Ivy Newton-Gamble's Blog: Everyday African Food

Goso the Teacher

Once there was a man named Goso, who taught children to read, not in a schoolhouse, but under a calabash tree. One evening, while Goso was sitting under the tree deep in the study of the next day’s lessons, Paa, the gazelle, climbed up the tree very quietly to steal some fruit, and in so doing shook off a calabash, which, in falling, struck the teacher on the head and killed him.

When his scholars came in the morning and found their teacher lying dead, they were filled with grief; so, after giving him a decent burial, they agreed among themselves to find the one who had killed Goso, and put him to death.

After talking the matter over they came to the conclusion that the south wind was the offender.

So they caught the south wind and beat it.

But the south wind cried: “Here! I am Koo′see, the south wind. Why are you beating me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Koosee; it was you who threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Koosee said, “If I were so powerful would I be stopped by a mud wall?”

So they went to the mud wall and beat it.

But the mud wall cried: “Here! I am Keeyambaa′za, the mud wall. Why are you beating me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Keeyambaaza; it was you who stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Keeyambaaza said, “If I were so powerful would I be bored through by the rat?”

So they went and caught the rat and beat it.

But the rat cried: “Here! I am Paan′ya, the rat. Why are you beating me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Paanya; it was you who bored through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Paanya said, “If I were so powerful would I be eaten by a cat?”

So they hunted for the cat, caught it, and beat it.

But the cat cried: “Here! I am Paa′ka, []the cat. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Paaka; it is you that eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Paaka said, “If I were so powerful would I be tied by a rope?”

So they took the rope and beat it.

But the rope cried: “Here! I am Kaam′ba, the rope. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Kaamba; it is you that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Kaamba said, “If I were so powerful would I be cut by a knife?”

So they took the knife and beat it.

But the knife cried: “Here! I am Kee′soo, the knife. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Keesoo; you cut Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Keesoo said, “If I were so powerful would I be burned by the fire?”

And they went and beat the fire.

But the fire cried: “Here! I am Mo′to, the fire. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Moto; you burn Keesoo, the knife; that []cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Moto said, “If I were so powerful would I be put out by water?”

And they went to the water and beat it.

But the water cried: “Here! I am Maa′jee, the water. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Maajee; you put out Moto, the fire; that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.” []

But Maajee said, “If I were so powerful would I be drunk by the ox?”

And they went to the ox and beat it.

But the ox cried: “Here! I am Ng’om′bay, the ox. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Ng’ombay; you drink Maajee, the water; that puts out Moto, the fire; that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Ng’ombay said, “If I were so powerful would I be tormented by the fly?”

And they caught a fly and beat it.

But the fly cried: “Here! I am Een′zee, the fly. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Eenzee; you torment Ng’ombay, the ox; who drinks Maajee, the water; that puts out Moto, the fire; that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

But Eenzee said, “If I were so powerful would I be eaten by the gazelle?”

And they searched for the gazelle, and when they found it they beat it.

But the gazelle said: “Here! I am Paa, the gazelle. Why do you beat me? What have I done?”

When they found the gazelle they beat it.

And they said: “Yes, we know you are Paa; you eat Eenzee, the fly; that torments Ng’ombay, the ox; who drinks Maajee, the water; that puts out Moto, the fire; that burns Keesoo, the knife; that cuts Kaamba, the rope; that ties Paaka, the cat; who eats Paanya, the rat; who bores through Keeyambaaza, the mud wall; which stopped Koosee, the south wind; and Koosee, the south wind, threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. You should not have done it.”

The gazelle, through surprise at being found out and fear of the consequences of his accidental killing of the teacher, while engaged in stealing, was struck dumb.

Then the scholars said: “Ah! he hasn’t a word to say for himself. This is the fellow who threw down the calabash that struck our teacher Goso. We will kill him.”

So they killed Paa, the gazelle, and avenged the death of their teacher.

Clip from ADVENTURES IN SWAZILAND

Couscous also known as kuskus

Confused about couscous also known as kuskus? The dish is a primary staple throughout North Africa. It’s both a name for wheat-grain semolina, appearing in many supermarkets today as simply couscous, and for a spicy chicken-vegetable stew served with cooked semolina that’s popular throughout North Africa. Traditional couscous requires considerable preparation time and is usually steamed and fluffed to separate the couscous granules. In many places, a more-processed, quick-cook couscous is available and is particularly valued for its short preparation time. Couscous is traditionally served under a meat or vegetable stew. It can also be eaten alone, flavoured or plain, warm or cold, as a dessert or a side dish.

Curried Couscous

Ingredients

2 teaspoons butter

16 ounce can reduced-sodium fat-free vegetable broth

1/3 cup water

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

10 ounce package couscous

Directions

Bring the butter, broth, and water to boil in a medium saucepan. Gradually stir in curry powder, allspice and couscous. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork serve warm as a side dish for lamb, chicken or for a vegetarian option serve with grilled vegetables.

Chickpea Barley Salad
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups barley
1 1/2 cups chicken or veggie broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
Olive oil
1 15-ounce can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and strained
1 cup shelled pistachio nuts
1 cup diced dried apricots
2-3 chopped green onions or scallions
1 cup chopped parsley
Zest and juice of a lemon
1 Tbsp of ras el hanout spice mix*
Salt to taste

*Ras El Hanout Spice Mix:

1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Method

1 Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot on medium high heat. Add the barley and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Add the broth, water, and a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the barley is tender, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how old the barley is.

