Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-bissau ( (listen); portuguese: guiné-bissau, fula: 𞤺𞤭𞤲𞤫 𞤦𞤭𞤧𞤢𞥄𞤱𞤮 gine-bisaawo, mandinka: ߖߌߣߍ ߺ ߓߌߛߊߥߏ߫ gine-bisawo), officially the republic of guinea-bissau (portuguese: república da guiné-bissau [ʁɛˈpuβlikɐ ðɐ ɣiˈnɛ βiˈsaw]), is a country in west africa that covers 36,125 square kilometres (13,948 sq mi) with an estimated population of ...

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Featured Dishes from Guinea-Bissau

Main

Abacate com atum

Tuna salad in avocado halves

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Avocado

The avocado (persea americana) is a tree originating in the americas which is likely native to the highland regions of south-central mexico to guatemala. it is classified as a member of the flowering plant family lauraceae. the fruit of the plant, also called an avocado (or avocado pear or alligator pear), is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed. avocado trees are partially self-pollinating, and are often propagated through grafting to maintain predictable fruit quality and quantity.avocados are cultivated in tropical and mediterranean climates of many countries, with mexico as the leading producer of avocados in 2019, supplying 32% of the world total. avocado production is one of the most environmentally intensive fruits, using 70 litres (18 us gallons; 15 imperial gallons) of water per avocado, and over 400 grams of co2 emissions. in major production regions like chile, mexico and california, the water demands for avocado puts pressure on overall water resources. avocado production is also connected to other concerns, including environmental justice and human rights concerns, deforestation and connections of mexican avocados with organized crime. climate change is expected to cause significant changes in the suitable growing zones for avocados, and put additional pressure due to heat waves and drought.the fruit of domestic varieties has a buttery flesh when ripe. depending on the variety, avocados have green, brown, purplish, or black skin when ripe, and may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical. commercially, the fruits are picked while immature, and ripened after harvesting. the high fat and smooth texture of avocados make it a useful and diverse food in different cuisines, and is traditionally important in mexican foods. the high nutritional value and concentration of fat, make avocados a commonly used food in vegetarian foods and generally is thought nutritious and healthy.

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Beans

A bean is the seed of one of several genera of the flowering plant family fabaceae, which are used as vegetables for human or animal food. they can be cooked in many different ways, including boiling, frying, and baking, and are used in many traditional dishes throughout the world.

Main

Cafriela de frango

Spicy marinated and grilled chicken

Main

Caldo de chabéu

Stewed palm fruit, made with fish, chicken, meat, vegetables

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Cashew

The cashew tree (anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple accessory fruit. the tree can grow as tall as 14 metres (46 feet), but the dwarf cultivars, growing up to 6 m (20 ft), prove more profitable, with earlier maturity and greater yields. the cashew seed is commonly considered a snack nut (cashew nut) eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. like the tree, the nut is often simply called a cashew. cashew allergies are triggered by the proteins found in tree nuts, and cooking often does not remove or change these proteins.in 2019, four million tonnes of cashew nuts were produced globally, with ivory coast and india as the leading producers. as well as the nut and fruit, the plant has several other uses. the shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications including lubricants, waterproofing, paints, and, starting in world war ii, arms production. the cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit, whose pulp and juice can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or fermented and distilled into liquor.

Drink

Cashew rum

Main

Cashew stew

Stew or sauce with vegetables, meat and cashews

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Cassava

Manihot esculenta, commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names) is a woody shrub of the spurge family, euphorbiaceae, native to south america. although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. though it is often called yuca in parts of spanish america and in the united states, it is not related to yucca, a shrub in the family asparagaceae. cassava is predominantly consumed in boiled form, but substantial quantities are used to extract cassava starch, called tapioca, which is used for food, animal feed, and industrial purposes. the brazilian farinha, and the related garri of west africa, is an edible coarse flour obtained by grating cassava roots, pressing moisture off the obtained grated pulp, and finally drying it (and roasting both in the case of farinha and garri). cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. it is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while thailand is the largest exporter of cassava starch. cassava is classified as either sweet or bitter. like other roots and tubers, both bitter and sweet varieties of cassava contain antinutritional factors and toxins, with the bitter varieties containing much larger amounts. it must be properly prepared before consumption, as improper preparation of cassava can leave enough residual cyanide to cause acute cyanide intoxication, goiters, and even ataxia, partial paralysis, or death. the more toxic varieties of cassava are a fall-back resource (a "food security crop") in times of famine or food insecurity in some places. farmers often prefer the bitter varieties because they deter pests, animals, and thieves.

