kamerunische Rezepte * Chez Fadi

appetizer

Plantain bowls with avocado cream – a West African delicacy

By Fadi May 8, 2025

I love trying new recipes, especially when they're not only delicious but also visually appealing. These little plantain crackers with avocado, pomegranate, and shrimp have truly impressed me – and I'm sure they'll be a real eye-catcher at any party or dinner party you host. What's the secret? The base is green, unripe plantains, which are first deep-fried, then pressed into small bowls, and finally baked again until crispy. I fill these crispy bites with a creamy avocado puree, enhanced with lime, onion, and garlic. Fresh pomegranate seeds and sautéed shrimp are added on top – a real showstopper! Why I love this recipe so much: I love serving this appetizer when I have guests. It's always a hit because it's unique and looks so pretty. In fact, it's practically a must-have on my New Year's Eve table now – it's…

No category

6 (+2) typical Cameroonian holiday dishes

By Fadi December 21, 2024

It's almost here! Just a few more days, and we'll be in the midst of some of the most important holidays of the year. Almost everyone is caught up in the Christmas and/or New Year's fever: buying gifts for themselves and loved ones, decorating the home, preparing year-end reports – the to-do list seems endless, and time is running out. And then there's the big question: What should I cook during the holidays? Luckily, I don't have to ask myself that question this year! I'm being cooked for – with the most delicious and authentic ingredients that Cameroonian cuisine has to offer. And the best part: It's all happening right here in Cameroon, at my mother's house. Yes, this year I'm finally spending the holidays back in my old homeland. It's really been a long time since I last celebrated Christmas and New Year's in Cameroon. I couldn't be happier! Just the thought of it…

No category

Chili con vegan carne | Cameroonian corn feta with a twist

By Fadi November 30, 2024

Temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and the first snow is blanketing the landscape – it's officially winter. At this time of year, we look for dishes that not only fill our stomachs but also warm us from the inside out. A particularly delicious choice is chili con vegan carne, a hearty stew that manages (with) vegan mince and yet still delivers a wealth of flavors. But did you know that there's a dish from Cameroon that bears a striking resemblance to chili? Called cornschaff, it's also a satisfying and nutritious meal based on beans and corn – a perfect example of how culinary traditions can bridge different cultures. Chili con vegan carne – Hot, spicy, and entirely plant-based. Chili con vegan carne is a vegan take on the classic chili con carne, which originated in Texan-Mexican cuisine. The main ingredients are beans, corn, tomatoes, vegan mince, and a robust blend of spices that gives the dish its characteristic warmth and…

Leafy greens

Béwolè sauté| Leaf amaranth pan

By Fadi October 31, 2024

Béwolé, also known as biteku teku or leaf amaranth, is a green leafy vegetable that plays an important role in the cuisine of many African countries. Belonging to the amaranth family, it is particularly popular in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other regions of Central Africa. Its popularity stems not only from its delicious flavor but also from its high nutritional value and culinary versatility. In this article, we'll explore what makes béwolé so special, why it's healthy, and how it's traditionally prepared. What is béwolé? Béwolé is a green leafy vegetable that is somewhat reminiscent of spinach but has a more robust flavor. The plant thrives in tropical climates and is often cultivated on small farms and in gardens due to its relatively undemanding nature and rapid growth. In Cameroon and surrounding regions, béwolé, along with ndolè, is known as the "Queen of Greens" and is a staple food…

appetizer

Kossey – Beignets de koki/niébé | Black-eyed pea fritters

By Fadi April 27, 2024

Kossey, or as they're called in Cameroon, beignets de koki, and in Senegal, beignets de niébé, are delicious fried balls made from niébé, also known as cowpeas or black-eyed peas, which are popular in many African countries. These little delicacies are often seasoned with spices and herbs and are a delicious and crispy treat that simply must be enjoyed. Whether as a snack or as a side dish, kossey are a true delight for the senses. These beignets were a staple in my childhood. Especially during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, there were many varieties of beignets served at Iftar in the evenings, including kossey served with corn bouilli. The great thing about these beignets is that they are easy to make and very filling, so they are also perfect for breakfast and will keep you satisfied all day long. They also taste great even when cold…

