Almond delicacies: 5 recipes you'll love
What's the story
African almonds have a unique taste and provide various health benefits. They are a staple in many African cuisines. The nuts are rich in protein and healthy fats and lend a unique flavor to many traditional dishes. Here are five popular African dishes that use African almonds, highlighting the versatility of the ingredient in enhancing taste as well as nutrition.
Dish 1
Almond-infused jollof rice
We all love Jollof rice, the popular West African dish, with its vibrant color and delicious flavors. But when you add crushed African almonds to the mix, the dish gets another layer of texture and nuttiness. The almonds bring out the spicy tomato base, creating a perfect marriage of flavors. This variation is delicious and also enhances the nutritional profile with protein and healthy fats.
Dish 2
Nutty egusi soup
Egusi soup is a staple dish across various West African nations. While it is traditionally prepared with melon seeds, replacing or adding them with ground African almonds can make for a delicious twist. The almonds make the soup creamier while adding nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin E. This way you keep the essence of egusi soup intact while adding new flavors to it.
Dish 3
Almond-enriched fufu
Fufu is a staple food across various parts of Africa, commonly served with soups or stews. Adding ground African almonds to fufu dough gives a rich and deep flavor to the traditional dish. The nuts add a slightly nutty flavor to the dish while enhancing its nutritional value with essential fatty acids and proteins.
Dish 4
Spicy almond stew
This stew combines traditional spices and crushed African almonds for an aromatic experience that tantalizes taste buds. The nuts thicken the stew naturally without the need for additional thickeners like flour or cornstarch—makes it gluten-free friendly too! With each bite offering bursts of spice balanced by subtle nuttiness from these versatile seeds, this hearty meal satisfies both hunger pangs as well as cravings for something flavorful yet nutritious.
#5
Sweet almond porridge
For the sweet tooth—almond porridge is just the comfort you need on a cold morning when you need warmth the most. Cooked by simmering oats with milk (or plant-based alternatives) until creamy, before folding through finely chopped roasted African almond pieces, which impart their natural sweetness and crunchy texture through every spoonful savored at breakfast—or any time, really, since leftovers can be re-heated later if desired.