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Cassava

Manihot esculenta, commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names) is a woody shrub of the spurge family, euphorbiaceae, native to south america. although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. though it is often called yuca in parts of spanish america and in the united states, it is not related to yucca, a shrub in the family asparagaceae. cassava is predominantly consumed in boiled form, but substantial quantities are used to extract cassava starch, called tapioca, which is used for food, animal feed, and industrial purposes. the brazilian farinha, and the related garri of west africa, is an edible coarse flour obtained by grating cassava roots, pressing moisture off the obtained grated pulp, and finally drying it (and roasting both in the case of farinha and garri). cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. it is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while thailand is the largest exporter of cassava starch. cassava is classified as either sweet or bitter. like other roots and tubers, both bitter and sweet varieties of cassava contain antinutritional factors and toxins, with the bitter varieties containing much larger amounts. it must be properly prepared before consumption, as improper preparation of cassava can leave enough residual cyanide to cause acute cyanide intoxication, goiters, and even ataxia, partial paralysis, or death. the more toxic varieties of cassava are a fall-back resource (a "food security crop") in times of famine or food insecurity in some places. farmers often prefer the bitter varieties because they deter pests, animals, and thieves.

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Chili pepper

Chili peppers (also chile, chile pepper, chilli pepper, or chilli), from nahuatl chīlli (nahuatl pronunciation: [ˈt͡ʃiːlːi] (listen)), are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus capsicum, which are members of the nightshade family solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. chili peppers are widely used in many cuisines as a spice to add "heat" to dishes. capsaicin and related compounds known as capsaicinoids are the substances giving chili peppers their intensity when ingested or applied topically. other varieties of capsicum include bell peppers (uk: sweet peppers), but while chili peppers are (to varying degrees) pungent or "spicy", bell peppers are generally not and provide additional sweetness and flavor to a meal rather than “heat.” chili peppers originated in bolivia and were first cultivated in mexico. after the columbian exchange, many cultivars of chili pepper spread around the world, used for both food and traditional medicine. this led to a wide variety of cultivars, including the annuum species, with its glabriusculum variety and new mexico cultivar group, and the species of baccatum, chinense, frutescens, and pubescens. cultivars grown in north america and europe are believed to all derive from capsicum annuum, and have white, yellow, red or purple to black fruits. in 2019, the world's production of raw green chili peppers amounted to 38 million tons, with china producing half.

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Coconut

The coconut tree (cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus cocos. the term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. the name comes from the old portuguese word coco, meaning "head" or "skull", after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. they are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics. the coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. the inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endosperm contains a large quantity of clear liquid, called coconut water or coconut juice. mature, ripe coconuts can be used as edible seeds, or processed for oil and plant milk from the flesh, charcoal from the hard shell, and coir from the fibrous husk. dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking – frying in particular – as well as in soaps and cosmetics. sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. the hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration. the coconut has cultural and religious significance in certain societies, particularly in the western pacific austronesian cultures where it features in their mythologies, songs, and oral traditions. it also had ceremonial importance in pre-colonial animistic religions. it has also acquired religious significance in south asian cultures, where it is used in hindu rituals. it forms the basis of wedding and worship rituals in hinduism. it also plays a central role in the coconut religion of vietnam. the falling of their mature fruit has led to preoccupation with death by coconut.coconuts were first domesticated by the austronesian peoples in island southeast asia and were spread during the neolithic via their seaborne migrations as far east as the pacific islands, and as far west as madagascar and the comoros. they played a critical role in the long sea voyages of austronesians by providing a portable source of food and water, as well as providing building materials for austronesian outrigger boats. coconuts were also later spread in historic times along the coasts of the indian and atlantic oceans by south asian, arab, and european sailors. based on these separate introductions, coconut populations can still be divided into pacific coconuts and indo-atlantic coconuts, respectively. coconuts were introduced by europeans to the americas only during the colonial era in the columbian exchange, but there is evidence of a possible pre-columbian introduction of pacific coconuts to panama by austronesian sailors. the evolutionary origin of the coconut is under dispute, with theories stating that it may have evolved in asia, south america, or on pacific islands. trees grow up to 30 metres (100 feet) tall and can yield up to 75 fruits per year, though fewer than 30 is more typical. plants are intolerant of cold weather and prefer copious precipitation, as well as full sunlight. many insect pests and diseases affect the species and are a nuisance for commercial production. about 75% of the world's supply of coconuts is produced by indonesia, philippines, and india. the coconut tree is the official state tree of kerala, india.