Snack

Gari/le sauveur | Sweetened gari with roasted peanuts

By Fadi October 21, 2023

Have you ever heard of gari, or tapioca as we call it in Cameroon? Gari consists of cassava flour and is made from fermented cassava tubers. Its production is often still done by hand and therefore takes a lot of time. I've already published a post about gari in a different format. Today, however, I want to talk about gari as "le sauveur," which translates roughly as "the savior." Anyone who grew up in Cameroon or at least has close contact with Cameroonians will most likely have heard this term before. The name "le sauveur" comes from the fact that gari can save your life if there's nothing left to eat at home or if you're, for example, broke. Since it's very inexpensive, people always keep a certain amount of gari at home, along with sugar, because it's filling and leaves you wanting more..

Beignets

Massa – Beignets de riz | Rice fritters

By Fadi September 30, 2023

Massa are rice beignets. These beignets were a staple of my childhood. The recipe comes from the Hausa people and was almost always prepared by Hausa women and sold as street food. There was a special time when we could make them at home: during the month of Ramadan, served with mbusiri. During this time, great importance is placed on healthy eating, so we made many things ourselves during that month. What's special about these beignets is their shape. You can only achieve that shape in a special poffertjes pan. I searched for a long time before I finally found one. I was so happy and was able to try it out the very next day after it arrived. First, I searched the internet for the recipe I remembered best. But then I came across this one. Unlike me…

Main course

Pilé de Pommes | Mashed potatoes with beans and palm oil

By Fadi September 2, 2023

Pilé de pommes, or simply Pilé, is a simple yet delicious dish made with mashed potatoes, red or black beans, and palm oil. This time, I deliberately chose black beans, as I rarely cook with this type of bean and because the original recipe supposedly calls for it. The ingredients for this dish are truly affordable for almost everyone, which is why I would categorize it as "poor people's food." Beans are among the most popular and important staple foods in Cameroon and throughout West Africa, as they grow relatively everywhere and are therefore inexpensive. Furthermore, bean dishes are not only very healthy and rich in protein, but they are also incredibly filling. Since Pilé in its original form is prepared entirely without animal products, the dish is ideal for a vegan, yet protein-rich diet. Of course, there are also the…

sauces

Sûp Chuem | Tomato sauce accompaniment to the chuem

By Fadi August 19, 2023

The summer has been quite hot these past few days, and although I don't know why, this humid weather has constantly reminded me of sun-ripened tomatoes. That's probably one of the reasons why I often preserve tomatoes in the summer. After making numerous jars of tomato sauce again this year, and still having plenty of tomatoes left over, I suddenly remembered this simple dish from my tribe (Bamun). I've already published this recipe for a pumpkin leaf sauce (Chuem) here before. It's one of the most popular sauces among the Bamun, served with couscous. Traditionally, Chuem is vegetarian, even vegan, as it contains no animal products at all. However, it's very often served with a very spicy tomato sauce, which in turn can contain meat or fish. Preparing this tomato sauce is very quick, fuss-free, and truly simple. The sauce…

fruit

Safou/Prune | African plum

By Fadi August 5, 2023

Schon mal von Safou bzw. Prune oder von afrikanischer Pflaume gehört? Dann Lade ich Dich heute ein um diesen wunderbaren Frucht kennenzulernen. Herkunft Safou ist die Frucht vom Safoutier, den afrikanischen Pflaumenbaum, auch bekannt als Busc-Butterbaum oder wissenschaftlich Dacryodes edulis. Es gehört zur Familie der Balsamgewächse (Burseraceae), wäschst hauptsächlich in Zentral- und Westafrika und ist einer der wenige Baumarten, die ausschließlich in Zentralafrika angebaut wird. Die Frucht wird je nach Region anders benannt. In Kamerun ist es vor allem unter dem Namen Prune bekannt. Der Begriff Safou wird zwar auch verwendet, kommt aber aus der RDC. In Gabun dagegen wird eher der Begriff Atanga mit dieser Frucht assoziert. Ob in Kamerun, RDC oder Gabun, die Beliebheit Safou bleibt überall groß. Farbe und Geschmack Safou gibt es in viele Farben, Formen und Geschmack. Die Farbe kann von beige, hellrosa, lila bis dunkelblau Variieren. Wobei ich die Erfahrung gemacht habe, je dunkler…