African dishes are one of one the most colorful and flavorful in the world. They are made of a set of traditional techniques, some of which are followed even today. Also, the dishes exist in various ethnic varieties giving them a unique and diverse culinary culture. Whether you are planning to travel to Africa or simply want to try out their classy dishes with your family, you can always try out the following dishes:
Matoke
Matoke is one of the most common traditional foods you’ll find among many African communities, especially eastern African countries. It’s a type of plantain that is harvested while green, peeled, and cooked. Once cooked, matoke is smashed into a meal and served with either meat and beans. Often, matoke can be prepared using bell peppers, lemon juice, garlic, onion, and tomato to enhance the taste.
Boerewors/Mutura
Everybody loves sausage. It’s not only preferred for breakfast but lunch and dinner too. But when you come to Africa, there is a special type of sausage you shouldn’t miss trying out with your family. It’s the boerewors, or mutura in some countries. Basically, the African sausage is made of fire-grilled goat, lamb, or cow intestines. Before grilling, the intestines are washed clean then stuffed with fresh animal blood and other spices such as pepper, garlic, ginger, etc.
Jollof Rice
If you are interested in tasting some western African cuisines, then jollof rice should be on your menu list. It’s made of rice fried with tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, and scotch bonnets, among other spices found in the grocery stores. This particular food can be served alongside meat and is often prepared during wedding parties and celebrations.
Githeri
Supposing you are looking for an easy-to-prepare African meal, then you have to settle on githeri. Its basic ingredients are corn and beans, which never lacks in any African store. The corn is boiled together with beans until they become softly cooked. However, you can always spice it up with a variety of spices such as coconut milk, pepper, curry powder, onion, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and salt.
Tijane
Tijane is one of the most preferred foods among northern African countries, including Morocco, Libya, Egypt, and Algeria. Tijane is a slowly cooked stew that can either be chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. The stewed meat is cooked using a variety of spices to bring a flavorful taste. The food is prepared in a pot with a conical top so that the meat juices and water isn’t lost during cooking.
Conclusion
If you plan to try out some African dishes with your family, the above-mentioned foods will serve you best. While there are several other good African dishes, the list provided above will keep you wanting more.