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Djagatu

Red eggplant

Main

Egusi

Egusi soup is a soup prepared with egusi seeds as a primary ingredient. egusi seeds are the fat- and protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous (squash, melon, gourd) plants. egusi soup is common and prevalent across central africa, and may be served atop rice, cooked vegetables, or grilled meat, such as goat, chicken, beef, or fish. it may also be served atop fufu, omelettes, amala, and eba, among other foods. egusi soup is also consumed in west africa, sometimes with chicken.

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Farim salt

Harvested from the cacheu river

Main

Fish

Dried, grilled, stewed

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Fruit

In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering. fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. edible fruits in particular have long propagated using the movements of humans and animals in a symbiotic relationship that is the means for seed dispersal for the one group and nutrition for the other; in fact, humans and many animals have become dependent on fruits as a source of food. consequently, fruits account for a substantial fraction of the world's agricultural output, and some (such as the apple and the pomegranate) have acquired extensive cultural and symbolic meanings. in common language usage, "fruit" normally means the seed-associated fleshy structures (or produce) of plants that typically are sweet or sour and edible in the raw state, such as apples, bananas, grapes, lemons, oranges, and strawberries. in botanical usage, the term "fruit" also includes many structures that are not commonly called "fruits" in everyday language, such as nuts, bean pods, corn kernels, tomatoes, and wheat grains.

Main

Fufu

Fufu (or fufuo, foofoo, foufou) is a dough-like food found in west african cuisine. in addition to ghana, it is also found in sierra leone, guinea, liberia, cote d'ivoire, benin, togo, nigeria, cameroon, the democratic republic of congo, the central african republic, the republic of congo, angola and gabon. it is often made in the traditional ghanaian, ivorian, liberian, and cuban method of separately mixing and pounding equal portions of boiled cassava with green plantain or cocoyam, or by mixing cassava/plantains or cocoyam flour with water and stirring it on a stove. the viscosity is then adjusted based on personal preference and eaten with broth-like soups. some countries, particularly nigeria, have a version of fufu made from fermented cassava dough (called akpu by nigerians) that is eaten with thick textured stews. other flours, such as semolina, maize flour, or mashed plantains may take the place of cassava flour. fufu is eaten with the fingers, and a small ball of it can be dipped into an accompanying soup or sauce.

Main

Grilled prawns

Prawns cooked over a flame

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Guinea peppers

Main

Jollof rice

Jollof (), or jollof rice, is a rice dish from west africa. the dish is typically made with long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, vegetables and meat in a single pot, although its ingredients and preparation methods vary across different regions.

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Mango

A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree mangifera indica which is believed to have originated from the region between northwestern myanmar, bangladesh, and northeastern india. m. indica has been cultivated in south and southeast asia since ancient times resulting in two types of modern mango cultivars: the "indian type" and the "southeast asian type". other species in the genus mangifera also produce edible fruits that are also called "mangoes", the majority of which are found in the malesian ecoregion.worldwide, there are several hundred cultivars of mango. depending on the cultivar, mango fruit varies in size, shape, sweetness, skin color, and flesh color which may be pale yellow, gold, green, or orange. mango is the national fruit of india, pakistan and the philippines, while the mango tree is the national tree of bangladesh.

