Kwanzaa Food Ideas: Tasty Recipes for a Joyous Celebration

Kwanza Food Ideas
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A seven-day celebration of African American culture and heritage is an annual event lasting from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is a magnificent blend of vibrant colors, cheerful rhythms, dancing, and tasty food.

There are seven principles of Kwanzaa, each celebrated on a separate day by lighting a candle on the kinara (a traditional candle holder).

The highlight of this holiday is a huge feast on December 31, with delish, traditional dishes that honor African and African American traditions and community. Here is a list of food ideas to prepare for Kwanzaa!

Jollof Rice

This bright red, creamy West African rice is probably the best one you can have! It is a wonderful blend of tomatoes, onions, peppers, loads of spices, and herbs simmered in beef bullion. 

The Oven Does All the Work In This Easy Jollof Rice Recipe
Jollof rice is bold, deeply red, and explodes with flavor. Our easy version is cooked in the oven, which means you don’t have to keep an eye on it.
Check out this recipe
The Oven Does All the Work In This Easy Jollof Rice Recipe

Fufu – African Dumplings

Fufu is a staple side dish in West and Central African countries, but it is rather specific. Africans make them with starchy ingredients, like yuca and plantain, so it has a soft, smooth, but still dense consistency. It goes perfectly with soups!

West African Fufu
Fufu (or foofoo or foufou) is possibly one the most famous west African ”swallow” foods. It is a filling side dish – starchy, smooth, dense, and stretchy that is much beloved because it is delicious, simple, satisfying, and easy to prepare.
Check out this recipe
West African Fufu

Kenyan Kuku Paka – Chicken in Coconut Sauce

The base of this fantastic dish is a creamy, spicy coconut milk-based sauce that tenderizes chicken to a melt-in-the-mouth texture. The flavors are beautifully layered, as well, as the recipe calls for grilling the chicken first!

Kenyan Kuku Paka
Embark on a culinary adventure in Kenya with Kuku Paka, a tantalizing dish that sets itself apart by an exceptional step: grilling marinated chicken to perfection before they meet a creamy coconut sauce. This unique preparation infuses the succulent chicken with a smoky, charred essence that pairs harmoniously with the rich, aromatic coconut-infused sauce.
Check out this recipe
Kenyan Kuku Paka

African Peanut Stew

This stew is packed with flavor and infused with rich spices like coriander, cayenne pepper, and ginger. But the base note is definitely peanut, which pairs impeccably with meat and veggies. I love the chicken the most!

African Peanut Stew (Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or Stove Top)
African Peanut Stew is a wholesome dairy free meal, full of warm flavors. Make this recipe on a stove top, in a crock pot, or Instant Pot!
Check out this recipe
African Peanut Stew (Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or Stove Top)

Benne Cookies

If you fancy a crispy bite, you will love benne cookies/wafers. The base ingredient is sesame seeds, which give them a specific, rich, nutty flavor. Brown sugar in the recipe gives it a caramel-y finish – yum!

Benne Cookies Recipe
Emily Meggett, who published her first cookbook, “Gullah Geechee Home Cooking: Recipes From the Matriarch of Edisto Island,” at 89, learned how to make these crisp wafer cookies from her grandmother who learned from generations before Benne seeds, sesame seeds that enslaved Africans brought with them to the southeastern shores of America, have long been a staple in Gullah Geechee cooking
Check out this recipe
Benne Cookies Recipe

Jamaican Curry Goat

This bold, complex, and intensely flavored dish is a true delicacy. It is fragrant and aromatic due to the vibrant spice blend, typical for Jamaican cuisine. Goat meat has an earthy taste, so it complements spices and absorbs flavors perfectly. 

Jamaican Curry Goat
Jamaican Curry Goat is a beloved Caribbean meal made of stewed goat meat, and chunks of potatoes in a thick, savoury curry sauce.
Check out this recipe
Jamaican Curry Goat

Spiced Honey Cake

Sweetness and spice duo is a signature touch of many dishes from African cuisine. The spice comes from cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and orange zest, while the cake is super moist and spongy. It is a perfect combo!

Spiced Honey Cake
100% sweetened with honey and wafting an aroma of spices like cinnamon and cloves, this moist spiced honey cake is perfect for tea time.
Check out this recipe
Spiced Honey Cake

Fried Catfish

Fried catfish is a reflection of African American culinary traditions in the South. The fish alone is tender and juicy, but the coating is the real star of the dish. The signature crisp comes from yellow cornmeal, plus it is loaded with spices.

Classic Southern Fried Catfish (Best Recipe)
Our Fried Catfish Recipe is a crunchy, satisfying dish with a cornmeal coating and dipped in buttermilk. Perfect with practically any side, it is ideal for any weeknight meal.
Check out this recipe
Classic Southern Fried Catfish (Best Recipe)

Chakalaka – South African Vegetable Relish

After all these hearty meat dishes, you will want something tangy to balance it all out. Chakalaka can be more or less spicy, depending on how many chili peppers you add. The zesty and vibrant side is a refreshing kick you’ll love!

Chakalaka {South African Vegetable Relish – Vegan, Gluten Free}
Chakalaka is a traditional South African relish that is spicy, tangy, and oh-so-good. Baked beans, peppers, chopped tomatoes, fresh thyme, ginger, and other flavourful ingredients make this a dish to remember. Learn how to easily make Chakalaka here!
Check out this recipe
Chakalaka {South African Vegetable Relish – Vegan, Gluten Free}

Ghanian Red Red – Black-Eyed Peas Stew

Red Red is a real gem of Ghanaian cuisine! It is everything – hearty, rich, savory, and comforting. I love the texture the most, though, as it becomes incredibly creamy and soft once you cook it down.

Ghanaian Red Red
This rich Ghanaian red red stew is a simple yet delicious vegan dish perfect for Sunday brunch or holiday dinner.
Check out this recipe
Ghanaian Red Red

Peri-Peri Shrimp

This phenomenal shrimp marinated in peri-peri sauce originates from Mozambique. Peri-peri seasoning is spicy heaven, and you have a detailed recipe for it here! You can fry or bake them, but grilling gives them that particular smoky smack! 

Peri Peri Shrimp
Peri Peri Shrimp is great as a main dish or a tasty appetizer and is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory.
Check out this recipe
Peri Peri Shrimp

Dear chefs, thank you for sharing these unique, vibrant, rich, and spicy recipes with us! Some of the best foods in the world come straight from Africa!

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