African

These smoked awaze lamb ribs combine the rich flavor of slow smoked lamb with the warm heat and aromatic complexity of Ethiopian inspired awaze sauce. The result is tender ribs with a deeply caramelized bark, juicy interior, and layers of spice that linger long after the last bite. For more of a dry rubbed Italian …

Smoky grilled chicken meets a velvety coconut curry in this kuku paka recipe, a beloved Swahili coast classic where African, Indian, and Arab culinary traditions come together in one unforgettable dish. Char-grilling builds deep savory notes before the chicken simmers in a creamy, spice layered sauce with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and Scotch bonnet for bold …

Wake up, wake up, wake up! This is your guy Marwin on the flavor frequency, bringin' the heat with Senegalese vibes from my lab to your stovetop. Today’s track - A slow jam of caramelized onions, mustard, lemon, and a whole lotta love — we talkin’ about Sauce Yassa, baby! You want to add a …

There’s something soulful about a T-bone steak seasoned just right and grilled to perfection. It’s like the slow groove of a timeless song—rich, bold, and memorable. Imagine that thick-cut T-bone, kissed by flames and infused with the deep, nutty heat of suya spice, filling the air with smoky aromas that wrap around you like a …

Homemade suya spice (Yaji) is a bold West African seasoning blend built on roasted peanuts, ground chiles, ginger, garlic, and warm spices that create a smoky, nutty heat with layers of savory depth. Traditionally used for Nigerian street food beef suya skewers, this spice mix delivers a gritty, textured crust that clings beautifully to grilled …

Baked Red Rice with Smoky Sausage, Tender Grains, and Bold Tomato Spice Yo my flavor peeps!—this right here is baked Gullah red rice, a lowcountry soul food anthem, slow-cooked and bold, just like Dead Prez’s song “Hip Hop.” We start with Carolina Gold rice—if you can get your hands on it—folded into a deep, rich …

This okra and shrimp gumbo brings pure Louisiana comfort — smoky, savory, and full of deep coastal flavor, perfect for laid-back Sunday suppers or crowd-pleasing weeknight feasts. For a more seafood forward version go with this dark roux based seafood gumbo. This one right here’s got that Gulf Coast groove running through every spoonful. My …

Are you looking for a new culinary experience that is both exciting and comforting? If so, then you should try black-eyed pea curry recipe! This recipe brings together the spiciness of curry with the richness of beans to create an intriguing new flavor. This isn't your grandmother's black-eyed pea recipe. This is a soul food …

Welcome to my kitchen, where soul food recipes collide with fresh veggies from the garden! This week I'm focusing on one of my favorite vegetables-- okra. It's a Southern soul food staple. Consuming okra in big amounts is a must!!! From adding texture and flavor to dishes like gumbo or steaming them alongside a juicy …

Sweet potatoes are a type of root vegetable that is native to South America. They were first cultivated by the Incas, and later spread to the Caribbean and Africa via the Transatlantic slave trade. Yams, which most people mistake for the more common sweet potatoes, were essential part of African culture and diet. During colonization …

There is nothing like a good classic meatballs and spaghetti sauce recipe, but sometimes a change-up like instant pot meatballs is necessary. These North African inspired meatballs are delicous, moist, and easy to make thanks to the instant pot cooking. These easy instant pot meatballs are well seasoned with a dry seasoning mix and cooked …

Fluffy Nigerian Jollof Rice with Smoky Depth, Fiery Heat, and Rich Tomato Flavor

Experience the tantalizing flavors of seared duck breast infused with West African suya spice—a fusion of savory and aromatic sensations in every bite! Related Pan Seared Posts: I’m proud to collaborate with more than 30 Black recipe developers as we celebrate Black History Month 2022. This Virtual Potluck explores Black food through the lens of …

South African bobotie is one of those dishes that proves sweet, savory, and warmly spiced belong together. Curried ground beef is enriched with mango chutney, apricot jam, and nutmeg before being baked beneath a silky egg custard that sets into a creamy, golden topping. Every bite delivers tender meat, jammy fruit notes, aromatic spices, and …

Bold greens, bright crunch, dressed with respect. This vegan collard green salad has it all - looks, texture, and most importantly flavor. This is the perfect specialty salad for your next celebration or family Sunday dinner. The salad blends different fresh vegetables and fruit, and the vinaigrette helps bring out and balance the multiple flavors …

Homemade harissa sauce is North Africa's bold answer to everyday hot sauce, delivering smoky chile flavor, earthy toasted spices, bright citrus, and silky olive oil in one deeply layered condiment. Toasting whole spices before blending creates remarkable depth, while roasted peppers add body and a velvety texture. Spread it on sandwiches, spoon it over grilled …

I love black-eyed peas and not just on New Year’s. Though it’s probably the #1 soul food side dish for New Year’s dinner, at least in the South for sure, we eat them all the time. WHAT are black-eyed peas? Black-eyed peas are a gift to the world courtesy of Africa. They are actually a …

This homemade grilled piri piri chicken is smoky, spicy, tangy, and just a little sweet with crispy charred skin and juicy meat underneath. Inspired by the Portuguese and Southern African tradition of peri peri chicken, this version layers bold heat from bird's eye chilies with citrus, smoke, and fire kissed flavor from the grill for …

Nigerian suya skewers are street food with swagger - smoky, spicy grilled beef threaded onto skewers and coated in a deeply savory peanut-based suya spice blend. These beef skewers hit with layers of heat, smoke, nuttiness, and charred crust, while staying juicy inside thanks to a quick marinade and hot-fire grilling technique. It’s the kind …

These Instant Pot beef short ribs are fall apart tender ribs braised in a rich West African inspired maafe sauce made with peanut butter, tomatoes, and beef stock. The pressure cooker transforms a traditionally long simmered dish into a deeply flavorful meal in about 90 minutes, delivering silky sauce, succulent beef, and the soulful comfort …

Fonio is a super grain native to Africa. We’ll explain what it is further including where to find it as well as detail ways to use it. What exactly is Fonio? Fonio is an ancient grain indigenous to West Africa particularly in countries like Senegal, Nigeria, and Chad.  It’s somewhat similar in appearance to quinoa, …

Sorry I'm a little late with this post, but it's actually an annual Kwanzaa celebration recipe. After hosting Christmas dinner, mentally I'm content to ride with leftovers for a few days. However, with Kwanzaa, there is no rest for the weary. Therefore I go with simple, low involvement recipes such as this Piri Piri Shrimp. It's usually an appetizer on my menu, but can easily be made for a fancy weeknight main dish.