Sick and Tired of Burgers and Pizzas?
Missing Good Old Home Cooking
For those living outside of Africa, it can be challenging to connect or and stay connected with the continent's culture and food.
Our love, culture, heritage, and traditions as a people are passed on mostly through language, food, and music. No matter where in the world opportunity takes us, these things take us back to a time and place that knows us before we introduce ourselves.
For anyone that wants to double down on connecting to the rich flavors of home and keeping their roots alive, here are several ways to do so:
Seek out African restaurants and markets in your area - Many cities in North America and Europe have African restaurants and markets where you can try traditional dishes and purchase ingredients for cooking at home. Try to recreate your favorite dishes using ingredients that are available to you. Some shops may offer the option of ordering ingredients online.
Attend cultural events - Festivals, concerts, and other events celebrating African culture can be a great way to learn more about the continent's food and traditions.
Join a cooking class or group - Many communities offer cooking classes or groups focused on African cuisine, providing an opportunity to learn new recipes and connect with others who share your interest.
Learn how to cook traditional dishes from family: Make it a fun gathering be it through hosting dinners or potlucks with other immigrants to share and enjoy traditional dishes together. Experiment by incorporating traditional ingredients or spices into new dishes to create a fusion of cultures.
Explore online resources: There are many blogs, websites, and social media accounts dedicated to African cuisine and culture, providing a wealth of information and inspiration for cooking and learning.
Stock up on cookbooks that represent the best of what the continent has to offer. In no particular order, these five books cover most regions on the continent and tell captivating stories of the what, why, and how:
#1 Representing West Africa: Yolele! Recipes From the Heart of Senegal by Pierre Thiam.
#2 Showing off some of what Southern Africa has to offer: Cooking with Zanele by Zanele Van Zyl.
#3 Capturing the culinary beauty of an East Africa: In Bibi's Kitchen by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen.
#4 Filling recipes that celebrate the diversity of North Africa: Eat, Habibi, Eat! by Sahir Massoud.
#5 A comprehensive collection of fascinating dishes from across the continent: Africana by Lerato Umah-Shaylor.
#6 Zoe's Ghana Kitchen by Zoe Adjonyoh - This cookbook features recipes from Ghana, including traditional dishes such as banku and peanut soup, as well as contemporary takes on classics like jollof rice.
#7 The Soul of a New Cuisine by Marcus Samuelsson - This cookbook by Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuelsson explores the flavors of Africa and its diaspora, featuring recipes from countries such as Senegal, South Africa, and Jamaica.
#8 Sweet Hands: Island Cooking from Trinidad and Tobago" by Ramin Ganeshram - Although it is not strictly a pan-African cookbook, this collection of recipes from Trinidad and Tobago showcases the fusion of African, Indian, and Caribbean flavors that make up the island's cuisine.
No one cookbook can capture the nuances in each region, but these books are acclaimed and accessible to audiences across the world. By exploring African cuisine and connecting with the continent's culture, whether through cookbooks, restaurants, or cultural events, diasporans in North America and Europe can deepen their understanding and appreciation of this rich and diverse part of the world.
You can customize some recipes to reflect your life journey, substitute some ingredients to reflect where your family is right now, and add on stories to the next generation that will instill a love and appreciation of people and their food 🙌
We hope the same for you and yours.
“Cooking is at once child’s play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”
