Recipes | I've Been Cooking

Placali

Placali is a smooth, slightly tangy West African cassava paste, traditionally fermented and served as a starchy base alongside hearty soups and stews. It’s naturally gluten-free and very simple, made from cassava, water, and a touch of salt.

🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire$

Poulet Nyembwe au Gingembre

A fragrant Gabonese chicken stew enriched with palm nut paste and fresh ginger, simmered with tomatoes, aromatics, and Scotch bonnet for a deep, warming flavor.

🇬🇦 Gabon$$

Pimentade de Poisson

A vibrant West/Central African-style spicy tomato-pepper fish stew simmered with aromatics, palm oil, and herbs, served with fluffy rice and sweet fried plantains.

🇬🇫 French Guiana$$

Kansiye

Kansiye is a rich West African beef and peanut stew simmered with tomatoes, aromatics, and warm spices, finished with a bright splash of lemon and fresh parsley. It’s hearty, comforting, and typically served over fluffy rice.

🇬🇳 Guinea$$

Poulet au Gingembre à la Gabonaise

A fragrant Gabonese ginger-chicken braise simmered in palm oil with tomato, chili, and herbs, brightened with lemon and finished with scallions and parsley. Traditionally served with rice and sweet fried plantains.

🇬🇦 Gabon$$

Chinguetti Date Truffles

Chinguetti Date Truffles are no-bake North African sweets made from dates, mixed nuts, and warm spices, delicately scented with orange blossom water. Rolled in cocoa, sesame, or coconut, they’re naturally sweet, aromatic, and perfect with mint tea.

🇲🇷 Mauritania$$

Waterblommetjiebredie

A classic South African lamb and waterblommetjie stew, slow-braised with onions, potatoes, white wine, and herbs until tender and fragrant. Comforting, earthy, and lemon-bright, it’s a hearty main perfect for cool evenings.

🇿🇦 South Africa$$$

Attaya Kanyah

A West African pairing of strong, sweet mint green tea (attaya) served with kanyah, a crumbly peanut-and-gari/rice-flour sweet. A sociable, energizing snack ideal for tea-time gatherings.

🇬🇳 Guinea$

Sishwala

Sishwala is a traditional Eswatini (Swazi) stiff maize porridge made simply from maize meal, water, and a pinch of salt. It’s a hearty staple typically served alongside stews, greens, or grilled meats.

🇸🇿 Swaziland$

Mbattan

Mbattan (Libyan stuffed potatoes) are crisp-fried potato “sandwiches” filled with spiced ground beef, then briefly simmered in a tangy tomato-harissa sauce. Expect a crunchy crust, tender potato, juicy aromatic filling, and warming North African spices with optional chili heat.

🇱🇾 Libya$$

I've been...

Placali

Poulet Nyembwe au Gingembre

Pimentade de Poisson

Kansiye

Poulet au Gingembre à la Gabonaise

Chinguetti Date Truffles

Waterblommetjiebredie

Attaya Kanyah

Sishwala

Mbattan

I've been...

Placali

Poulet Nyembwe au Gingembre

Pimentade de Poisson

Kansiye

Poulet au Gingembre à la Gabonaise

Chinguetti Date Truffles

Waterblommetjiebredie

Attaya Kanyah

Sishwala

Mbattan