil/sunflower oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tsps curry powder
  • 1 tbsp thyme/parsley/oregano
  • 3 tbsps diced green bell pepper
  • 1 tbsp butter or margarine
  • 2 medium-sized onions
  • 3 stock cubes optional
  • 3 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 500 g long-grain parboiled rice
  • 3 tbsp yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1 can sweet corn
  • 200 g diced carrots
  • 100 g green peas
  • 100 g spring onion diced
  • 100 g pork sausage diced
  • 100 g liver cooked and chopped
  • 2 kg whole chicken or chicken drumsticks

Instructions

  • To prepare the fried rice, wash all the vegetables. The carrots should be scraped and chopped into small cubes. Chop one onion and the spring onions. Set each of these apart.
  • Cook the liver and chop into small pieces. You can cook the liver alongside the chicken to save time.
  • Parboil the rice and cook for 15 minutes then drain using a colander.

Prepare the chicken stock:

  • Put the chicken into a large pot, and add chopped onions, thyme, curry powder, garlic (chopped), and one chicken stock cube.
    Cook for 20 minutes then remove the chicken and drain the chicken stock. The chicken stock is essential to add that chicken taste to the fried rice. However, if you do not have chicken, you can make your own stock by cooking chicken condiment spice, salt, and stock cubes for 10 minutes.
    Or better still, and saving time, use a canned chicken stock. However, nothing beats a delicious, fresh chicken stock.

Prepare the rice:

  • Put the parboiled rice into a clean pot, pour in the chicken stock, and add a cup of water. If 1 cup is not sufficient, add another. However, the water should be at the same level as the rice, or slightly lower. This will prevent the rice becoming overcooked and will ensure all the water is absorbed.
  • Add some margarine or butter to the pot, and add the curry powder, thyme, pork sausage, chopped liver, and extra chopped garlic to the mixture. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • In a separate saucepan, add all your vegetables (both fresh and canned), a tablespoon of butter, one chicken stock cube, and a teaspoon of salt to taste. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour the stir-fried veggies into the pot containing the rice and stir thoroughly. Cook for another 1 minute over low heat.
  • The rice ought to be cooked just right once the water is absorbed. The ideal fried rice has separate grains that are firm and bite-resistant.
  • Deep fry the drumsticks in hot oil for 15 minutes till golden-brown.

Notes

Nigerian Fried Rice

For more local recipes, check out our round-up of the best Nigerian foods.

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Kenyan Bhajia (Potato Fritters) https://www.chefspencil.com/kenyan-bhajia-potato-fritters/ https://www.chefspencil.com/kenyan-bhajia-potato-fritters/#respond Wed, 08 Mar 2023 07:47:34 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=59383 Although originating in India where it’s known as aloo bhajia, potato bhajia is one of the most popular street foods in Kenya. Kenya is home to a large Indian community, and much of the indigenous East African food is combined with Indian flavors resulting some amazing dishes that you can’t simply find anywhere. These delectable...

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Although originating in India where it’s known as aloo bhajia, potato bhajia is one of the most popular street foods in Kenya.

Kenya is home to a large Indian community, and much of the indigenous East African food is combined with Indian flavors resulting some amazing dishes that you can’t simply find anywhere.

These delectable potato fritters are a favorite local snack and they can also served as an appetizer. They are gluten-free as they are made with chickpea flour and corn flour, giving them their remarkable taste.

Enjoy this classic Kenyan bhajia recipe!

Kenyan Bhajia
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Kenyan Bhajia (Potato Fritters)

These Kenyan potato fritters are a gluten-free version of the Indian aloo bhajia and simply delicious.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine African, Kenyan
Keyword BHAJIA, POTATO FRITTERS
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 2.2 lb potatoes
  • 3 ¼ cups chickpea flour
  • 1 cup corn flour
  • ½ tsp turmeric optional
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic and ginger powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 green jalapeno
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 3 cups water

Tomato dipping sauce:

  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 tsp fresh coriander to taste
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper

Instructions

  • Peel and finely slice the potatoes into equal sizes to cook evenly. Place in a bowl with add ice cubes, and put aside until you're ready to cook. Dry them completely using either kitchen or paper towels.
  • For the batter, mix together the chickpea flour and all the spices in a bowl.
  • Slowly add the water while continually mixing to create a smooth batter. Stir all the time to to prevent the batter from forming lumps.
  • Heat the oil in a saucepan to 320° F (160° C).
  • Drain the potatoes and dip them in the batter.
  • Carefully place in the vegetable oil and fry till golden brown, around 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown.
  • Remove and place on paper towels to drain the excess oil and repeat until all the potatoes are cooked.

