Introduction: Wagasi is a firm, milky cheese made by Fulani herders in northern Benin using leaves of the West African calotropis plant as a natural coagulant. Cultural Background: Wagasi is a firm, milky cheese made by Fulani herders in northern Benin using leaves of the West African calotropis plant as a natural coagulant. Pan-fried until […]
Introduction: Amiwo is one of Benin's most iconic dishes: a bright orange-red cornmeal dough, coloured and flavoured by tomato paste kneaded directly into the paste itself, traditionally served with grilled fish. Cultural Background: Amiwo is one of Benin's most iconic dishes: a bright orange-red cornmeal dough, coloured and flavoured by tomato paste kneaded directly into […]
Introduction: This refreshing salad pairs creamy avocado with toasted gari (granulated cassava), a combination found at roadside lunch spots across southern Benin where it is served as a light, textured side to grilled meats and fish. Cultural Background: This refreshing salad pairs creamy avocado with toasted gari (granulated cassava), a combination found at roadside lunch […]
Introduction: A simple, punchy tomato salad served as a cooling counterpoint to spicy mains, this dish appears at nearly every family table in Benin, dressed simply with onion, oil and a touch of chilli. Cultural Background: A simple, punchy tomato salad served as a cooling counterpoint to spicy mains, this dish appears at nearly every […]
Introduction: A whole chicken marinated in a fragrant spice paste and roasted until deeply golden, poulet rôti is the centrepiece of Beninese celebrations, from Christmas tables to wedding feasts, often prepared a day ahead so the marinade has time to work through the meat. Cultural Background: A whole chicken marinated in a fragrant spice paste […]
Introduction: Kpétè is a hearty, deeply savoury soup found in homes throughout central Benin, built on a base of slow-simmered meat, leafy greens and ground seeds. Cultural Background: Kpétè is a hearty, deeply savoury soup found in homes throughout central Benin, built on a base of slow-simmered meat, leafy greens and ground seeds. It is […]
Introduction: A rich, velvety peanut stew simmered slowly with chicken, poulet sauce arachide reflects Benin's deep culinary ties to groundnut farming in its northern regions. Cultural Background: A rich, velvety peanut stew simmered slowly with chicken, poulet sauce arachide reflects Benin's deep culinary ties to groundnut farming in its northern regions. The dish is prized […]
Introduction: Chimole, sometimes called black dinner, is a smoky, dark soup built on charred, blackened recado negro seasoning made from scorched chilies and spices. Cultural Background: Chimole, sometimes called black dinner, is a smoky, dark soup built on charred, blackened recado negro seasoning made from scorched chilies and spices. Traditionally simmered with chicken or turkey, […]
Introduction: Salbutes are puffed, deep-fried corn tortillas piled high with shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato and pickled onion, a favourite grab-and-go lunch sold from carts and market stalls across Belize. Cultural Background: Salbutes are puffed, deep-fried corn tortillas piled high with shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato and pickled onion, a favourite grab-and-go lunch sold from carts and […]
Introduction: Sere is a fragrant coconut milk fish stew from Belize’s Garifuna and Creole coastal communities, gently spiced and often built around whatever fresh catch the day brings. Cultural Background: Sere is a fragrant coconut milk fish stew from Belize’s Garifuna and Creole coastal communities, gently spiced and often built around whatever fresh catch the […]