Drink

Milk

Milk is a nutrient-rich liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. it is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals (including breastfed human infants) before they are able to digest solid food. immune factors and immune-modulating components in milk contribute to milk immunity. early-lactation milk, which is called colostrum, contains antibodies that strengthen the immune system, and thus reduces the risk of many diseases. milk contains many nutrients, including protein and lactose.the us cdc recommends that children over the age of 12 months should have two servings of dairy milk products a day.as an agricultural product, dairy milk is collected from farm animals. in 2011, dairy farms produced around 730 million tonnes (800 million short tons) of milk from 260 million dairy cows. india is the world's largest producer of milk and the leading exporter of skimmed milk powder, but it exports few other milk products. because there is an ever-increasing demand for dairy products within india, it could eventually become a net importer of dairy products. new zealand, germany and the netherlands are the largest exporters of milk products.more than six billion people worldwide consume milk and milk products, and between 750 and 900 million people live in dairy-farming households.

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Millet couscous

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Niebe

The black-eyed pea or black-eyed bean is a legume grown around the world for its medium-sized, edible bean. it is a subspecies of the cowpea, an old world plant domesticated in africa, and is sometimes simply called a cowpea. the common commercial variety is called the california blackeye; it is pale-colored with a prominent black spot. the american south has countless varieties, many of them heirloom, that vary in size from the small lady peas to very large ones. the color of the eye may be black, brown, red, pink, or green. all the peas are green when freshly shelled and brown or buff when dried. a popular variation of the black-eyed pea is the purple hull pea or mud-in-your-eye pea; it is usually green with a prominent purple or pink spot. the currently accepted botanical name for the black-eyed pea is vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata, although previously it was classified in the genus phaseolus. vigna unguiculata subsp. dekindtiana is the wild relative and vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis is the related asparagus bean. other beans of somewhat similar appearance, such as the frijol ojo de cabra (goat's-eye bean) of northern mexico, are sometimes incorrectly called black-eyed peas, and vice versa.

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Nuts

A nut is a fruit consisting of a hard or tough nutshell protecting a kernel which is usually edible. in general usage and in a culinary sense, a wide variety of dry seeds are called nuts, but in a botanical context "nut" implies that the shell does not open to release the seed (indehiscent). most seeds come from fruits that naturally free themselves from the shell, but this is not the case in nuts such as hazelnuts, chestnuts, and acorns, which have hard shell walls and originate from a compound ovary. the general and original usage of the term is less restrictive, and many nuts (in the culinary sense), such as almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and brazil nuts, are not nuts in a botanical sense. common usage of the term often refers to any hard-walled, edible kernel as a nut. nuts are an energy-dense and nutrient-rich food source.

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Okra

Okra or okro (us: , uk: ), abelmoschus esculentus, known in many english-speaking countries as ladies' fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. it has edible green seed pods. the geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of west african, ethiopian, southeast asian, and south asian origins. the plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world and is a notable part of the cuisine of the southern united states as well as middle eastern cuisine, indian cuisine, brazilian cuisine and sri lankan cuisine.

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Olives

The olive, botanical name olea europaea, meaning 'european olive' in latin, is a species of small tree or shrub in the family oleaceae, found traditionally in the mediterranean basin. when in shrub form, it is known as olea europaea 'montra', dwarf olive, or little olive. the species is cultivated in all the countries of the mediterranean, as well as in australia, new zealand, north and south america and south africa. olea europaea is the type species for the genus olea. the olive's fruit, also called an "olive", is of major agricultural importance in the mediterranean region as the source of olive oil; it is one of the core ingredients in mediterranean cuisine. the tree and its fruit give their name to the plant family, which also includes species such as lilac, jasmine, forsythia, and the true ash tree. hundreds of cultivars of the olive tree are known. olive cultivars may be used primarily for oil, eating, or both. olives cultivated for consumption are generally referred to as "table olives". about 90% of all harvested olives are turned into oil, while about 10% are used as table olives.