Tomato dipping sauce:

  • Add all the ingredients into a blender and add 1 cup of water. Blend until everything mixed together.
  • Add the blended mixture into a saucer pan and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until it thickens and becomes darker in colour. Remove and serve alongside the hot potato bhajias.

Notes

Kenyan Bhajia_1

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Nigerian Tomato Stew https://www.chefspencil.com/nigerian-tomato-stew/ https://www.chefspencil.com/nigerian-tomato-stew/#respond Mon, 27 Feb 2023 08:43:49 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=57046 Tomato stew is the most popular stew in Nigeria. As there are plenty of tomatoes and peppers grown here, it makes perfect sense that Nigerians would create a delicious and nourishing stew based on these two staple local ingredients. Nigerian tomato stew can be customized to suit your taste. It is prepared using a variety...

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Tomato stew is the most popular stew in Nigeria. As there are plenty of tomatoes and peppers grown here, it makes perfect sense that Nigerians would create a delicious and nourishing stew based on these two staple local ingredients.

Nigerian tomato stew can be customized to suit your taste. It is prepared using a variety of proteins, including chicken, turkey, fish, ram, and goat, each one giving the dish a quite different taste.

The stew is best accompanied by rice, spaghetti, plantain, or either boiled or fried yams.

Enjoy!

Tips for cooking the tomato stew:

Tip 1: When frying tomatoes, use more vegetable oil than you think you need. This will prevent burning until the tomatoes have completely lost their sour flavor and all of their water has evaporated.

When the tomatoes are well cooked, you may dump away the extra oil. Even if you stand there stirring fervently, your stew will burn if you don’t have enough vegetable oil. But don’t worry; you can drain the excess oil when you’re done cooking.

Tip 2: Take note that some tomato species are simply not suitable for this stew. The ideal tomatoes for the Nigerian tomato stew are fresh plum tomatoes since all the other local varieties either have a lot of seeds or have a lot of water in them. Roma tomatoes and plum tomatoes are both great choices.

Tip 3: Tinned tomato paste and puree. The tinned tomato paste sold in Nigeria is usually very thick and concentrated. If you try to fry this tomato paste as is it, it will burn straight away, unless you are using enough vegetable oil. What is normally done is to add some cold water to it, to bring it to the softer consistency but, if you are using tomato puree, don’t add in water to mix it. Note that, adding little water to mix your tinned tomato is optional.

Tip 4. Whenever you are making your stew, tinned tomato is always added first, before adding your boiled, blended tomato mixture.

Tip 5: The general practice is to blend/grind the tomatoes, peppers, and onions, boil and use for frying, while some will fry the blended/ground tomatoes mixture straight without boiling it. The challenge with the last method is that, frying time is more longer, as the oil prevents the water from evaporating fast.

Enjoy this classic Nigerian tomato stew recipe!

Nigerian Tomato Stew
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Nigerian Tomato Stew

This authentic, go-to recipe can be used for every type of tomato stew, for example, Buka stew, turkey stew, etc.
Course Main Course, stew
Cuisine African, Nigerian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

Main ingredients:

  • chicken or fish (of choice)
  • fresh tomatoes 20 plum
  • tatashe 6 ground medium size
  • fresh peppers to taste
  • tinned tomatoes
  • garlic 5 crushed cloves
  • ginger ground half finger
  • onion 2 large, chopped
  • chicken goat, or fish flavor (of choice)
  • curry powder 1 tbsp
  • thyme 1 tbsp
  • vegetable oil of choice
  • stock cubes of choice
  • salt to taste

Optional Ingredients:

  • nutmeg ground, 1 tsp
  • crayfish ground, 2 tbsp
  • red bell pepper 2 medium size
  • black pepper ground, 1 tbsp
  • paprika powder 1 tsp
  • bay leaves 4 leaves
  • scent leaf a handful
  • curry leaf a handful
  • stew mix spices 1 tbsp (optional)

Alternative ingredients:

  • chicken goat, beef, or fish
  • curry powder or curry leaves
  • fresh or tinned tomatoes
  • dry or fresh garlic/ginger
  • thyme or rosemary
  • stock cube or bouillon powder
  • vegetable oil or palm oil
  • seasoning flavors of choice

Instructions

Preparation before cooking:

  • Chop some of the onion into big chunks and slice the rest finely.
  • If using it, grind the crayfish.
  • Wash the vegetables and de-seed the tatashe.

