Ivy Newton-Gamble's Blog: Everyday African Food, page 11

Lesotho high in the mountains

What holiday's are celebrated in Africa you may ask, well believe it or not the "official" holiday's are not much different than in the US. In Southern African the independent nation of Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho Christmas and Good Friday are celebrated.The Kingdom of Lesotho under King Moshoeshoe II became an independent nation October 4, 1966. Up high in the mountains of Southern Africa Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa. Lesotho is slightly smaller than the...

Ancient Viagra

It is a common belief green figs (unripe) were commonly eaten by male lovers to increase virility. This ancient Viagra is surely a tribute to the fruit's strength-giving passionate qualities. A virile recipe given to me by one of friends is fig tea. To make fig tea, take half a pound of dried figs and wash well. Cut up roughly and put into a large size sauce pan along with 6 cups of water. Simmer for 1 hour until the liquid is reduced to thick tea like consentaneity similar to smoothie...

Ethiopian Starbucks Coffee

Next time you order your favorite coffee blend from starbucks consider the fact you may be drinking Ethiopian coffee. Africa is the second largest of the earth's continents after Asia. Africa comprises almost ¼ of the world's total land mass. One country in Africa in particular is Ethiopia. Ethiopia is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. Ethiopia's Sidamo province is the birth place of coffee. Yes, Ethiopia and not Columbia or Guatemala. Starbucks and Ethiopian coffee, Starbucks...

Dinka, Newir, and Skeluk of Sudan

Sudan is situated in Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea. Sudan is a little more than one-quarter the size of the US making it the largest country in Africa. Presently hundreds of tribes live in Sudan including the Danagla, Gaalien, and Shaigia in the north; Bija in the east; Kababish, Humar, Nuba, Baggara, and Fur in the west; and Dinka, Newir, and Skeluk in the south. Just like most African countries Sudanese backgrounds are very diverse mainly Arab in the...

Bemba (bem-bah) 101

The word Bemba has several meanings. It may designate people of Bemba origin. The Bemba-speaking peoples of Zambia, Bemba is defined a language. The University of Zambia offers an excellent newsletter of University life and scholarship http://www.unza.zm/adm2009/News0109.pdf. Also a popular online Zambia newspaper is Times of Zambia http://www.times.co.zm/.

Bemba (bem-bah) 101
Bemba is spoken in the African counties of Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania with over 3...

African Soups

Mealie means corn, this South African soup is easy and filling. South African food has influences from indigenous Black tribes, Indians, Malaya, and Europeans. South Africa is the southern most point on the African continent. Also like many African countries South Africa has 11 official languages.For people who enjoy cooking there is something satisfying about cooking a new healthy wholesome recipe for our loved ones to enjoy. The wonderful thing about African soups and stews is that you do n...

Easy Curry recipe

Curry from Ghana, recipe will yield about ¼ cup

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon sweet paprika
 

1 teaspoon coriander

2 teaspoons cumin
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons mustard seeds

Directions: Mix all ingredients well and store in airtight container away from light and heat.

African Dessert Mango Fool

Not much is known about Africa and indigenous sweet treats. You will find that "sweet is sweet" no matter what continent you happen to live on. The thought of Africa's sweet culinary inclinations may raise your eyebrows at first but as you read and prepare the recipes, the tastes are familiar and delicious. The initial unfamiliarity with Africa's sweet delicacies will become familiar. My goal is to introduce simple and satisfying African sweets into kitchens across the world and introduce...

African and American kitchens are not so different

African & American kitchens are not so different
Whether in North, Southern, East, West or Central Africa meat is a luxury. Meat is usually reserved for special occasions such as festivals, weddings etc…Most everyday African meals consist of vegetables either from home gardens or from public markets.
The emphasis is on starches and one main starchy side dish is fufu (fofo). What is fufu you may ask? Well, fufu is to West Africa as mashed potatoes are to North America. Both fufu and mashed...

Port Shepstone

Port Shepstone lies along KwaZulu-Natal's Hibiscus Coast – known for its many hibiscus flowers – which stretches from Scottburgh to Port Edward. Situated at the mouth of the Mzimkhulu River (a Zulu name meaning 'place of the great kraal'), it was the discovery of marble deposits on the bank of the river in 1867 that first attracted settlers to the area. The town was established four years later and named after Sir Theophilus Shepstone, Administrator of Native Affairs in the Natal government. ...