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Onion

The onion (allium cepa l., from latin cepa meaning "onion"), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus allium. the shallot is a botanical variety of the onion which was classified as a separate species until 2010.: 21  its close relatives include garlic, scallion, leek, and chive.this genus also contains several other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the japanese bunching onion (allium fistulosum), the tree onion (a. × proliferum), and the canada onion (allium canadense). the name wild onion is applied to a number of allium species, but a. cepa is exclusively known from cultivation. its ancestral wild original form is not known, although escapes from cultivation have become established in some regions. the onion is most frequently a biennial or a perennial plant, but is usually treated as an annual and harvested in its first growing season. the onion plant has a fan of hollow, bluish-green leaves and its bulb at the base of the plant begins to swell when a certain day-length is reached. the bulbs are composed of shortened, compressed, underground stems surrounded by fleshy modified scale (leaves) that envelop a central bud at the tip of the stem. in the autumn (or in spring, in the case of overwintering onions), the foliage dies down and the outer layers of the bulb become more dry and brittle. the crop is harvested and dried and the onions are ready for use or storage. the crop is prone to attack by a number of pests and diseases, particularly the onion fly, the onion eelworm, and various fungi which can cause rotting. some varieties of a. cepa, such as shallots and potato onions, produce multiple bulbs. onions are cultivated and used around the world. as a food item, they are usually served cooked, as a vegetable or part of a prepared savoury dish, but can also be eaten raw or used to make pickles or chutneys. they are pungent when chopped and contain certain chemical substances which may irritate the eyes.

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Palm nuts

Elaeis (from greek 'oil') is a genus of palms containing two species, called oil palms. they are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. the african oil palm elaeis guineensis (the species name guineensis referring to its country of origin) is the principal source of palm oil. it is native to west and southwest africa, occurring between angola and gambia. the american oil palm elaeis oleifera (from latin oleifer 'oil-producing') is native to tropical central and south america, and is used locally for oil production.

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Palm oil

Elaeis (from greek 'oil') is a genus of palms containing two species, called oil palms. they are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. the african oil palm elaeis guineensis (the species name guineensis referring to its country of origin) is the principal source of palm oil. it is native to west and southwest africa, occurring between angola and gambia. the american oil palm elaeis oleifera (from latin oleifer 'oil-producing') is native to tropical central and south america, and is used locally for oil production.

Drink

Palm wine

Palm wine, known by several local names, is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. it is known by various names in different regions and is common in various parts of africa, the caribbean, south america, south asia, southeast asia and micronesia. palm wine production by smallholders and individual farmers may promote conservation as palm trees become a source of regular household income that may economically be worth more than the value of timber sold.

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Peanuts

The peanut (arachis hypogaea) also known as the groundnut, goober (us), pindar (us) or monkey nut (uk), is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds. it is widely grown in the tropics and subtropics, being important to both small and large commercial producers. it is classified as both a grain legume and, due to its high oil content, an oil crop. world annual production of shelled peanuts was 44 million tonnes in 2016, led by china with 38% of the world total. atypically among legume crop plants, peanut pods develop underground (geocarpy) rather than above ground. with this characteristic in mind, the botanist carl linnaeus gave peanuts the specific epithet hypogaea, which means "under the earth". the peanut belongs to the botanical family fabaceae (or leguminosae), commonly known as the legume, bean, or pea family. like most other legumes, peanuts harbor symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules. the capacity to fix nitrogen means peanuts require less nitrogen-containing fertilizer and improve soil fertility, making them valuable in crop rotations. peanuts are similar in taste and nutritional profile to tree nuts such as walnuts and almonds, and, as a culinary nut, are often served in similar ways in western cuisines. the botanical definition of a nut is "a fruit whose ovary wall becomes hard at maturity". using this criterion, the peanut is not a nut. however, peanuts are usually categorized as nuts for culinary purposes and in common english more generally.

Main

Peanut sauce

Peanut stew or groundnut stew, also called as maafe (wolof, mafé, maffé, maffe), sauce d'arachide (french), tigadèguèna or domoda, is a stew that is a staple food in western africa. it originates from the mandinka and bambara people of mali.the proper name for it in the mandinka language is domodah or tigadegena (lit. 'peanut butter sauce,' where tige is 'peanut,' dege is 'paste,' and na is 'sauce') in bamanankan.domodah is also used by gambians, having been borrowed from the mandinka language. in senegal domodah or domoda referts to flour-thickened soup or stew, which is different from mafe that uses peanut paste. it is a favorite dish among several senegal and gambia ethnic groups. with the huge expansion of groundnut cultivation during the colonial period, maafe has also become a popular dish across west africa, even outside west africa such as in cameroon and france. variants of the dish appear in the cuisine of nations throughout west africa and central africa. it is very similar to groundnut soup. it may have a thicker consistency. made from lamb, beef, chicken, or without meat, maafe is cooked with a sauce based on groundnuts, especially peanut butter/paste, and tomatoes. in ghana, groundnut stew is often accompanied with fufu.