Procedure for cooking the stew:

  • Cooking Nigerian tomato stew involves 3 major steps:
  • Precooking the blended/grounded tomato mixture.
  • Parboiling the meat (chicken, goat, lamb, beef, or fish).
  • Frying and cooking the stew.

Precooking the blended/grounded tomato mixture:

  • Wash, chop, and blend/grind the fresh tomatoes, fresh peppers, tatashe or bell peppers, chopped onion, garlic, and ginger until smooth. If you are using a blender, blend small quantities at a time so that the mixture blends properly and that you don't overwork the blender.
  • Pour the tomato mixture into a pot and boil on high heat until the water evaporates, then set aside. Do not allow it to burn. You can also boil the tomato mixture halfway and then sieve it to get rid of the water if you don't want to wait till it evaporates.

Parboiling and frying the meat (chicken, goat, lamb, beef, or fish):

  • Wash and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and place in a pot. Add some of the sliced onions, the thyme, curry powder, ground pepper, crushed garlic, and ginger. Do not add any water. Let the meat cook in its juices until almost dry, then pour in some water and adjust the seasoning. Cover and let cook until soft. Remove the meat from the stock and set aside to drain any excess liquid.
  • Heat some vegetable oil in a deep-frying pan or pot and fry some of the onion until brown, but not burnt (the onion helps to season the oil and add flavor to the meat). Remove the onion and discard. Fry the meat until golden and crisp, but not burnt.
  • Remove the meat and drain on paper towel.
  • Fry the rest of the meat in batches until done.
  • Alternatively, for a healthier option, steam, roast or grill the meat.
  • To roast the chicken, place on a rack in the oven at 330° F/ 165° C for 10 to 15 minutes or until it has become golden brown, and set aside.
  • The time for steaming chicken depends on the type of chicken you are using. Rooster or cockerel cooks much faster than hen, but hen is definitely tastier than the rooster.
  • Also, the time for cooking time the meat will depend on the type of meat you use, but it is important you allow your meat to boil until it is tender.

Frying and cooking the tomato stew:

  • In a pot, heat the vegetable oil on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes (you can use the vegetable oil that was used to fry the chicken or meat). When the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and garlic and fry until the onion is translucent for about 3 to 5 minutes on low heat.
  • Pour in the remaining thyme and curry powder, and stir-fry for 3 minutes. This step is very important for giving the stew, and your kitchen, an excellent aroma.
  • Add the tinned tomato paste and stir fry for 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure you fry your tinned tomato before adding the tomato mixture.
  • Add the tomato mixture and let fry for 10 to 14 minutes on low to medium heat or until the oil separates from the tomato mixture and starts floating on top of the stew. Make sure you cook the stew on low heat.
  • Add the nutmeg, stock cubes, salt, curry powder, thyme, and other spices. This step is what will give your stew the perfect taste.
  • Pour in the chicken stock. Use as much as stock as you need for the consistency you want, but do not make the stew too watery.
  • Add the fried or grilled meat and cook for 7 to 10 minutes on low heat, so that the flavors absorb into the meat.
  • Taste for seasoning and other spices like nutmeg, curry powder, peppers, or stock cubes. Taste to ensure the raw tomato taste is gone.
  • When the taste and consistency are to your liking, turn off the heat.
  • When the stew is cooked, you may remove some of the oil if there is too much.

Notes

Nigerian Tomato Stew
Nigerian Tomato stew

If you love Nigerian cuisine, check out our story on the most popular foods in Nigeria.

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Nigerian Zobo Drink (Sorrel Drink) https://www.chefspencil.com/nigerian-zobo-drink-sorrel-drink/ https://www.chefspencil.com/nigerian-zobo-drink-sorrel-drink/#respond Mon, 27 Feb 2023 08:29:49 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=57093 Nigerian zobo drink, an ox-red or burgundy drink, is also known as traditional iced tea, sorrel or bissap. It is simple to prepare at home and an amazingly refreshing treat to offer guests. Children adore this healthy, medicinal beverage (yes, it has no added sugar) because it colors their tongues and it’s super tasty. Enjoy...

