By African Plate Spring has just begun and we are approaching an incredibly special, fun and flavourful time of year. This week’s blog is all about Easter, the memories that can be made and all the tasty FOOD that we should not miss out on. What is Easter Actually about? So now let us look […]
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Cooking and its impact on Mental Well-being:
Mental health and mental health concerns are part of a crisis that is sweeping the world by storm. Especially with the rise of international lockdowns and self-isolation that left many feeling alone. It is something that is becoming ever more common amongst society and something that is being spoken about and recognised by everyone both […]
Give it up for the Women!
This is International Women’s Day!! What is international women’s day? You may be asking, ‘What is International Women’s Day all about?’ and why we at African Plate support it. Well, this blog is going to answer all your queries. International Women’s Day is an international global holiday that celebrates and commemorates the cultural, political and […]
Chilli O’Clock
All the things you need to know about chillies…. This blog is about a food staple that we all have in our pantries and kitchens. This article is dedicated to delicious, wonderful, flavoursome and fiery ‘Chillies.’ Chilli Peppers are so versatile, and they can be seen across a range of diverse cultures and cuisines from […]
Foods That Make their Way to the Heart!
Foods That Make their Way to the Heart! What is Valentine’s Day? There is a common saying that “Food is the way to the heart”, and with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the need for quality ingredients and romantic food is on the rise. In this blog we will be sharing all of the foods that […]
At last, the secret to our Coconut Poundo is finally revealed!
Every culture and its people will have a carbohydrate staple that is immensely popular and common to eat as a side dish or even a main meal. Many of these are shared across nations, so you must be familiar with some of them. Foods like rice, pasta, oats, grains, lentils, potatoes and yams are all […]
The Ins and Outs of a Plant-Based Diet
Introduction to a plant-based diet: We are still in the beginning stages of the year, in the month of January, and with this comes a lot of people making changes to their lives, routines and habits in order to improve for the better. A good example of this is the Veganuary movement which we have […]
Happy Veganuary….
What is Veganuary: January is all about challenging yourself, trying new things and making positive changes in your own life. This is typically the time where people set out their goals and ‘New Year’s resolutions’ and begin putting them into practice. The ‘Veganuary’ movement is taking the world by storm. ‘Veganuary’ is an annual challenge […]
Never lose your new year’s resolution again:
By Nayana Mena The start of the New year is fast approaching and with that comes a lot of change. Around this time of year people will come together to celebrate and make the most of being in each other’s company. People will also take the time to self-reflect and think about all the good […]
All the food you will be wanting this Christmas
By Nayana Mena Christmas and the festive period is a magical time for families young and old across the world. Regardless of race or background it is a time where people come together to reflect on the year just gone, share each other’s gratitude, enjoy each other’s company, spread joy and eat real good food!! Here at African Plate […]
All About Tilapia:
By Nayana Mena Introduction: What is Tilapia? Tilapia is the name given to a multitude of fish that derive from the species of ‘Cichlid’ fish. They are typically found in freshwater environments which include streams, ponds, rivers and lakes and are known to be plant – eating, which make them even more fresh and delicious […]
Fall In Love with Puff-Puff.
