International Cuisine

Exploring the world through food.

Chips d’Igname (Yam Chips)

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Yam Chips are a traditional Burkinabe recipe which is both easy and delicious. Yes, I know they are deep fried, but yams are good for you right?

They are the best when eaten freshly salted and just out of the fryer, Yum!

A picture of crunchy fried yam chips Yams are a common in Burkina Faso cuisine.  There food is influenced by the French who colonized them.  In fact the official language of Burkina Faso is French.  If you would like to learn more about this African country be sure to read “Our Journey to Burkina Faso“.  You can also get some other great recipe from like Cuisses de Poulet a la Puree de Patates Douces  a great chicken dish served with mashed sweet potatoes and french green beans.

Craving more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing.  It’s free and you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

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5 from 2 votes

Chips d’Igname (Yam Chips)

A Burkina Faso deep fried treat that is simply yummy fresh out of the fryer!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Burkina Faso
Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 123kcal
Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 1 large yam
  • Oil for deep frying
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Peel and wash the yam, cut in half
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add in the yam. Blanch for a few minutes.
  • Drain and allow to cool, then refrigerate for a couple of hours.
  • Heat oil in a deep fryer or frying pan to 350 degrees
  • While the oil is heating up, grate the yam.
  • Drop in the yam shavings by the handful.
  • Deep fry until golden and crispy
  • Remove with a slotted spoon
  • Drain on paper towel
  • Season with salt and serve immediately.

Notes

Please note that the cooling time is listed in the cooking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 856mg | Fiber: 4g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.6mg

 

Cuisses de Poulet a la Puree de Patates Douces (Chicken Thighs with Mashed Sweet Potatoes)

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This traditional Burkina Faso main dish recipe is  made with chicken thighs in a delicious coconut milk sauce flavored with peanut butter and tomato puree. It is a lovely main dish.  Served with simply mashed sweet potatoes, the result is a moist, tender and delicious meal. Serve also with some Burkina Faso French beans. Awesome!

A picture of chicken thighs being drizzled with a creamy peanut sauce and served with mashed sweet potatoes.Did you know that Burkina Faso was colonized by the French who named the country Upper Volta?  French is also the official language. If you would like to learn more about this African country be sure to check out “Our journey to Burkina Faso”  Also be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing.

Craving more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing.  It’s free and you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

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5 from 2 votes

Cuisses de Poulet a la Puree de Patates Douces (Chicken Thighs with Mashed Sweet Potatoes)

A creamy and very flavorful sauce is poured over the perfectly cooked chicken thighs.  Serve it with some mashed sweet potatoes for a real treat!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Burkina Faso
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 756kcal
Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs skinless and deboned
  • 4 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon tomato puree
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely grated
  • 1 small hot chili cut the long way
  • 1 lime juice of
  • 3 lbs. sweet potatoes peeled and diced
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • In a frying pan with a lid, brown the chicken thighs, if necessary add a little oil to brown.
  • When they are nicely browned add in 1 cup of water, the ginger, and chili season with salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer cover and cook for 15 minutes
  • Bring a sauce pan of salted water to a boil and add in the sweet potatoes, cook for 20 minutes or until tender.
  • When the chicken thighs have cooked for 15 minutes, dilute the peanut butter and tomato paste in the coconut milk. Stir in the lime juice and add this to the chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. If necessary you can add water to dilute the sauce, and season with salt to taste.
  • Drain the sweet potatoes and mash them with a potato masher or fork, season with salt to taste.
  • To plate, put the mashed sweet potatoes on a platter and surround it with the chicken, serve with extra sauce.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 756kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 357mg | Potassium: 1677mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 48480IU | Vitamin C: 30.2mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 5.3mg

 

Burkina Faso French Green Beans

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This Burkina Faso French  green beans recipe makes a  lovely side dish and cooks up in a jiffy.   The onions combined with the French beans adds great flavor along with a chopped hot chili.  It is also seasoned with a little ginger and garlic.

Serve Burkina Faso French green beans as a side for any meal, but we really enjoyed it with the chicken thighs and mashed sweet potatoes for a perfect Burkinabe meal.

A picture of a bow Burkina Faso French Green Bea with onions and chili. The French colonized Burkina Faso which is why French style green beans are popular.  French is also the official language. If you would like to learn more about Burkina Faso be sure to check out “Our Journey to Burkina Faso” to learn more about this African country and its history.