2 Strain the cooked barley through a colander or sieve and run cold water over to cool it quickly. Toss and mix in the colander to strain as much water as you can.

3 Lay out the barley on a sheet pan and drizzle olive oil over it. Mix to coat well and set aside.

4 In a large bowl, add the chickpeas, pistachios, apricots, green onions and parsley and mix well. Add the zest and juice of the lemon and mix again. Add the barley and mix. Sprinkle the ras el hanout spice mixture over the barley and mix well. Taste, and add salt if needed.

5 Let the salad marinate for an hour or so before serving. If the barley has absorbed all the olive oil, drizzle a little more on right before serving.

Yield: Serves 6-8

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moroccan_chickpea_barley_salad/

Nationality:   

noun: Sudanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Sudanese

 

Ethnic groups:   

Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Fallata

 

Languages:   

Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur

note: program of “Arabization” in process

 

Religions:   

Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

 

Population:   

34,206,710

country comparison to the world: 37

note: includes the population of South Sudan (8,260,490); demographic data includes South Sudan (July 2012 est.)

[image error]

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/su.html

 Cardamom Carrots 

Cardamom Carrots



An easy carrot side dish bursting with sweet and savory flavors, these cardamom carrots will make any dinner a special occasion. Julienned carrots are tossed in a sweet butter sauce sweetened with cardamom and citrus, and served piping hot. The crisp carrots, sweet brown sugar, and tangy citrus make this simple carrot salad an instant classic!

Ingredients:

2 lb carrots, julienned

1 tsp salt

¼ c. butter

¼ c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp grated orange peel

Directions:

1. Place carrots and salt in large saucepan and add enough water to just cover carrots. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover, and simmer for 7-9 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.

2. In large skillet melt butter. Whisk in brown sugar, cardamom and orange peel. Cook, and stir over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Add carrots to skillet, toss to coat, and serve hot.

www.carrotrecipes.net

Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria

Why the Bat flies by Night

A bush rat called Oyot was a great friend of Emiong, the bat; they always fed  together, but the bat was jealous of the bush rat. When the bat cooked the food  it was always very good, and the bush rat said, “How is it that when you make

the soup it is so tasty?”

The bat replied, “I always boil myself in the water, and my flesh is so sweet, that the soup is good.”He then told the bush rat that he would show him how it was done; so he got a pot of warm water, which he told the bush rat was boiling water, and jumped into

it, and very shortly afterwards came out again. When the soup was brought it was as strong and good as usual, as the bat had prepared it beforehand. The bush rat then went home and told his wife that he was going to make good soup like the bat’s. He therefore told her to boil some water, which she did. Then, when his wife was not looking, he jumped into the pot, and was very soon dead.

When his wife looked into the pot and saw the dead body of her husband boiling  she was very angry, and reported the matter to the king, who gave orders that the bat should be made a prisoner. Every one turned out to catch the bat, but as he expected trouble he flew away into the bush and hid himself. All day long the people tried to catch him, so he had to change his habits, and only came out to feed when it was dark, and that is why you never see a bat in the daytime.

Apricot Raisin Chutney

Ingredients:

2 cups white vinegar

1 lb. dried chopped apricots

1 lb. seedless raisins

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

2 teaspoons grated ginger

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon allspice

2 tablespoons dried onions

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Add all ingredients together and simmer 30 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour chutney into a 2 quart jar. Allow to cool on the counter. Use chutney in place of ketchup, mayo, salsa, mustard etc… Chutney tastes great on grilled meat.

Chad has numerous languages with over 120 in fact, the official languages in Chad are Arabic and French. باذنجان (eggplant in Arabic and aubergine in French) une aubergine is a time-honored Chadian recipe using eggplants cooked with okra and peanut butter.

 

Une Aubergine

Ingredients:

2 cups collard greens finely shredded

2 cups mustard greens finely shredded

1 large sweet potato cubed

1 eggplant cubed

2 cups fresh okra, chopped

10 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup smooth peanut butter

Salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a large pot except peanut butter and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for half an hour, or until the vegetables are tender. Mix peanut butter until a smooth sauce forms. Add tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes longer. Serve with white or brown rice or with boiled green plantains.

Nigerian Stew is the basis for most Nigerian soups/stews. It is made from a blended mix of peppers, tomatoes and onions. This tasty and aromatic stew is everyone’s favorite in Nigeria. 
 
Nigerian Stew   
Yields 3-4 servings
Ingredients:
2 lbs. white meat chicken cut into small stripes
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Black pepper & salt to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups white rice
 
Directions:
Heat oil brown onions. Add all ingredients into a large pot cover and simmer 30 minutes

Cucumber Chickpea Salad

 

Ingredients:

2 can chickpeas, drained

1 cup chopped tomatoes ( or more if you like tomatoes)

1/2 cup minced onions

1/2 cup sliced celery

1 cucumber sliced and chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon dill weed

Salt & pepper to taste

3 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

Directions:

Mix oil & vinegar well and set aside. Combine all other ingredients and toss with the oil and vinegar mixture. Chill before serving and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.