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Nigerian zobo drink, an ox-red or burgundy drink, is also known as traditional iced tea, sorrel or bissap.

It is simple to prepare at home and an amazingly refreshing treat to offer guests. Children adore this healthy, medicinal beverage (yes, it has no added sugar) because it colors their tongues and it’s super tasty.

Enjoy this delicious sorrel drink recipe!

Nigerian Zobo Drink
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Nigerian Zobo

Authentic zobo is blood red and can help cure a cold with its fusion of medicinal ingredients.
Course Drinks
Cuisine Nigerian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 10
Author Chef’s Pencil Staff

Ingredients

  • 2 kg hibiscus leaves
  • 100 g cloves
  • 4 lemons
  • 1 pineapple
  • 2 ginger optional
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 l water

Instructions

  • Wash the hibiscus leaves in a clean dish to get rid of the sand, dirt, and debris. Run the faucet repeatedly to rinse twice.
  • Slice the ginger, lemons, and pineapple using a cutting board. The cleaned hibiscus should be combined with the remaining ingredients and boiled for 30 minutes in a pot. Let it cool naturally so the flavors infuse.
  • Decant or filter the mixture and add ice and sparkling water (optional). Serve and garnish with orange and cucumber for extra flavor.

Notes

Zobo Drink

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Mukimo (Mokimo) https://www.chefspencil.com/mukimo/ https://www.chefspencil.com/mukimo/#respond Fri, 24 Feb 2023 11:14:21 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=59537 Mukimo, or mokimo, is a staple Kenyan food which originated in central Kenya, but it’s now enjoyed in many regions of the country, including Nairobi, its capital city. It is now served in restaurants, hotels, and eateries all around the country, and even in neighboring East African countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Mukimo...

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Mukimo, or mokimo, is a staple Kenyan food which originated in central Kenya, but it’s now enjoyed in many regions of the country, including Nairobi, its capital city.

It is now served in restaurants, hotels, and eateries all around the country, and even in neighboring East African countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Mukimo is similar to mashed potatoes, but with a twist and you can find it often served at weddings, birthdays, Christmas, funerals, and other festivities.

It can be paired with a variety of stews, pork, fish, eggs, spinach, kale, and mushrooms.

Mukimo (Mokimo)
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Kenyan Mukimo (Mokimo)

Course Breakfast
Cuisine African, Kenyan
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 42 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • 2.2 lb potatoes
  • 2 handfuls of pumpkin leaves/spinach soft and fresh
  • 3 cups corn kernels
  • a bunch of spring onions finely chopped
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Peel the potatoes, cut in half, wash them, and set aside.
  • Prepare the pumpkin leaves by removing the stalk and chopping them.
  • Mix the pumpkin leaves, maize, and potatoes in a sufuria (cooking pot) and add some water. Just enough for everything to cook well.
  • Place the sufuria or cooking pot on a medium heat and boil for 30 minutes.
  • Add a pinch of salt and cook for another 10 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat and mush everything together using a wooden spoon until well blended.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.
  • In another larger pot, heat the oil and sauté the spring onions.
  • When golden brown, turn the heat down to a minimum and add the mashed potato mixture. Mix well.
  • Remove from the heat and serve while hot.
  • Mukimo can be served hot with beef, mbuzi, or matumbo, together with a portion of green veggies, kachumbari, or avocado

Notes

Mukimo (Mokimo)
Mukimo (Mokimo)

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Fante Fante (Ghanaian Fish Stew) https://www.chefspencil.com/fante-fante/ https://www.chefspencil.com/fante-fante/#respond Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:54:47 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=58109 Fante Fante, also known as fisherman’s stew, is a delicious dish from the central region of Ghana. Because of its wonderful taste, this stew has become popular throughout the country. It’s frequently served with banku or kenkey. Enjoy this classic Ghanian fish stew recipe.

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Fante Fante, also known as fisherman’s stew, is a delicious dish from the central region of Ghana. Because of its wonderful taste, this stew has become popular throughout the country.