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Plantain

Cooking bananas are banana cultivars in the genus musa whose fruits are generally used in cooking. they may be eaten ripe or unripe and are generally starchy. many cooking bananas are referred to as plantains (/ˈplæntɪn/, us: /plænˈteɪn/, uk: /ˈplɑːntɪn/) or green bananas. in botanical usage, the term "plantain" is used only for true plantains, while other starchy cultivars used for cooking are called "cooking bananas". true plantains are cultivars belonging to the aab group, while cooking bananas are any cultivars belonging to aab, aaa, abb, or bbb groups. the currently accepted scientific name for all such cultivars in these groups is musa × paradisiaca. fe'i bananas (musa × troglodytarum) from the pacific islands are often eaten roasted or boiled, and are thus informally referred to as "mountain plantains," but they do not belong to any of the species from which all modern banana cultivars are descended.cooking bananas are a major food staple in west and central africa, the caribbean islands, central america, and northern south america. members of the genus musa are indigenous to the tropical regions of southeast asia and oceania. bananas fruit all year round, making them a reliable all-season staple food.cooking bananas are treated as a starchy fruit with a relatively neutral flavor and soft texture when cooked. cooking bananas may be eaten raw, however they are most commonly prepared either fried, boiled, or processed into flour or dough.

Main

Prawn

Prawn is a common name for small aquatic crustaceans with an exoskeleton and ten legs (which is a member of the order decapoda), some of which can be eaten.the term "prawn" is used particularly in the united kingdom, ireland, and commonwealth nations, for large swimming crustaceans or shrimp, especially those with commercial significance in the fishing industry. shrimp that are present in this category often belong to the suborder dendrobranchiata. in north america, the term is used less frequently, typically for freshwater shrimp. the terms shrimp and prawn themselves lack scientific standing. over the years, the way they are used has changed, and in contemporary usage the terms are almost interchangeable.

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Quiabo

Okra or okro (us: , uk: ), abelmoschus esculentus, known in many english-speaking countries as ladies' fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. it has edible green seed pods. the geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of west african, ethiopian, southeast asian, and south asian origins. the plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world and is a notable part of the cuisine of the southern united states as well as middle eastern cuisine, indian cuisine, brazilian cuisine and sri lankan cuisine.

Dessert, Sweet

Raivas

Cinnamon butter cookies

Main

Rice

Rice is the seed of the grass species oryza sativa (asian rice) or less commonly oryza glaberrima (african rice). the name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera zizania and porteresia, both wild and domesticated, although the term may also be used for primitive or uncultivated varieties of oryza. as a cereal grain, domesticated rice is the most widely consumed staple food for over half of the world's human population, especially in asia and africa. it is the agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production, after sugarcane and maize. since sizable portions of sugarcane and maize crops are used for purposes other than human consumption, rice is the most important food crop with regard to human nutrition and caloric intake, providing more than one-fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by humans. there are many varieties of rice and culinary preferences tend to vary regionally. the traditional method for cultivating rice is flooding the fields while, or after, setting the young seedlings. this simple method requires sound irrigation planning but reduces the growth of less robust weed and pest plants that have no submerged growth state, and deters vermin. while flooding is not mandatory for the cultivation of rice, all other methods of irrigation require higher effort in weed and pest control during growth periods and a different approach for fertilizing the soil. rice, a monocot, is normally grown as an annual plant, although in tropical areas it can survive as a perennial and can produce a ratoon crop for up to 30 years. rice cultivation is well-suited to countries and regions with low labor costs and high rainfall, as it is labor-intensive to cultivate and requires ample water. however, rice can be grown practically anywhere, even on a steep hill or mountain area with the use of water-controlling terrace systems. although its parent species are native to asia and certain parts of africa, centuries of trade and exportation have made it commonplace in many cultures worldwide. production and consumption of rice is estimated to have been responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.

