Cooking as a Family

Food is an integral part of African culture, often serving as a gateway to learning about history, traditions, and family values. Meals in African households are more than just nourishment—they are a reflection of community, togetherness, and storytelling. Preparing and sharing African dishes with your children is a wonderful way to not only enjoy delicious food but also to teach them about their heritage, fostering a deeper connection to their cultural roots.

Cooking together as a family allows children to be hands-on in the kitchen, while also learning about the significance of food in African societies. Each dish tells a story—whether it's a recipe passed down through generations or a traditional meal enjoyed during celebrations. Here’s how you can turn cooking African meals into an opportunity to share cultural stories and instill pride in your children.

1. Jollof Rice: A West African Favorite

Jollof rice is one of West Africa’s most beloved dishes. Known for its vibrant color and rich flavor, it is often served at celebrations, weddings, and family gatherings. Each country in West Africa has its own variation of Jollof, and the preparation method often involves telling stories about family traditions, special occasions, and regional differences.

How to Cook Together:

• Ingredients: Long-grain parboiled rice, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, chicken, or vegetables (optional), stock cubes, oil, and spices (such as thyme, curry powder, and bay leaves).
• Steps: Start by having your child help you chop vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and peppers (or use a food processor to make it easier). As you cook, share with them the importance of Jollof rice in African culture, especially in West African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Talk about how it’s often served with fried plantains, grilled meat, or vegetables during major events and family gatherings.
• Storytelling: Explain how every family has its own "secret" Jollof recipe and how food can be a reflection of cultural pride and identity. Encourage your child to think about what special occasions they would cook this meal for in their own lives.

Why It’s Fun: Jollof rice is a dish full of flavor and color, making it visually appealing and delicious for children. It’s also a great way to introduce them to the richness of African culinary traditions.

2. Fried Plantains: A Sweet and Savory Snack

Plantains are a staple in many African households, especially in West and Central Africa. They can be fried, boiled, or mashed, and are often served as a side dish, snack, or dessert. Fried plantains, in particular, are popular due to their sweet and savory flavor.

How to Cook Together:

• Ingredients: Ripe plantains, oil, and salt (optional).
• Steps: Have your child peel the plantains and slice them into thin rounds. Heat oil in a frying pan and allow your child to carefully place the slices into the oil. As the plantains fry, share the story behind this dish—how it’s enjoyed across Africa and how different regions prepare plantains in their own unique ways.
• Storytelling: Talk about how plantains are often used to accompany meals like Jollof rice or stews, and how they’re an important part of family meals and street food culture in African cities. You can also discuss the differences between plantains and bananas, explaining how plantains are more starchy and used in savory dishes.

Why It’s Fun: The process of frying plantains is easy, and kids will enjoy watching them turn golden brown and crispy. Plus, the sweet, tender bites make it a dish that children of all ages will love.

3. Puff-Puff: A Sweet African Treat

Puff-puff is a popular West African snack, often enjoyed at celebrations, parties, and family gatherings. These small, fluffy fried dough balls are sweet, soft, and comforting—perfect for sharing with family and friends. Preparing puff-puff with your children is a great way to teach them about African baking traditions.

How to Cook Together:

• Ingredients: All-purpose flour, sugar, yeast, water, salt, and oil for frying.
• Steps: Mix the ingredients to form a dough and let it rise. While the dough is resting, share the history of puff-puff—how it’s often made during festive occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. Once the dough is ready, have your child shape the puff-puff balls and fry them until golden and fluffy.
• Storytelling: Explain how puff-puff is a beloved treat in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, and how it’s often served with soft drinks or enjoyed as an afternoon snack. Talk about how cooking together brings families closer and how certain dishes, like puff-puff, are used to celebrate community and joy.

Why It’s Fun: Puff-puff is a simple but delicious dish that allows kids to actively participate in each step. From mixing the dough to shaping the balls, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to get involved and feel proud of their creation.

4. Ugali: A Symbol of Unity and Nourishment

Ugali, a dish made from maize flour and water, is a staple in East Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is often served with vegetable stews, fish, or meat. Ugali is a symbol of sustenance, community, and togetherness, making it a great dish to share as a family.

How to Cook Together:

• Ingredients: Maize flour (cornmeal), water, and a pinch of salt.
• Steps: Bring water to a boil in a pot, then gradually add the maize flour while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. As the mixture thickens, allow your child to help you stir until it forms a firm, dough-like consistency. Ugali is traditionally served with your favorite vegetable or meat stew, so get creative with the sides you pair it with.
• Storytelling: As you cook, explain how Ugali is often seen as a unifying food, bringing people together at the table. Talk about how it’s traditionally shared among families in large portions, with everyone eating from the same dish. Share how different regions and countries have their own variations of Ugali, often with local ingredients like sorghum or millet.

Why It’s Fun: Ugali is easy to prepare and offers a hands-on experience for children as they stir and shape the dish. It also teaches them about the importance of food as a symbol of community and shared values.

5. Moroccan Couscous: A Flavorful North African Delight

Couscous is a popular dish in North Africa, particularly in countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Made from steamed semolina wheat, couscous is often served as a base for flavorful stews and vegetables. It’s a dish full of aromatic spices, providing an opportunity to introduce children to the rich flavors of North African cuisine.

How to Cook Together:

• Ingredients: Couscous, olive oil, vegetables (carrots, zucchini, etc.), chickpeas, raisins, cinnamon, and cumin.
• Steps: Start by preparing the couscous according to the package instructions. While the couscous is steaming, have your child help you chop vegetables and sauté them with the spices, such as cinnamon and cumin. Once everything is ready, combine the couscous with the vegetable stew, adding raisins for a touch of sweetness.
• Storytelling: Discuss how couscous is a mainstay in Moroccan cuisine and is often prepared for special family meals. Talk about how couscous is traditionally served in large communal dishes, with everyone gathering around to share. You can also share the importance of spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon, which are commonly used in North African dishes.

Why It’s Fun: Moroccan couscous offers a delightful mix of savory and sweet flavors, making it an exciting dish for kids to explore. The process of layering spices and vegetables also provides an opportunity to teach them about the different flavors that define African cuisine.

Cooking African meals together is a meaningful and fun way to connect with your cultural heritage while teaching your children important lessons about community, tradition, and storytelling. Each dish carries a unique story—whether it’s the celebration of family, the sharing of food, or the importance of community—and cooking as a family creates an opportunity for these stories to be passed down to the next generation. From Jollof rice and fried plantains to puff-puff and Ugali, these simple African recipes provide a wonderful foundation for children to learn, explore, and celebrate their African roots at the family table.

About the Authors

Ire Ayatunji