You couldn't go greener than West Africa. West Africa's most precious assets are its natural resources, most of which are bio degradable. Agriculture is the order of the day. West Africans eat a lot of greens, carbohydrates, meat and vegetables. 

Agriculture and fishing is not only a source of income it is the way of life. Natural resources have drawn excavators from across the world for ages, the climate, environment and cultures are all set to procure a raw, uncut, untapped, virgin and organic lifestyle. The vegetables you eat are not frozen but fresh from a nearby garden and the eggs, beef, chicken and fish are as organic as the vegetables in the garden. If you eat seafood you will have a collection of organic crabs, shrimps, lobsters and scallops. You get your organic food direct from the fields, rivers and the seas.

Some also rare organic lamb and goat to provide exotic meat. It's almost impossible not to eat organic food in West Africa since everything grows or tills from the soil. Palm oil which is derived from palm nut on palm trees is a traditional oil that West Africans will come to use while cooking. It is highly nutritious and good for your system.

JOLLOF RICE


  Click picture above to see a clip of how to cook Nigerian style Jollof Rice 

This cuisine originated from Senegal and the Gambia but it is cooked and served throughout West Africa. Senegal and the Gambia are home to the Jollof tribe and the Mandinka tribe among other tribes. The Jollof tribe first introduced the Jollof rice which is a yellowish cooked rice served with plenty of vegetables and a choice between beef, fish or chicken.

Special West African spices and seasonings are added to create the flavors needed. This is one of the most delicious West African meals that you will remember having. Rice is a staple food in West Africa but along with rice you will also find people eating potato, yam or cassava. However most West African foods are served in a rice and soup formula. The jollof rice is the only cuisine that mixes the two in one dish and can also be served with a chicken, beef or fish stew on the side.

       Click picture above to see a clip showing how a version is cooked.

The groundnut soup is primarily made from peanut butter. When peanut butter is boiled in water with vegetables it turns into a delicious creamy soup in which you could add steamed fish, beef, pork or chicken (optional). It’s quick and easy to prepare. Most African dishes are seased with spices for a specific flavor. The emphasis is placed on vegetables. This is a delicious meal that was first introduced to West Africa by the Mandingos. The Mandinka tribe is a sub tribe from the ‘Mende’ family of  tribes also known as Mandingo. However, this meal is found all over West Africa being cooked among all tribes. Much like the other cuisines this groundnut soup can be eaten with rice and it is another finger licking good West African dish that many in the West may not know.

        Click picture above to see two different ways to cook the red stew.

This stew sometimes called the red stew because of the color from the tomatoes in it. It is similar to the groundnut soup but without the peanut butter. It’s cooked with palm, coconut or vegetable oil (optional). Then fish, chicken or beef (optional) is fried or boiled in oil with plenty of vegetables and then seasoned. It was introduced to West Africa by the Krio tribe. Members of this tribe are the descendants of ex West Indian and African American slaves who repatriated back to West Africa after slavery was abolished. Many repatriated africans were setteled in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, The Ivory Coast and Senegal. They each cook a similar version of the beef stew cooked in the West and served with rice. It is another saliva mouth dripping dish that restaurants do not serve in the West.

                         
 Click picture above  to watch a clip of how to cook cassava leaves and rice

Cassava leaf is pounded and stirred into a soucy dish made from the greens on the cassava plant. The ground greens are steamed with vegetables using palm, coconut or vegetable oil (optional). A bit of peanut butter is added in during the cooking process. This is a traditional meal from West Africa which is very highly desired by most tribes in West Africa. Each tribe calls it a different name but the cooking process and tastes are similar across the board. It is served with rice. If you want to win a West African over, you will show appreciation for this traditional meal. It is another saliva dripping dish that never fails to win a first timer. It is mostly found in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

POTATOE GREENS & RICE


Click on the picture of the potatoe greens and rice above to watch a clip of a Liberian style of cooking.

FUFU AND PEPPER SOUP


                     Click picture to see how to eat fufu

PEPPER SOUP


Click the picture above to see a clip of West African kid eating fufu.