By Nayana Mena (African Plate) What Is A “puff-puff”? Puff-Puff, also known as Mikate, Kala, Togbei, Dumplin or Beignet is a popular West African delicacy that is essentially a sweet, fluffy ‘Doughnut’. It is a deep fried dough that is uncomplicated to make and is deliciously addicting, so you’ll definitely want to give it a […]
Plantains (Part 2)
Here is Part 2 of our ‘plantain information series’! To boil unpeeled green plantain, cut the plantain into equal lengths of about ten cm. Wash and place them in a pot with enough cold water to cover. Cook until soft. Remove the skin and arrange on a serving dish. Sprinkle with African Plate Cameroon Pepper […]
Plantains
Plantain (musa sapientum) is commonly known as the cooking banana. Both plantains and bananas are important sources of carbohydrate. In West Africa, bananas are usually eaten ripe as a fruit. Cooked green plantain is one of the main staple foods in the Delta region of Nigeria. Cooked ripe plantain (dodo) is enjoyed throughout Nigeria. Ripe […]
Maize
Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in the southern parts of Nigeria, but it is popular throughout the country. It is eaten fresh, roasted or boiled, and the dried kernels are ground or fermented for various foods. While maize proteins are of a relatively poor quality, improved varieties are being introduced. Maize is […]
Beans (Cowpea) Paste – Part 2
We gave you an introduction last week into the production of cowpea (black eyed beans) paste, which is the foundation of so many West African dishes. In Part II of our blog, we are going to continue the education. Once cleaned and hulled, the cowpeas should be ground in a blender that is capable of […]
Beans (Cowpea) Paste
Beans are a staple in most African households, and increasingly even in the Western house with the recent embracing of vegan lifestyles. Being innovative people, Africans have established a plethora of flavoursome dishes which have cowpeas as their base. Popular examples are moin moin and akara. These dishes start off as cowpea paste and then […]
Beans and Plantain Pottage Recipe
Many legumes are used in cooking throughout Africa. While the pods of most of them can be eaten when fresh and young as a green vegetable, the vast majority of ‘beans and peas’ are dried. The most widespread and readily available bean is the cowpea (otherwise known as black eyed peas), of which there are […]
Cassava (garri)
Cassava (Manihot utilissima) is commonly known as manioc, tapioca or arrowroot. In Yoruba it is called Ege, in Ibo it is Akpu and in Hausa it is Rogo. Cassava is believed to have been introduced into West Africa from Brazil by Portuguese explorers. It is now one of the most widely cultivated staple foods. It […]
Locust Beans (Iru)
Locust Beans are called iru in Yoruba, Eginili Igala in Ibo, Ete Edi Uku in Efik and Kalwa in Hausa. The fruit of the African locust bean tree has a pulp in which is embedded many small seeds. The pulp is dried in some areas for addition to soups, rice and cereals. A drink called […]
Coconut Poundo
The coconut (cocos nucifera) is the seed of the coconut palm. Coconut is fairly rich in protein and oil. Coconut meat is used as a snack or in combination with other foods as a light meal. For example, in West African, fresh coconut is served with soaked garri or roasted fresh corn. The coconut milk […]
Red Peppers
When you think of red peppers, which comes to mind? There are in fact so many variants of red peppers (capsicum). The species range in terms of taste from sweet, to bitter, to heat! They come in both fresh and dried form. The dried peppers (such as Cameroon Pepper) are sold whole or ground and […]
Banga Soup Recipe
The fruits of the oil palm are used in food, mainly as a source of refined oil. The husked fruits are also used fresh by extracting and sieving the unrefined oil containing pulp to prepare banga soups. The palm kernel within there remaining hard, thick shelled nut is also frequently eaten as a snack. The […]
Common African Herbs used in Cooking
Africa has an abundance of herbs that are widely used in cooking. Here is some background to a few of them and their common uses. AFRICAN LEMON GRASS: This easily cultivated herb is known as koko oba in Yoruba, achara ehi in Ibo, ikonti in Efik and myoyaka in Ibibio. It is commonly used for […]
Meat Pepper Soup Recipe
We promised you the recipe and here it is! The alternative African flu jab! Pepper soup – the tasty, mouth-watering nasal cleanser. When all you need is a simple meal with delicate proteins and packed with important vitamins – this is not a hard choice. ENJOY! Our authentic Pepper Soup Spice contains ginger (zingiber officinale). […]
Curried Chicken Recipe
Hello yummy chicken! This week’s recipe is for a delicious curried chicken. Our all in one hit wonder Ami Ami Spice is key in the seasoning and making of this wonderfully tasty chicken curry. Let’s talk a little more about our famous Ami Ami Spice, which is really our signature spice mix. Ami Ami is a […]
Chicken Stew Recipe
This easy peasy chicken stew recipe is quick and tasty! Traditional stew made using poultry is just as delicious as the red meat version. We used boiler chicken for preparing our own, but you could also choose to use the more widely available ‘soft’ chicken that you can buy from all supermarkets and butchers. If […]
Pepper Soup Spice