It’s frequently served with banku or kenkey.

Enjoy this classic Ghanian fish stew recipe.

Ghanaian Fish Stew
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Fante Fante

Course Main Course, stew
Cuisine African, Ghanaian
Keyword Fante Fante, Fisherman’s stew
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • 1 tilapia/ pompano Use any preferred firm white fish of your choice eg Tilapia, Red snapper
  • 500 g fresh tomatoes
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil palm oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic (freshly chopped)
  • 1 tsp ginger (freshly grated)

Instructions

  • Wash and clean the fish thoroughly removing the scales and dirt. Set aside.
  • Wash the fresh tomatoes, pepper, and onions, and blend using a blender till a smooth mixture is obtained.
  • Pour the vegetable oil into a clean saucepan and heat for around 2-3 minutes, then add the diced onions, ginger, and garlic and simmer for 2 minutes before adding the thyme, parsley, and bay leaves. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until it begins to bubble.
  • Now add your mixed veggie combination. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
  • Finally, add the tilapia fish and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring once (to avoid breaking up the fish). Serve your dish with banku, fufu, and/or kenkey.

Notes

Ghanaian Fish Stew

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Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter) https://www.chefspencil.com/nitir-kibbeh-ethiopian-spiced-clarified-butter/ https://www.chefspencil.com/nitir-kibbeh-ethiopian-spiced-clarified-butter/#respond Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:50:34 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=61123 Niter Kibbeh is a key ingredient in many Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes; like berbere spice, it is must-have ingredient for cooking authentic Ethiopian food. It is possible to make niter kibbeh, written nit’ir kibbeh or nit’ir qibe, at home by infusing clarified butter with spices. Ghee is a clarified butter popularly used in Ethiopia for...

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Niter Kibbeh is a key ingredient in many Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes; like berbere spice, it is must-have ingredient for cooking authentic Ethiopian food.

It is possible to make niter kibbeh, written nit’ir kibbeh or nit’ir qibe, at home by infusing clarified butter with spices. Ghee is a clarified butter popularly used in Ethiopia for almost everything and gives stews such as doro wat a richer flavor.

Every cook has a unique niter kibbeh recipe but this recipe is a great place to start because of its moderate flavor. It includes onions, black peppercorns, and kalonji, among other spices, giving it a fantastic, fragrant taste.

Before fridges became a staple household item in Ethiopia, the spices preserved the clarified butter so it lasted months longer than regular butter. 

Enjoy this niter kibbeh recipe!

Nitir Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter)
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Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter)

Melted butter is infused with herbs and spices to create niter kibbeh, a delicious, spicy butter. The ingredients can be changed, adding or omitting some of them to suit your taste.
Course Butter, Pastry
Cuisine African, ethiopian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • 1 pound unsalted butter cubed
  • ¼ cup yellow onion chopped
  • 3 tbsps fresh garlic minced
  • 2 tbsps fresh ginger minced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
  • 3 black cardamom pods not the green cardamom variety
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp kalonji or cumin seeds or nigella seeds
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat.
  • Allow to cook for 45 minutes. Remove from the stove. Sift the butter through a sieve to remove any larger pieces. Strain as many times as necessary until the butter is completely clear and devoid of residue.
  • Allow the butter to cool somewhat before placing in a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator for 2 months, away from heat and sunlight.

Notes

Ethiopian Doro Waty

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Messer Wot | Misir Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentils Stew) https://www.chefspencil.com/messer-wot/ https://www.chefspencil.com/messer-wot/#respond Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:42:44 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=61155 Messer Wot, also spelled Misir Wot, This dish is highly popular in Ethiopia, and nearly everyone has their own recipe, though they are all quite similar. It is traditionally eaten with other Ethiopian delicacies such as gomen, doro wat, and kitfo. It is often served on top of Ethiopian injera, which can be found at...

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Messer Wot, also spelled Misir Wot, This dish is highly popular in Ethiopia, and nearly everyone has their own recipe, though they are all quite similar.

It is traditionally eaten with other Ethiopian delicacies such as gomen, doro wat, and kitfo. It is often served on top of Ethiopian injera, which can be found at halal supermarkets.

Messer wot starts with caramelized onions, cooked in niter kibbeh, Ethiopia’s popular and very fragrant spiced clarified butter. Garlic and tomato paste is added and then there is berbere, Ethiopia’s famed chili spice combination.

