Ivy Newton-Gamble's Blog: Everyday African Food, page 5

Egypt

Koushary

How to make Sadza

Kenya's staple food, ugali

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

The Red Pepper variation of hummus is delicious on your favorite sandwich. You can also serve it in the traditional way as an appetizer, dip and as a side dish to grilled chicken and fish.

Ingredients:

1 can of chickpeas (reserve liquid)

1 small jar roasted red peppers

1 tablespoon of tahini (sesame paste)

1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

In a food processor, blend all ingredients until a creamy paste-like consistency forms.

 

Chad history, language and culture

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Quoted from http://www.worldtravelguide.net/chad/...

Chad history, language and culture

Chad history, language and culture

Indications of settlements around the shores of Lake Chad date back to Neolithic times; the shores were an important junction for several major trans-Saharan caravan routes for centuries.

From the 11th to the 15th century, the state of Kanem was the dominant force in the region, occupying much of the area that makes up present-day Chad. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the state of Borno, which had its centre on the other side of Lake Chad (in present-day Nigeria), exercised a major influence.

A gradual process of Islamisation took place in the region from this time, especially during the 16th and 17th centuries during the kingdoms of the Bagirmi and Ouaddai. The slave trade was a key component of their economies, and as this declined from the early 19th century onwards, so did the kingdoms.

In the 1880s, they were conquered by the Sudanese warlord Rabih al-Zubair. The Europeans arrived a few decades later, in the latter stages of their carve-up of the African continent.

Chad was first defined as a national territory in 1910, as one of the four making up French Equatorial Africa.

Chad then achieved independence in 1960, with François Tombalbaye, leader of the Parti Progressiste Tchadien (PPT), as Prime Minister. Its history since then has been characterised by political instability and tensions, largely due to religious and cultural divisions between the Muslim north and Christian/animist south – a pattern that may be found in many other African countries, including Nigeria and Sudan.

The discovery of large oil deposits in the southern Doba region of the country has provided the Government with an opportunity to develop the economy. It has also heightened interest in Chad – a relative international backwater – from outside, and has led to some improvement to previously rocky relations with France, the USA, and international institutions such as the World Bank.

Chad culture

Religion:

50% Muslim, 35% Christian, 15% animist and other.

Social conventions:

Chadians are a relaxed and friendly people, but respect for traditional beliefs and customs is expected. Dress is informal, but conservative in respect of Muslim laws. There is strict segregation of women in the Muslim areas. It is customary to shake hands. The left hand should never be used for offering or accepting food, nor should the sole of the foot be exposed in the presence of a Muslim. Identification should be carried at all times; failure to do so may result in detention by police.

Photography: It is necessary to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Information in order to take photographs. Photographing military sites, airports and official buildings is prohibited. Other photography requires a Government permit.

Language in Chad

The official languages are French and Arabic. Other widely spoken African languages include Sara (in the south). The territory's boundaries enclose a small but highly diverse population.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Hummus is an appetizer and dip and is usually scooped with flatbread or pita chips. It is also served as a side dish to grilled chicken and fish.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans

2 tablespoons minced roasted garlic

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon good quality olive oil

Directions:

In a food processor, process beans, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice until a consistency of soft paste forms. If hummus is too thick add olive oil in small increments until you reach the desired consistency.

Super Spicy South African Sambal

Sambal is a chili based dish more often than not used as a condiment. It is classically prepared from an assortment of chili peppers and can be very spicy or mild according to your love of spicy foods and also according to your taste buds. .

 South African Sambal

Ingredients

2 cups grated carrots

2 cups grated granny smith apples

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced ginger

1 tablespoon white sugar

1/4 rice wine vinegar

2 chopped fresh habanero peppers (any hot pepper will due)

Directions

Mix all ingredients well then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Taking things for granted

Ewe Proverb

Akpa le tome gake menya tsi fe vevie nyenyeo. (Ewe)

A fish is in water but does not know the importance of water. (English translation)

What does it mean?

The meaning of this proverb is that a fish is always in the water, but until it comes out of the water it doesn't even recognize that the water exists.  This proverb is about "taking things for granted" and similar to the saying that familiarity brings discontent.

NOTE: This proverb is No. 25 in a forthcoming booklet Collection of 100 Ewe Proverbs from the website www.afriproverb.org

Octopus Stew

Cape Verde pronounced [ˈkabu ˈveɾdɨ] located in Western Africa is a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean west of Senegal. Cape Verde is slightly larger than Rhode Island. The once uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

An easy Cape Verdean Meal:

Octopus Stew

Yields 4-6 servings

2 lbs. fresh or thawed octopus

2 whole bay leaves

1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

2 cups of water or seafood stock

l tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon minced garlic

l medium onion

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Cut octopus into small pieces and place in a pot with bay leaves and oil. Saute on medium heat 4-5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stew on medium low stir occasionally for 20 minutes.