African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Eat Green | Garlic Anchovy Butter Recipe

Garlic Anchovy Butter Recipe

Eat Green, Southern African Green Listed Sustainable Seafood Recipe. Years of commercial fishing harvesting seafood from the wild at rates faster than natural populations can recover in Southern African waters place many seafood species at risk.



Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative color code means eat green, orange, stop and think and red no way.

SASSI, eat green
SASSI’s classification of fish labeled with a green, orange, or red: 

Eat green!
Green listed fish is the group from which people are encouraged to choose from as it contains the best managed most sustainable choices available to consumers. 

 Orange, stop and think.
Orange listed fish consumers are encouraged to consider the implications of these choices as increased demand for these could compromise a sustainable supply. 

 No way!
Red are species of fish you should never buy since this group includes unsustainable species as well as those that are illegal to sell in South Africa.

Garlic anchovy butter with pasta and grilled vegetables recipe
Garlic anchovy butter with pasta and grilled vegetables

Eat Green! Southern African Green Listed Sustainable Seafood Recipe


Eat Green Garlic Anchovy Butter Recipe



Ingredients

6 canned anchovies minced and mashed to a paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 stick room temperature unsalted butter


Directions

Over medium heat, add olive oil, anchovies, and garlic. Remove from heat and cool 30 minutes. Whip butter until fluffy, add to anchovy mixture and mix well. Serve on pasta, vegetables, rolls and in just about any recipe you can imagine.

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Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition

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Dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia: the newly chosen Fine Boy is temporarily celebrated with fanfare and pleasure. Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition Fascinating stories emerged during the Pepper Coast's glory days. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders established outposts along the Liberian coastline, drawn by its wealth of humans, spices, and other commodities.  Centuries later, in the 19th century, the American Colonization Society (ACS) founded settlements in Liberia and began journalling native stories.  Among these tales is a dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia, a story so intriguing it almost seems too good to be true because, in some ways, it is.   The Kru women periodically held elections to select a young, handsome man as their “Fine Boy.” The announcement of his selection was celebrated with a vibrant procession featuring music, singing, and dancing.  The newly chosen Fine Boy was placed at the front of the para...
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A Kingdom Torn Apart: The Forces Behind Kongo’s Collapse. Why study and honor defunct ancient African kingdoms? These kingdoms no longer exist, they were failures; hpwever, they were once thriving societies with remarkable achievements. Before the arrival of Portuguese explorers, the Kingdom of Kongo flourished as a prosperous and powerful African state.  It boasted a sophisticated social structure, strong economic systems, and rich spiritual traditions. The King of Kongo was regarded as a sacred intermediary between the gods and his people, embodying the kingdom's deep reverence for spirituality and governance.  This existence, however, became a battleground as the Portuguese wielded their “divide and conquer” strategy with precision, exploiting internal rivalries and introducing advanced weaponry that disrupted the balance of power, deposing the king. Economic pressures intensified as the Portuguese fueled the transatlantic slave trade, transforming allies into rivals and co...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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