It is ordinarily fiery-hot (and what you get in Ethiopia is even hotter than what you’ll get elsewhere), but our recipes tones it down a little.

Enjoy this classic messer wot recipe!

Messer Wot | Misir Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentils Stew)
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Messer Wot | Misir Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentils Stew)

Messer Wot is one of the most popular vegetarian meals in Ethiopian restaurants. Wat, or wot, is an Ethiopian-style stew or curry made with chicken, beef, lamb, lentils, and vegetables.
It's made from clarified butter, nittir kibbeh, and a spice combination called berbere. Messer wot is the star of any vegan platter.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine African, ethiopian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • cups red lentils
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsps berbere mix
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Cook 1 1/2 cups (270 g) of red lentils in 2 cups (470 ml) of water in a pressure cooker for about 30 minutes. When ready, set aside.
  • Then, in a big pan, sauté a large finely chopped onion in a couple of tablespoons olive oil over low heat for 3-5 minutes or until transparent.
  • Sauté the minced garlic cloves, then add 2 tbsp of berbere and a little water to keep it from sticking. Cover the pan and allow to simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the cooked lentils and cook everything on low heat for another 1/2 hour, or until the lentils have totally disintegrated. If you want the dish to be red rather than yellowish, go ahead and add some sweet paprika.
  • This meal is generally eaten with injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread made with teff.

Notes

Messer Wot | Misir Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentils Stew)

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Beef Mishkaki https://www.chefspencil.com/tanzanian-mshikaki/ https://www.chefspencil.com/tanzanian-mshikaki/#respond Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:31:28 +0000 https://www.chefspencil.com/?p=59586 Mishkaki, sometimes spelled Mshikaki is a famous East African street food that consists of marinated meat such as beef, goat, or chicken that is gently cooked on skewers over hot charcoals. It’s a popular food in Tanzania and its beautiful island of Zanzibar, where they are commonly sold in local bars and Indian-style outdoor BBQ restaurants....

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Mishkaki, sometimes spelled Mshikaki is a famous East African street food that consists of marinated meat such as beef, goat, or chicken that is gently cooked on skewers over hot charcoals.

It’s a popular food in Tanzania and its beautiful island of Zanzibar, where they are commonly sold in local bars and Indian-style outdoor BBQ restaurants.

The meat is marinated in a blend of herbs and spices to bring out its natural flavor. If using beef, the meat should be marinated overnight. This allows the steak to tenderize and cook more quickly.

This recipe calls for raw papaya as a tenderizer, but vinegar can be used instead. This is a Swahili recipe with ukwaju sauce (a tamarind-based sauce). The sauce really adds a lot of flavor and spice to the dish. Mishkaki can also be enjoyed with fries or chip mayais.

Enjoy this classic beef mishkaki recipe!

Mshikaki
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Beef Mishkaki

Mishkaki, or beef skewers in Tanzania, are served with vegetables and tamarind sauce.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine African, Kenyan, Tanzanian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Author Aderinsola Adeosun

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp beef seasoning powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp Arabic spice powder
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1.5 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 onion
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • beef
  • 2-3 tomatoes
  • 1 dark mushroom soy sauce

Tamarind Sauce:

  • 1 tamarind
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 medium-sized onion
  • 2 green chili peppers
  • 1 tsp salt (to taste)

Instructions

  • Dice the beef, onions, tomatoes, and green and red pepper.
  • Place them alternately on skewers.
  • Place your skewers on a foil-lined oven pan.
  • Add the salt, beef seasoning, cumin powder, and dark mushroom soy sauce.
  • Place some frying oil on top of the rest of the seasonings.
  • Shake the tray slightly to let the marinade blend and distribute.
  • Set your oven to 80° C/ 175° F and put your tray on the seat to cook gently.

How to make the Tamarind sauce:

  • Soak the tamarind in hot water for 10 mins.
  • Extract the tamarind pulp and strain it.
  • In a blender, blend the tamarind pulp, onion, garlic, green chili, and salt into a fine paste.
  • When the meat is almost cooked, brush it with some sauce and let soak for 2 minutes. The sauce can also be used as a dip.

Notes

Mshikaki
Beef Mishkaki

Featured image courtesy kristiesmunchies2021.

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