Nigeria is such a melting pot! With over 500 different languages being spoken and approximately 250 tribes, it shouldn’t be a surprise to discover that it’s food is as diverse as its people. One dish that cuts across the various ethnic groups is pepper soup. This rich and tasty dish also has some medicinal benefits […]
Suya Recipe
Our mouths are watering at the thought of tucking into this Nigerian street food favourite to be enjoyed while bonding with family and friends. Suya also makes for an amazing canape to be served at parties, receptions and weddings. A sick friend/relative would equally thank you if you went to visit them with a plateful […]
Fried Rice Recipe
Some combinations are just classic for a very good reason. We can often be found feasting on chicken, fried rice and dodo for Sunday lunch. Jollof rice might get all the deserved glory, but junior cousin Nigerian Fried Rice is also a winner in the tastes delicious race. Do you agree? To Jollof or […]
Coconut Rice Recipe
Nigerian food, as traditionally served in restaurants and social gatherings tends to be limited to fried rice and the superior jollof rice. While we love and appreciate our better known rice dishes, they sometimes become tiresome by virtue of their repeated appearances. Us human beings tend to shop for and cook a limited number of […]
Egusi Soup Recipe
Egusi seeds, a staple of West African cuisine, are a veritable superfood packed with nutritional benefits including being rich in protein, healthy fats and anti-inflammatory properties. Egusi (called Ogili in Ibo and Agusi in Hausa) are melon seeds. The fruit of this plant can be eaten raw like cucumber or cooked in soups like marrow. […]
Moin Moin Recipe
Today’s easy recipe is for mouth-watering Moin Moin. Made with cow peas/black eye peas blended and steamed, traditionally in banana leaves. We love making this protein packed dish as a satisfying and filling meal. Order your authentic ingredients to make Moin Moin here ▶️https://africanplate.co.uk/product/cameroon-pepper/https://africanplate.co.uk/products/crayfish/ Ingredients 225g Cowpeas (black eyed beans) 28ml Palm Oil (warmed) 1 […]
Dried Periwinkles – Yam Pottage Recipe
🌟NEW PRODUCT ALERT 🌟We are extremely excited to announce that yet another new product has been added to our line up – dried periwinkles. After extensive searching to find the best quality, we have ethically sourced directly from Rivers State, Nigeria.It would normally be really difficult to access periwinkles as they are highly perishable. With […]
Student Care Package
For those of you heading to University this Autumn, we are fully aware that this year is totally different, so we are wishing you all the very best for the year ahead. After having been in lockdown for the best part of five months, we know that you have all probably enjoyed your family’s solid […]
Ogbono Soup Recipe
Many seeds are used in Nigerian cooking. They are generally used ground and provide special flavours and thickening. Ogbono (irringia gabonsis) is also commonly known as wild mango. The fruits of the bush mango tree are opened and the seeds are split to remove and dry the inner nuts which are then ground before being […]
Akara Recipe
Below you will find an easy recipe for akara AKA Nigerian black bean fritters. Quick, easy and tasty! This plant-based dish is eaten all over West Africa as well as in the Bahia region of Brazil – considered the Yoruba capital of the Americas – the same dish is made and called Acaraje. Ghanians call […]
Efo Riro Soup Recipe
We know you love your West African delicacies and so today we are sharing our scrumptious Efo Riro soup recipe. This good looking, mouth-watering, tasty, vegetable packed soup is delicious and nutritious (think bell peppers packed with Vitamins A and C, palm oil with its Vitamin E and locust beans stuffed with lipids) and goes […]
Crayfish
Africa is such a wonderful place with so many intense and rich flavours. It is not uncommon to find unique flavours emerge from each region to ultimately add something a bit different to the cooking pot that is Africa as a whole. West Africans have an incredibly special type of ingredient for some of the […]
World Jollof Rice Day 2020!
Hands up if you’re excited about #WorldJollofRiceDay coming up this Saturday 🙋♀️ (So by day we mean week, year and life 😂) To get you ready we’re sharing our easy #jollofrice recipe on Instagram so that you can cook up West Africa’s most popular dish. The debate might rage on about who makes the best. Try our Jollof Spice […]
AGOYIN
Our special agoyin spice blend for making one of West Africa’s most nutritious and delicious street foods. Originating in Benin and Togo and now a much loved favourite in Nigeria, where you’ll often hear the famous shout of ‘Agoyin La!: Our mix will help you recreate this beloved bean dish. Order your authentic agoyin blend […]
SUYA
Our premium dry suya spice rub can be used on beef, lamb, goat, fish, as well as mushrooms and other vegetables as it is made with vegan-friendly ingredients.Give it a try and tantalise your tastebuds 😋Order here ⬇️https://africanplate.co.uk/product/suya-spice/
BARBEQUE!
We may be in the middle of a pandemic, but the summer of 2020 has been kind to us in terms of weather! Our hand blended Barbeque Mix bursting with fresh spices makes it easy for you to quickly throw together a truly sizzling meal. Grab a packet here: https://africanplate.co.uk/product/barbeque-mix/