This dish is vegetarian, vegan and vibrant. Coconut and spinach are a regular duo in many African dishes because the green picks up the flavor so well. The chickpeas give a nice chunky texture, plus protein and fiber. Then there’s the quinoa (you can use brown rice or millet if you prefer) that adds a real heartiness to the soup. Find the recipe here.
Sweet Potato is chock full of fiber and nutrients, and the soft, mushy starch contrasts well with the crunchy nuts in this recipe. This recipe marries sweet and savory flavors perfectly with cinnamon, ginger and brown sugar, along with onions, garlic and bell peppers. It’s a nutritious, warming dish. Find the recipe here.
Impress guests with this unique side dish. Fluffy, mild-flavored couscous picks up flavors of whatever you mix it with, and that’s especially true with sweet ingredients like the dried fruit and mint in this recipe. It also contains quorn — a mycoprotein meat substitute popular in the U.K. that is extracted from a mushroom-like fungus — so there is some protein in here. Find the recipe here.
Bobotie is a traditional South African dish. It’s a sweet and savory casserole-like dish with meat and fruit but you can make a vegetarian variety and still get the delicious flavors and satisfying crust. Here’s an easy recipe for tofu bobotie that retains all the classic ingredients like fruit chutney, raisins, almonds and several African spices. See the recipe here.
If you love chili in a bread bowl you’ll gobble up this comforting food. Bunny chow is usually a street food in several parts of Africa and can be stuffed with anything. In this recipe, it’s filled with a delicious chickpea filling with a sweet and spicy flavor from cinnamon, garam masala, cumin, cayenne and other spices. Find the recipe here.
We found this little breakfast and snack gem on a website for traditional South African recipes. It’s so easy to make and has unique ingredients like baby marrow (don’t worry: that’s a type of zucchini) and butternut squash. We love that the veggies are left chunky, giving the muffins an incredible texture. You won’t be able to eat just one! Find the recipe here.
Combining the sweetness of peanuts and the punch of several African spices is typical in many African dishes. We love this hearty soup that could serve as a meal in itself, or an accompaniment to other dishes on this list. Ginger adds great freshness to the flavor, and the cool, mild-flavored bean sprouts are the perfect topping. Find the recipe here.
This stew is so chunky that you won’t miss the meat. We love all of the colors from the bell peppers to okra and potatoes. It’s mostly mild with a small kick from the cayenne, so you can serve it to picky eaters. The peanut butter gives it a wonderful creaminess. This is the perfect winter dish. Find the recipe here.
You knew curry would be on here! And Africa is known for its red curry. The tofu picks up the beautiful color of the curry, and the white rice and cool side salad are the perfect accompaniments. We love the dried apricots and raisins that give the dish a surprising sweetness. Find the recipe here.
Usually when you think stuffed squash, you think ground meat. But we love this vegan version with a nutty, chickpea filling. The crunch of the nuts is delicious inside the soft, cooked squash. Squash always tastes great with sweet toppings, so we love the cinnamon and fruit in this recipe. Find the recipe here.