Drink

Rum

Rum is a liquor made by fermenting and then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. the distillate, a clear liquid, is usually aged in oak barrels. rum is produced in nearly every sugar-producing region of the world, such as the philippines, where tanduay is the largest producer of rum globally.rums are produced in various grades. light rums are commonly used in cocktails, whereas "golden" and "dark" rums were typically consumed straight or neat, iced ("on the rocks"), or used for cooking, but are now commonly consumed with mixers. premium rums are made to be consumed either straight or iced. rum plays a part in the culture of most islands of the west indies as well as the maritime provinces and newfoundland, in canada. the beverage has famous associations with the royal navy (where it was mixed with water or beer to make grog) and piracy (where it was consumed as bumbo). rum has also served as a popular medium of economic exchange, used to help fund enterprises such as slavery (see triangular trade), organized crime, and military insurgencies (e.g., the american revolution and australia's rum rebellion).

Main

Sauce gombo

Stewed meat, seafood, okra

Main

Seafood

Seafood is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans, prominently including fish and shellfish. shellfish include various species of molluscs (e.g. bivalve molluscs such as clams, oysters and mussels, and cephalopods such as octopus and squid), crustaceans (e.g. shrimp, crabs, and lobster), and echinoderms (e.g. sea cucumbers and sea urchins). historically, marine mammals such as cetaceans (whales and dolphins) as well as seals have been eaten as food, though that happens to a lesser extent in modern times. edible sea plants such as some seaweeds and microalgae are widely eaten as sea vegetables around the world, especially in asia. seafood is an important source of (animal) protein in many diets around the world, especially in coastal areas. semi-vegetarians who consume seafood as the only source of meat are said to adhere to pescetarianism. the harvesting of wild seafood is usually known as fishing or hunting, while the cultivation and farming of seafood is known as aquaculture and fish farming (in the case of fish). most of the seafood harvest is consumed by humans, but a significant proportion is used as fish food to farm other fish or rear farm animals. some seafoods (i.e. kelp) are used as food for other plants (a fertilizer). in these ways, seafoods are used to produce further food for human consumption. also, products such as fish oil and spirulina tablets are extracted from seafoods. some seafood is fed to aquarium fish, or used to feed domestic pets such as cats. a small proportion is used in medicine, or is used industrially for nonfood purposes (e.g. leather).

Main

Seafood stew

Stewed shrimp, fish, seafood

Main

Shellfish

Shellfish is a colloquial and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some are found in freshwater. in addition, a few species of land crabs are eaten, for example cardisoma guanhumi in the caribbean. shellfish are among the most common food allergens.despite the name, shellfish are not fish. most shellfish are low on the food chain and eat a diet composed primarily of phytoplankton and zooplankton. many varieties of shellfish, and crustaceans in particular, are actually closely related to insects and arachnids; crustaceans make up one of the main subphyla of the phylum arthropoda. molluscs include cephalopods (squids, octopuses, cuttlefish) and bivalves (clams, oysters), as well as gastropods (aquatic species such as whelks and winkles; land species such as snails and slugs). molluscs used as a food source by humans include many species of clams, mussels, oysters, winkles, and scallops. some crustaceans that are commonly eaten are shrimp, lobsters, crayfish, crabs and barnacles. echinoderms are not as frequently harvested for food as molluscs and crustaceans; however, sea urchin roe is quite popular in many parts of the world, where the live delicacy is harder to transport.though some shellfish harvesting has been unsustainable, and shrimp farming has been destructive in some parts of the world, shellfish farming can be important to environmental restoration, by developing reefs, filtering water and eating biomass.

Main

Stewed fish

Main

Stewed greens

Stewed cassava leaves, niebe (black-eyed pea leaves), kale, malakwang, blackjack, goosefoot, marogo, pigweed, purslane, thistle, sweet potato leaves, malanga, pumpkin leaves, njama njama, spinach

Main

Stewed meat

A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables and may include meat, especially tougher meats suitable for slow-cooking, such as beef, pork, lamb, poultry, sausages, and seafood. while water can be used as the stew-cooking liquid, stock is also common. a small amount of red wine is sometimes added for flavour. seasoning and flavourings may also be added. stews are typically cooked at a relatively low temperature (simmered, not boiled), allowing flavours to mingle. stewing is suitable for the least tender cuts of meat that become tender and juicy with the slow moist heat method. this makes it popular in low-cost cooking. cuts having a certain amount of marbling and gelatinous connective tissue give moist, juicy stews, while lean meat may easily become dry. stews are thickened by reduction or with flour, either by coating pieces of meat with flour before searing, or by using a roux or beurre manié, a dough consisting of equal parts of fat and flour. thickeners like cornstarch, potato starch, or arrowroot may also be used. stews are similar to soups, and in some cases there may not be a clear distinction between the two. generally, stews have less liquid than soups, are much thicker and require longer cooking over low heat. while soups are almost always served in a bowl, stews may be thick enough to be served on a plate with the gravy as a sauce over the solid ingredients.

