The order of mixing is important in its effect in batters and dough’s

Methods of mixing are important, where several ingredients are combined. Examples of the type of mixing are: · Sifting, or putting materials through a fine mesh, is used to lighten flour that has been packed down, to remove coarse portions, or to mix thoroughly several dry ingredients.· Stirring is done with a spoon, and is a round and round motion, used for mixing a liquid and a dry ingredient.·  Rubbing is used for combining a dry ingredient with a semi-solid substance like butter. Creaming is a term used for the rubbing...

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What is a recipe?

A recipe is a bit of experience handed down for us to make useful. Someone experimented at some time long ago, perhaps failed at first, tried again, finally succeeded, and passed on the result by word of mouth to others. There were doubtless good cooks long before there were printed or written recipes. Some recipes, however, have been handed down word of mouth from Africa to America, and recipes were printed as early as the sixteenth century. Modern recipes are much more accurate than the old, as you may see if you have opportunity to read some...

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A Personal Thank You from The African Gourmet

The main objective of our blog Everyday African Food is to promote a cross-cultural understanding of Africa through its food and art. Thank you for your support over the last four yea...

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Eating with your hands

Well technically eating with your hands means eating with small pieces of bread. Eating food with your hands in today’s society is observed as being unsanitary, unclean, bad mannered and even gross. Eating with your hand instead of using a fork and spoon is a skill that can be gratifying when done in the approved manner. Etiquette should be observed when dining in any culture that eating with your hand is a tradition. The hands must be thoroughly...

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Of the Pretty Stranger who Killed the King

Mbotu was a very famous king of Old Town, Calabar. He was frequently at war, and was always successful, as he was a most skillful leader. All the prisoners he took were made slaves. He therefore became very rich, but, on the other hand, he had many enemies. The people of Itu in particular were very angry with him and wanted to kill him, but they were not strong enough to beat Mbotu in a battle, so they had to resort to sneakiness. The Itu people had an old woman who was a witch and could turn herself into whatever she pleased, and when...

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Peanut Soup

Peanut Soup Ingredients:1 teaspoon olive oil1 medium onions, chopped1/2 large red bell peppers, chopped1 clove garlic, minced1 ripe medium size tomato, chopped2 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon pepper2-3 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter1/4 cup uncooked rice Directions:1. Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat. Cook onions and bell peppers until tender, add garlic. Stir in tomato, vegetable broth, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Stir in rice, cover and simmer 10 minutes then add  peanut...

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Vegetable Relish

2 tablespoons grated horseradishAdd all ingredients except vinegar into a large bowl and mix well. Place in hot sterilized jars and se...

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