traditional Recipes
501 delicious traditional recipes from around the world
Potjiekos
A traditional South African pot stew, where layers of meat and vegetables are slow-cooked in a cast-iron pot over low heat, often a campfire or braai. This method ensures the ingredients cook gently and retain their distinct flavors and textures.
Pounded Yam
A smooth, stretchy, and satisfying staple of Nigerian cuisine, traditionally made by pounding boiled yam until it achieves a dough-like consistency. It's often referred to as 'swallow' because it's used to scoop up soups and stews.
Quanta Firfir (Ethiopian Dried Beef Firfir)
A hearty and flavorful Ethiopian dish featuring dried spiced beef (quanta) rehydrated and tossed with torn injera bread and a fragrant spiced butter (niter kibbeh). Traditionally a traveler's meal, it's now enjoyed widely.
Rfissa (Moroccan Chicken and Lentil Stew with Shredded Msemen)
A traditional Moroccan dish, Rfissa, is a comforting and flavorful stew made with chicken, lentils, and aromatic spices, served over shredded msemen (a layered flatbread). It's particularly cherished as a celebratory meal for new mothers, believed to aid in recovery and lactation due to the inclusion of fenugreek.
Rghaïf (Moroccan Laminated Flatbread)
Rghaïf is a traditional Moroccan laminated flatbread, known for its incredibly flaky, layered texture. Perfect for breakfast or as a side, it's often served with honey, cheese, or even stuffed with savory fillings.
Rooibos Tea
A comforting and naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion from South Africa, known for its rich flavor and antioxidant properties. This simple preparation highlights the tea's unique character.
Roosterkoek (South African Braai Bread)
Roosterkoek, meaning 'grilled cake' in Afrikaans, are delicious, slightly sweet, yeasted or baking powder-leavened breads cooked directly on the coals of a braai (barbecue). They are a quintessential part of South African outdoor cooking, perfect for serving alongside grilled meats or as a snack with butter and jam.
Rusks (Beskuit)
Traditional South African twice-baked biscuits, known as beskuit, are hard, dry, and perfectly designed for dunking in coffee or tea. This recipe yields a classic, slightly sweet version.
Salatet Kishk (Egyptian Fermented Grain Salad)
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.
Samak Sayadiya (Egyptian Fisherman's Rice)
A classic Egyptian coastal dish featuring tender, pan-fried fish served atop fragrant rice infused with the deep, sweet flavor of caramelized onions. This dish is a testament to simple, fresh ingredients transformed into a rich and satisfying meal.
Samp and Beans
A beloved Xhosa staple, this dish features dried corn kernels (samp) and sugar beans slow-cooked to tender perfection. It's a hearty and comforting meal, famously a favorite of Nelson Mandela.
Seffa Medfouna (Hidden Chicken Vermicelli)
A classic Moroccan festive dish, Seffa Medfouna features tender, spiced chicken pieces enveloped within a mound of fluffy, steamed vermicelli, then elegantly garnished with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and toasted almonds. The name 'Medfouna' translates to 'hidden', referring to the chicken concealed within the vermicelli.
Sekoei Beskuit (Buttermilk Rusks)
Authentic South African Sekoei Beskuit, these traditional buttermilk rusks are perfectly crisp and designed for dunking into your favorite hot beverage like coffee or rooibos. They are a staple for a reason!
Sellou (Moroccan Roasted Flour and Almond Confection)
A traditional Moroccan energy-boosting confection, Sellou is made from finely ground toasted flour, almonds, and sesame seeds, bound together with butter and honey, and subtly spiced with cinnamon. It's a popular and sustaining treat, especially during Ramadan.
Sellou (Sfouf)
A traditional Moroccan energy-boosting sweet, Sellou, also known as Sfouf, is a delightful blend of toasted flour, almonds, sesame seeds, honey, and butter. It's a staple during Ramadan for sustained energy and is also cherished by new mothers for its nutritional benefits.
Shekla Tibs (Sizzling Clay Pot Beef/Lamb)
Authentic Ethiopian Shekla Tibs, featuring tender beef or lamb seared and simmered in a traditional clay pot with aromatic spices and herbs, served sizzling hot. This dish is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine, often prepared for special occasions and served family-style.
Skilpadjies (Lamb Liver Wrapped in Caul Fat)
A traditional South African braai (barbecue) delicacy, skilpadjies are small parcels of lamb liver, seasoned and wrapped in caul fat, then grilled over coals until the fat is rendered and crispy, and the liver is tender and cooked through. The name translates to 'little tortoises' due to their appearance when cooked.
Smen (Moroccan Fermented Butter)
Smen is a traditional Moroccan preserved butter, essential for its unique, pungent, and deeply savory flavor. It's made by clarifying butter, then fermenting it with salt and herbs for an extended period. This process transforms the butter into a complex condiment used in many iconic Moroccan dishes.
Snoek Braai (South African Grilled Snoek)
A classic South African braai (barbecue) dish featuring snoek, a firm white fish, grilled to perfection and glazed with a sweet apricot and butter sauce. This recipe is a beloved Cape tradition.
Souskluitjies (Cinnamon Dumplings in Sweet Sauce)
A comforting and traditional South African dessert featuring soft, fluffy cinnamon-spiced dumplings gently poached in a sweet, syrupy sauce.
South African Braai (Barbecue)
A quintessential South African social gathering centered around grilling various meats over a wood fire. This includes traditional boerewors, succulent lamb chops, marinated chicken, and flavorful sosaties (kebabs). It's more than a meal; it's a cherished cultural experience.
Stywe Pap (Stiff Maize Porridge)
Stywe pap is a dense, firm maize porridge, a traditional South African staple. Its stiff texture makes it perfect for scooping up flavorful stews and gravies.
Tameletjie (South African Toffee)
A classic South African sweet treat, Tameletjie is a sticky, crunchy toffee made from sugar, butter, vinegar, and golden syrup. It's often referred to as 'farm candy' and is a beloved traditional confection.
Tangia (Marrakech Slow-Cooked Lamb)
A traditional Marrakech specialty, Tangia is an incredibly simple yet profoundly flavorful slow-cooked lamb dish. Traditionally cooked in the embers of a hammam (public bath) furnace, this recipe adapts it for a home oven, resulting in meltingly tender lamb infused with aromatic spices and preserved lemon.