12 delicious fermented recipes from around the world
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.
Sanga de Manioc is a traditional Cameroonian dish made from fermented cassava flour, often served with a flavorful sauce. It's a staple in many households, providing a hearty and satisfying meal.
Chikwangue, also known as Kwanga or Chikwanga, is a staple side dish in Congolese cuisine. Made from fermented cassava dough, it's traditionally steamed in banana leaves, resulting in a dense, slightly tangy, bread-like accompaniment to stews and sauces.
Fesikh is a traditional Egyptian dish made from salted and fermented grey mullet, often enjoyed during the Sham El-Nessim spring festival. This process requires careful salting and extended fermentation, resulting in a unique, pungent flavor profile that is an acquired taste. Due to the fermentation process, it is crucial to ensure the fish is handled and prepared hygienically to avoid foodborne illnesses. This recipe outlines the traditional method.
A refreshing and tangy Egyptian salad made from fermented dried yogurt and grains (kishk), mixed with fresh vegetables. This traditional dish, particularly popular in Upper Egypt, offers a unique flavor profile and is often served as a side dish with bread.
Spongy, tangy sourdough flatbread made from 100% teff flour, serving as the essential base for countless Ethiopian dishes. Its unique texture and flavor come from a multi-day fermentation process.
Kocho is a traditional, staple flatbread made from the fermented pulp of the enset plant (false banana tree), particularly in the Gurage and southern regions of Ethiopia. It has a unique, slightly sour, earthy flavor and a dense, chewy texture. This recipe focuses on the preparation and cooking of the fermented kocho dough.
Tella is a traditional Ethiopian fermented beverage, often described as a beer, brewed using gesho (a type of buckthorn), barley, and teff. It has a characteristic sour and slightly alcoholic taste.
Fante Kenkey is a traditional Ghanaian dish made from fermented maize dough, wrapped in plantain leaves and steamed. It has a distinct tangy flavor. This version is served with a spicy Shito sauce and crispy fried fish, offering a delightful combination of textures and tastes.
Ga Kenkey is a popular Ghanaian dish made from fermented corn dough, steamed in corn husks until firm. It has a distinct tangy flavor and a dense texture, often served as a side to various stews and sauces. This recipe pairs it with Shito, a spicy Ghanaian black pepper sauce, and crispy fried fish, creating a classic and satisfying meal.
A popular street food and staple, Kenkey is fermented maize dough steamed in plantain leaves, served with spicy shito (a chili-based sauce) and fried fish.
Fatoo is a hearty and nutritious porridge made from fermented sorghum, a staple grain in Lesotho. It has a slightly tangy flavor due to fermentation and is often enjoyed for breakfast or as a filling meal. It can be served plain or with added sugar.
