A Journey Through Benin Republic: Exploring Its Traditional Dishes
Ebby posted: " SEASON 5, EPISODE 21 Benin Republic, also known as Benin, is a country located in West Africa. It shares borders with Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Porto-Novo is th"
Benin Republic, also known as Benin, is a country located in West Africa. It shares borders with Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Porto-Novo is the capital city of Benin Republic while the largest city, Cotonou is the economic and commercial city of the country.
Benin has a rich history, with various kingdoms and empires emerging in the region over the centuries. The Kingdom of Dahomey, which existed from the 17th to the 19th centuries, was one of the most powerful and influential kingdoms in West Africa. Benin gained independence from France in 1960.
There are many indigenous languages spoken in Benin including Yoruba, Fon, Gound. The official language is French, which was inherited from its colonial past. Benin Republic is a country with a rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and a growing economy, making it an intriguing destination for travellers and a unique place to explore in West Africa.
On today's episode of Learn Africa we look at some mouthwatering local dishes that are eaten by the Beninese.
Djèwo
Djèwo, also known as Amiwo in Fon, is a dish made from corn flour popularly eaten by the people in the Central and Southern parts of Benin Republic. It is well-seasoned and served along with tomato sauce, diced green pepper and chicken.
Add some quantity of cooking oil into a clean cooking pot and place over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic into the pan and allow to sauté for some minutes.
Add some quantity of chopped tomatoes, some water and allow to cook for some minutes.
Add chilli pepper, salt, seasoning into the mixture and allow to cook.
When the mixture has boiled and cooked well, gently add the corn flour to the mixture and stir well with a wooden stirrer to make a thick paste. Cover the mixture for some minutes under low heat. When it is thickened, put off the heat.
Inside a cooking pan, add some cooking oil, chopped onions, minced garlic, chopped tomatoes, chopped green pepper, tomato paste, and allow to cook for some minutes.
Add salt and seasoning to taste, and allow to simmer for some minutes.
Serve the corn meal and sauce with fried or cooked chicken depending on your taste.
Crincrin Sauce (Ninnouwi)
The crincrin sauce, also known as Ninnouwi is a popular dish enjoyed by the Beninese. It is either eaten alongside other foods or consumed on its own.
Ingredients
Chopped scotch bonnet peppers
Black pepper
Chilli pepper
Ground ginger
Ground garlic
Chopped onions
Beef (cow) skin (Kpomo)
Smoked fish
Dried fish
Crabs
Jute leaves (Ewedu, Ayoyo)
Salt
Seasoning
Cooking oil
Locust beans (Iru, Daddawa, ogiri)
How to prepare
Properly wash the crabs, beef skin, dried fish and smoked fish separately to remove any dirt and place inside separate bowls.
Pick the jute leaves and wash off dirt using clean water.
Put some quantity of water inside a cooking pot and place on heat. Add the crabs, beef skin and dried fish inside the cooking pot, cover and allow to boil.
After some minutes, add the ground garlic, black pepper, ground ginger, chopped onions, washed locust pepper, salt, and allow to cook together for some minutes.
In another cooking pot, add some quantity of water and place on heat. Add the jute leaves and allow to cook for some minutes. Use a wooden stirrer to stir well.
Pour the cooked beef skin, dried fish and stock into the cooking pot with the cooked jute leaves.
Add the chopped scotch bonnet peppers, chilli pepper and cooking oil to the mixture, stir well and allow to cook properly.
Wagassi
Wagassi, also known as wara, is a type of cheese made from cow's milk. It is a specialty that is popular in the northern part of Benin. It is made by heating the fresh cow milk in a large pot under heat and adding extract of Calotropis procera leaf.
Other foods that are eaten by the people of Benin Republic include Watché (Atassi) which is rice and beans, fufu, yovo doko, dahomey fish stew, ablo (rice cake), tchokourou (pounded yam), hankpete, and many others.
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