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4.34 from 6 votes

Burkina Faso French Green Beans

French style green beans with onions and flavored with garlic, ginger and chilies makes for a lovely side dish , you should try it!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Burkina Faso
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 77kcal
Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. fresh French green beans cut on the diagonal
  • ½ white onion sliced thinly
  • 1 red chili pepper minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger freshly grated
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • In a frying pan cook the white onion in the oil until translucent
  • Add in the remaining ingredients and cook until the beans are tender.
  • Season with salt to taste, and serve

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 890IU | Vitamin C: 31.3mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1.3mg

 

Banfora (Fried Pastry with Pineapple)

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Banfora  is what this easy to make recipe loved in Burkina Faso is called. Banfora welsh cakes are reminiscent of a very light puffed pancake, with bits of sweetness in every bite, both from the pineapple and the cinnamon and sugar topping. This would be delicious for breakfast too.

freshly baked banfora. Little puffed pancake like desserts sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

Banfora must get its name from the city Banfora in Burkina Faso.  It is located in the south western region of the country.  It is known for its spectacular rock formations and cascading waterfalls.  Burkina Faso has suffered as many of it’s neighbors from severe drought and government corruption and military coups.  We can only hope that Burkina Faso which means “Land of honest men” will find a leader to properly care for them.

Finding recipes to represent Burkina Faso was not easy and I am not sure why these welsh cakes are a popular dessert there.  They are however very easy to make and I absolutely love the bits of pineapple in them.  Truly a sweet treat that would be lovely with tea, dessert or even breakfast.

If you like this recipe and post, be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey so you don’t miss a thing and also follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for the very latest.

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4.84 from 6 votes

Banfora (Fried Pastry with Pineapple)

Course Dessert
Cuisine Burkina Faso
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 603kcal
Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 2. 1/2 cups self raising flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped pineapple
  • 1 egg beaten
  • A couple tablespoons milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cinnamon and sugar mixture to sprinkle on top

Instructions

  • Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl
  • Cut the butter into the mixture then rub with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.
  • Add in the sugar and pineapple and then stir in the beaten egg.
  • Mix to a stiff dough add in a little milk if it is too stiff.
  • Tip onto a floured surface and knead lightly before rolling out to a round disk about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Cut the dough into 4-5 inch rounds, then fry on a lightly oiled griddle pan, over medium low heat until golden brown on both sides.
  • Cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture
  • Serve

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 603kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 770IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.9mg

 

Hibiscus Flower Drink (Bissap du Burkina Faso)

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This hibiscus flower drink is called bissap du Burkina Faso.  This delicious drink is perfect for a warm day, made with dried hibiscus flower which makes for a richly colored drink and its nutritious too!

Here are some awesome things you may want to know about the dried hibiscus flower that is consumed in many places in the world.

 

Hibiscus flower Drink a pticher and glass filled with ice and the ruby red drink surrounded by dried hibiscus flowersThe hibiscus scientific name is Hibiscus sabdariffa.  The flower is used as a medicinal tea in many parts of the world.  It has all sorts of health benefits that is just an added bonus as the drink is delicious.  When you make the tea it comes out a ruby red color, it is somewhat sour similar to cranberry which is why sugar is typically added but certainly there are many other more healthful options for sweetness.

It has all sorts of health benefits according to several different studies but one done in 2008 by the American Heart Association list several of them.

  • It is caffeine free
  • It helps to lower blood pressure with people who suffer from hypertension.
  • It helps lower the bad cholesterol in the body known as LDL
  • It protects the liver and may help with those suffering with liver disease due to it being a powerful antioxidant which helps neutralize free radicals in the body.
  • It has anti-cancer properties and is a good source of Vitamin C which is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
  • It helps with menstrual pain and is also an anti-depressant.
  • It satiates thirst
  • It also helps with weight loss

It does have some warnings like pregnant women should not drink it, people with low blood pressure should a avoid it as well.

The source of the benefits and warnings comes from https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/hibiscus-tea.html

It also is delicious served warm or cold.  I will be making this a regular drink in my household, just remember everything in moderation.

Have you ever tried Hibiscus flower drink?  Let me know what you think in the comments below.  If you would like to purchase some online you can get the flowers here. I like the fact these are organic.  Please note that this post may contain affiliate links in which I earn a small commission but will not affect the price you pay.  I thank you for your support. 

If you like this recipe and post, be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world and follow me on instagram, pinterest and facebook for the latest.

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5 from 2 votes

Bissap du Burkina Faso (Burkinabe Hibiscus Flower Drink)

An tart drink that has incredible health benefits.
Course Drink
Cuisine Burkina Faso
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 25kcal
Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
  • Sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse the hibiscus flowers then place in a large pot, pour over the water.
  • Bring to a boil and continue boiling until the water is deeply colored.
  • Drain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve
  • Add sugar to taste and mix in the vanilla extract
  • Allow to cool and serve over ice for a refreshing drink.

Nutrition

Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 33mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 10.9mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 5.1mg