Recipes | I've Been Cooking

Kankankan Brochettes

Kankankan Brochettes are West African-style grilled beef skewers rubbed with a spicy peanut and chili blend, threaded with red onion and bell pepper, and brightened with lime. Smoky, nutty, and fiery, they’re perfect for the grill.

🇬🇳 Guinea$$

Ara Shakam Paa

Ara Shakam Paa is a Bhutanese spicy dried-beef and radish stew, flamed or deglazed with ara (rice spirit) and simmered with chilies, onion, garlic, and ginger. Rich, smoky, and warming, it’s traditionally served over steamed rice.

🇧🇹 Bhutan$$

Tiyula Itum

Tiyula Itum is a rich, peppery Tausug black beef soup from Mindanao, deeply savory and aromatic from burnt coconut, lemongrass, and warm spices, finished bright with calamansi. It’s hearty, gently spicy, and comforting with tender beef shank in inky broth.

🇵🇭 Philippines$$

Kossam Afra

Kossam Afra is a fiery Ethiopian/Eritrean-style skillet of lamb offal (liver, heart, kidney) seared in niter kibbeh with berbere, aromatics, and chiles, then brightened with lemon and cilantro. Served hot with flatbread for scooping.

🇬🇲 Gambia$$

Pikliz

Pikliz is a bright, fiery Haitian pickled slaw of cabbage, carrots, and Scotch bonnet peppers in a tangy vinegar-lime brine—crisp, zesty, and perfect as a condiment or side.

🇭🇹 Haiti$

Fouta Djallon Jerky

A West African–style beef jerky from the Fouta Djallon region: thin-sliced beef marinated with grains of selim, ginger, garlic, lime, vinegar, and warm spices, with a subtle peanut note. Smoky, spicy, tangy, and deeply savory.

🇬🇳 Guinea$$$

Agashe

Agashe is a Sudanese/Chadian-style grilled meat skewer coated in a spiced peanut rub, then flame-grilled and served with bread, lemon, and onions. It’s smoky, spicy, and nutty with a bright citrus finish.

🇸🇩 Sudan$$

Adrar Mechoui

Adrar Mechoui is a North African-style slow-roasted lamb scented with cumin, coriander, paprika, garlic, and bay leaves, finished with lemon and olive oil. It’s served with harissa, mint, and warm flatbread for tearing and dipping.

🇲🇷 Mauritania$$$

Caicos Conch Salad

A bright, zesty Caicos conch salad tossed in lime and orange juices with crisp veggies, cilantro, and a kiss of Scotch bonnet heat—refreshing, lean, and protein-rich.

🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands$$$

Shkembe Chorba

Shkembe Chorba is a classic Bulgarian tripe soup enriched with milk and a paprika-garlic roux, finished at the table with vinegar and chili for a warming, restorative kick.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria$

I've been...

Kankankan Brochettes

Ara Shakam Paa

Tiyula Itum

Kossam Afra

Pikliz

Fouta Djallon Jerky

Agashe

Adrar Mechoui

Caicos Conch Salad

Shkembe Chorba

I've been...

Kankankan Brochettes

Ara Shakam Paa

Tiyula Itum

Kossam Afra

Pikliz

Fouta Djallon Jerky

Agashe

Adrar Mechoui

Caicos Conch Salad

Shkembe Chorba