21 delicious beninese recipes from around the world
Whole fish, typically grilled or baked until tender and slightly smoky, served with a vibrant and spicy tomato-based sauce.
Djenkoume are savory cornmeal cakes, often served as a side dish or accompaniment to stews and sauces. They are made from cornmeal cooked in a flavorful tomato and onion base, seasoned with spices, and can be formed into cakes or served as a thick porridge.
Gbekui is a unique and flavorful vegetable dish from Benin, often prepared with a variety of local greens and seasoned to perfection. It showcases the resourceful use of vegetables in Beninese cuisine and is typically served as a side dish or a light meal.
Moin Moin is a savory steamed pudding made from ground black-eyed peas, seasoned with onions, peppers, and other aromatics. It's a versatile dish often served as a side or a light meal, showcasing the use of legumes in Beninese cuisine.
Gboma Dessi is a flavorful and hearty stew featuring tender chicken and wilted spinach in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce. It's a comforting dish that highlights the use of fresh greens and aromatic spices common in Beninese cuisine.
Ago Glain is a flavorful Beninese crab stew, originating from the Fon people. It features tender crab meat cooked in a rich sauce made with tomatoes, onions, peanut butter, and a hint of chili, often served with rice.
A rich and flavorful chicken dish where chicken pieces are simmered in a savory sauce enriched with bone marrow, creating a deeply satisfying and tender meal. This dish highlights the use of local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
Wassa Wassa is a traditional Beninese dish, particularly popular in the northern and central regions. It's a type of couscous made from yam flour, often served with a flavorful sauce, typically featuring fish or chicken. The preparation involves a meticulous process of forming granules and steaming, making it a labor of love, often prepared by local vendors.
A rich and savory chicken dish where chicken pieces are simmered in a flavorful sauce made with bone marrow, tomatoes, onions, and spices. It's a hearty and traditional Beninese preparation, often served with rice or fufu.
Grilled or baked fish served with a rich and savory peanut sauce. This dish combines the smoky flavor of grilled fish with the creamy, nutty goodness of the sauce.
A unique and flavorful sauce from the Zou and southern regions of Benin, traditionally made with mutton blood, spices, and other ingredients. It's a rich, savory dish often served with akassa or eba.
A flavorful Beninese chicken dish featuring a rich sauce made with fermented palm pulp (tchon tchon), onions, tomatoes, and spices. It's often served with rice or fufu.
A hearty dish of pounded yam served with a vibrant and slightly spicy tomato and bell pepper sauce, often with added fish or meat.
A rich and flavorful chicken stew made with palm nut cream, a staple in Beninese cuisine. This dish is known for its deep, savory taste and aromatic spices.
A flavorful grilled or baked fish dish, inspired by the coastal city of Porto-Novo. This recipe features a marinade of spices, herbs, and often a touch of tomato and onion, resulting in a tender and aromatic fish.
A popular dish in Benin, 'Poulet DG' translates to 'Director's Chicken' and features chicken pieces stir-fried with vegetables and a savory sauce, often served with fried plantains.
Poulet Bicyclette, meaning 'Bicycle Chicken,' is a popular dish in Benin and Togo, known for its flavorful and tender chicken. The name likely comes from the active lifestyle of free-range chickens that roam freely, resembling a bicycle in their movement. This dish typically involves marinating chicken pieces in a blend of spices, then grilling or roasting them to perfection. It's often served with a side of vegetables and sometimes rice or potatoes.
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these savory fritters are made from blended black-eyed peas, onions, and chili. They are a popular street food and appetizer, often served with a spicy sauce.
A flavorful and tangy dish featuring chicken marinated in lemon, mustard, and onions, then simmered to perfection. While originating in Senegal, Poulet Yassa is widely enjoyed in Benin, showcasing the interconnectedness of West African cuisines.
Dakouin is a traditional Beninese fish dish, particularly popular along the coast. It features pan-fried tilapia marinated with aromatic spices, served with a rich tomato-based sauce and a base of roasted cassava flour (gari).
A staple dish in Benin, Pâte de Maïs is a dense cornmeal paste often served with a rich and flavorful peanut sauce. This combination is hearty, satisfying, and a cornerstone of Beninese cuisine.