Main

Stewed vegetables

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Sweet potato

The sweet potato or sweetpotato (ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, convolvulaceae. its large, starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots are used as a root vegetable. the young shoots and leaves are sometimes eaten as greens. cultivars of the sweet potato have been bred to bear tubers with flesh and skin of various colors. sweet potato is only distantly related to the common potato (solanum tuberosum), both being in the order solanales. although darker sweet potatoes are often referred to as "yams" in parts of north america, the species is not a true yam, which are monocots in the order dioscoreales.sweet potato is native to the tropical regions of the americas. of the approximately 50 genera and more than 1,000 species of convolvulaceae, i. batatas is the only crop plant of major importance—some others are used locally (e.g., i. aquatica "kangkong"), but many are poisonous. the genus ipomoea that contains the sweet potato also includes several garden flowers called morning glories, though that term is not usually extended to i. batatas. some cultivars of i. batatas are grown as ornamental plants under the name tuberous morning glory, and used in a horticultural context.

Drink

Tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to china, india and other east asian countries. tea is also rarely made from the leaves of camellia taliensis. after water, it is the most widely consumed drink in the world. there are many different types of tea; some have a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour, while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floral, or grassy notes. tea has a stimulating effect in humans primarily due to its caffeine content.tea plants are native to east asia and probably originated in the borderlands of southwestern china and northern burma. an early credible record of tea drinking dates to the third century ad, in a medical text written by hua tuo. it was popularised as a recreational drink during the chinese tang dynasty, and tea drinking subsequently spread to other east asian countries. portuguese priests and merchants introduced it to europe during the 16th century. during the 17th century, drinking tea became fashionable among the english, who started to plant tea on a large scale in india. the term herbal tea refers to drinks not made from camellia sinensis. they are the infusions of fruit, leaves, or other plant parts, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. these may be called tisanes or herbal infusions to prevent confusion with "tea" made from the tea plant.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Tomatoes

The tomato is the edible berry of the plant solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as the tomato plant. the species originated in western south america, mexico, and central america. the mexican nahuatl word tomatl gave rise to the spanish word tomate, from which the english word tomato derived. its domestication and use as a cultivated food may have originated with the indigenous peoples of mexico. the aztecs used tomatoes in their cooking at the time of the spanish conquest of the aztec empire, and after the spanish encountered the tomato for the first time after their contact with the aztecs, they brought the plant to europe, in a widespread transfer of plants known as the columbian exchange. from there, the tomato was introduced to other parts of the european-colonized world during the 16th century.tomatoes are a significant source of umami flavor. they are consumed in diverse ways: raw or cooked, and in many dishes, sauces, salads, and drinks. while tomatoes are fruits—botanically classified as berries—they are commonly used culinarily as a vegetable ingredient or side dish.numerous varieties of the tomato plant are widely grown in temperate climates across the world, with greenhouses allowing for the production of tomatoes throughout all seasons of the year. tomato plants typically grow to 1–3 meters (3–10 ft) in height. they are vines that have a weak stem that sprawls and typically needs support. indeterminate tomato plants are perennials in their native habitat, but are cultivated as annuals. (determinate, or bush, plants are annuals that stop growing at a certain height and produce a crop all at once.) the size of the tomato varies according to the cultivar, with a range of 1–10 cm (1⁄2–4 in) in width.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Yam

Yam is the common name for some plant species in the genus dioscorea (family dioscoreaceae) that form edible tubers. yams are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in many temperate and tropical regions, especially in west africa, south america and the caribbean, asia, and oceania. the tubers themselves, also called "yams", come in a variety of forms owing to numerous cultivars and related species.yams were independently domesticated on three different continents: africa (dioscorea rotundata), asia (dioscorea alata), and the americas (dioscorea trifida).

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