Part 1: How to eat in Africa

Coffee drinking is a ritual for locals in Ethiopia. Picture: Pixabay

Coffee drinking is a ritual for locals in Ethiopia. Picture: Pixabay

Published Oct 16, 2019

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When Liz Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts in the 2010 Box Office Hit "Eat Pray Love", has her perfect life turned upside down, she embarked on a self-discovery trip to Italy, India and Bali.

Many travellers have since recreated the iconic best-selling book and movie, visiting the same places Gilbert did. Africa is home to many attractions and fits perfectly with the "Eat, Love and Pray" theme. 

If you need some time to find yourself or fall in love with Africa, the continent delivers with culture, warm people and cuisine. 

From jollof rice to bunny chow to Piri Piri chicken, Africa is home to many culinary delights worth the calories. 

We look at three destinations on our foodie radar.

Ethiopia

Apart from the ancient culture, famed landmarks like Lalibela with its rock-cut Christian churches from the 12th–13th centuries and castle, you have to try Ethiopia's mouthwatering food offerings. 

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Lunch goals 😍 This vegan platter was served at a restaurant on a mountain top in Lalibela, Ethiopia called Ben Ababa (Ben meaning mountain in Scottish Gaelic language and Ababa meaning flower in Amharic). The owner was a retired Scottish school teacher who partnered with Ethiopians to open a restaurant serving Ethiopian food with a bit of Scottish fusion. The view is absolutely beautiful & the food is delicious. I had a Ethiopian scotch egg for the first time in which the pork was replaced with shiro (Ethiopian spiced chickpea powder) as well as a shepherds pie with shiro & himbasha (ethio bread) with tomato sauce🔥 It was amazing to see how different cultures connected to create such tasty food all while enjoying a breathtaking view. I’m back home now but look forward to recreating these delicious meals while adding my own American/ Canadian spin in my next experiment. Awaze wings or a shiro poutine are coming up soon🤣 don’t judge lol. Have you experimented with Ethiopian flavours before? Let me know in the comments🌶👇🏾 Ps. If you’re looking for the spices, stay tuned & shoot me a dm👌🏾I’ve got something dope coming this month. #blackfoodie #ethiopianfood #ethiopianfusion #blackgirlmagic #travelnoire #blackfoodblogger #ethiopia #lalibela #shiro #ethiopianspices #blacktravelwriter #eatfamous #tofoodies #essenceeats

A post shared by Eden | Food, Travel, Culture(@edenthefoodie) on Oct 12, 2019 at 10:10am PDT

Travellers need to be prepared to eat with their fingers. Most meals are served on injera, a sourdough-risen flatbread made with teff flour. Injera is used to scoop up whatever is served. 

Try the Dabo Kolo, an Ethiopian snack prepared with roasted barley, chickpeas and peanuts, which are available at street vendors and kiosks. 

Ethiopians are also big on coffee, the country's national drink. Coffee drinking is a ritual for locals that can take up to an hour.

Video: Kim Kay/African News Agency

Senegal 

Senegal is fast becoming a foodie destination. The country’s cuisine features French, Portuguese and North African influences. 

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A post shared by Miroir du Sénégal™🇸🇳 (@oeildusenegal) on Apr 9, 2019 at 8:38am PDT

Book a food tour to learn about the country's favourite dishes like Thieboudienne, a dish made from fish, rice and tomato sauce, or the Yassa, a spicy dish prepared with onions with poultry or marinated fish. 

After you have explored its foodie culture, cool down with a Bisaap, one of Senegal's famous beverage made with Hibiscus flowers. It seems like the perfect summer drink to enjoy after a day of indulging in culinary delights. 

Morocco

Tagine is one of Morocco’s beloved dishes. The dish got its name from the cone-shaped vessel it is prepared in and comes in vegetarian and meat varieties. 

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Pay a visit Morocco’s culinary capital, Fez, where you will find a string of restaurants with extensive menus.

*For the full story, get your copy of this weekend's (October 19 and 20) edition of our travel supplement inside the Sunday Tribune, Weekend Argus and Saturday Star newspapers.  

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