36 delicious staple recipes from around the world
A simple yet flavorful rice and bean dish, a staple in Angolan households. This version combines fluffy rice with tender beans in a savory base, often enhanced with aromatic vegetables.
A comforting and flavorful rice and black bean dish, Arroz de Feijão Preto Angolano is a staple that combines simple ingredients for a satisfying meal.
Funge de Bombó is a staple Angolan dish, a dense porridge made from cassava flour. It's known for its smooth, sticky texture and mild flavor, making it an ideal accompaniment to stews and sauces. The preparation involves a traditional method of pounding cassava, though modern recipes often use pre-ground cassava flour for convenience. It's a fundamental part of Angolan cuisine, consumed across the country.
Funje com Carne Seca is a hearty and traditional Angolan meal that combines the staple side dish, Funje (a dense porridge made from cassava flour), with flavorful dried meat (carne seca). The carne seca is typically rehydrated and then stewed with onions, tomatoes, and spices, creating a rich and savory accompaniment to the relatively plain Funje. This dish represents the resourceful use of ingredients in Angolan cuisine and is a comforting staple, often enjoyed in homes across the country.
Pirão de Milho is a staple Angolan side dish made from cornmeal, creating a smooth, thick porridge. It's typically served with flavorful stews and sauces, acting as a comforting and filling accompaniment.
Amiwo is a staple Beninese dish made from cornmeal, often served with a rich and savory peanut sauce. This combination is a cornerstone of Beninese cuisine, offering a hearty and flavorful meal.
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.
A staple dish in Burundi, consisting of firm cornmeal porridge (bugali) served with a rich, savory meat sauce made from ground beef and vegetables.
A delightful combination of creamy coconut-infused ugali (maize porridge) served with pan-fried or grilled fish, a staple from Lake Tanganyika. This dish offers a balance of savory fish and comforting, subtly sweet ugali.
Sanga is a hearty and nutritious dish made from cassava and corn flour, often served as a staple accompaniment to various stews and sauces in Cameroon. It's a versatile dish that can be prepared in different consistencies, from a firm dough to a softer porridge.
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.
Foufou, a staple starch made from pounded cassava or cornmeal, serves as the perfect vehicle for the rich and flavorful Gombo (okra) sauce. This sauce, a cornerstone of Central African cuisine, is simmered with tender meat or fish, tomatoes, and onions, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
A fragrant and flavorful rice dish, Comoros Pilaou is a staple that reflects the islands' diverse culinary influences. Typically made with meat (often beef) and a medley of aromatic spices, it's 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.
A hearty and flavorful dish of slow-cooked red beans served over fluffy rice, often accompanied by boiled green bananas. This is a staple comfort food in Congolese cuisine.
A comforting and flavorful dish of slow-cooked red beans served with fluffy rice, a staple in Congolese households.
Aish Baladi is the quintessential Egyptian whole wheat flatbread, often referred to as the 'daily bread'. This rustic pita-style bread is known for its characteristic puff during baking, which creates a natural pocket, making it perfect for scooping or filling. It's a simple yet essential staple in Egyptian cuisine.
A classic Egyptian everyday side dish, this simple yet flavorful mixed rice features tender grains of rice perfectly complemented by golden-brown toasted vermicelli. It's a staple that pairs beautifully with a wide variety of main courses.
A staple West African dish, Fufu is a dense, starchy side made from pounded cassava and plantains. It's traditionally served with a flavorful spinach sauce (Kotu), which is a rich blend of leafy greens, tomatoes, onions, and often includes fish or meat for added depth.
Niter Kibbeh is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine, a deeply fragrant, spiced clarified butter that forms the flavor base for countless dishes. Its rich aroma and extended shelf life make it an essential ingredient.
A staple Ghanaian dish featuring fermented corn and cassava dough (Banku) served with a flavorful grilled tilapia, often accompanied by a spicy shito (pepper sauce).
Kokonte is a staple food in Ghana made from dried cassava flour, offering a dense, starchy base. It is traditionally served with a flavorful okro stew, which can be prepared with various meats or fish. This combination provides a hearty and satisfying meal, showcasing the versatility of Ghanaian cuisine.
Kokonte is a dense, dough-like staple food made from dried cassava flour, a popular dish in Ghana, particularly among the Akan and Ewe people. It has a neutral flavor that pairs exceptionally well with rich, savory soups. Groundnut soup, made from ground peanuts, is a classic accompaniment, offering a creamy texture and nutty depth that complements the kokonte perfectly. This combination is a comforting and filling meal, often enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
Kokonte is a hearty, dense dish made from dried cassava flour, often served as a staple. It pairs exceptionally well with the rich and savory palm nut soup (Abenkwan), creating a deeply satisfying and culturally significant meal. The slightly bitter notes of the kokonte are beautifully complemented by the complex flavors of the palm nut soup.