Chadian cuisine

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Kisra made with millet and okra sauce
Location of Chad

Chadian cuisine is the cooking traditions, practices, foods and dishes associated with the Republic of Chad. Chadians use a medium variety of grains, vegetables, fruits and meats. Commonly consumed grains include millet,[1] sorghum,[1] and rice as staple foods. Commonly eaten vegetables include okra and cassava. A variety of fruits are also eaten. Meats include mutton, chicken, pork, goat, fish, lamb and beef. The day's main meal is typically consumed in the evening on a large communal plate, with men and women usually eating in separate areas.[1] This meal is typically served on the ground upon a mat, with people sitting and eating around it.[1]

Northern and southern cuisines[edit]

Fish is more abundant in southern Chad, including tilapia, perch, eel, carp and catfish.[2] Southern Chadians do not consume many dairy products from livestock, and are not as dependent upon fish as a protein source, but have more options in using fresh produce and spices compared to people in northern Chad. People in Northern Chad include nomadic Arabs and Tuaregs who rely upon staple foods, including dairy products and meats.[3]

Foods and dishes[edit]

Millet porridge
Tilapia
  • Bread made from millet and sorghum that has been ground into flour[1]
  • Daraba is a traditional dish prepared with okra, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, peanut butter (or peanut paste), and additional ingredients.[4]
  • Dried, salted and smoked fish[2]
  • Esh is a common dish among northern Arabs that consists of boiled millet flour served with a moulah sauce.[3]
  • Fried[4] beef and fish
  • Jarret de boeuf is a traditional beef and vegetable stew. It is recommended to stew for at least 2 hours.[4]
  • Kisser is a type of sourdough crêpe[3]
  • La Bouillie is a traditional breakfast cereal that is served hot.[4] The main ingredients are rice or wheat, milk, peanut butter and flour.[4]
  • Millet pancakes and fried balls. Aiyash is a dish eaten by Chadian Arabs in which millet balls are dipped in various sauces.
  • Nile perch
  • Okra-based gumbo
  • Peanut butter[2]
  • Porridges made from millet and sorghum are common throughout the country.
  • Red beans are part of the diet in Southern Chad.[5]
  • Sauces prepared with meat, fish and spices. Sauces are sometimes used to dip various millet and sorghum foods, such as millet bread.[1]
  • Sesame seeds and sesame oil are used in many dishes[1]
  • Shea butter
  • Squash stew with peanuts[2]
  • Stews[1] are often prepared with cassava leaves and okra as the primary greens in them.[4]
  • Toasted termites and crickets[3]

Grains[edit]

Meats[edit]

Goat meat

Fruits and vegetables[edit]

Okra is widely consumed in Chad[2]
Sorghum balls with dried okra sauce[2]

* Particularly common in Southern Chad[1][2]

Beverages[edit]

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in Chad.[1] Red, black and green teas are consumed in Chadian cuisine. Karkanji/carcaje[1][2] is a red tea made from dried hibiscus flowers with ginger, clove, cinnamon and sugar added to taste. It is very common in Chad.[1] Liquor and millet beer are consumed by non-Muslim Chadians in Southern regions of the country.[1] Millet beer is known as bili-bili.[3]

Additional beverages in Chadian cuisine include:

International representation[edit]

Chadian cuisine has made its way into the international culinary scene. The globalization of food, travel, and the Chadian diaspora have all contributed to the spread of Chadian cuisine outside of Chad. In cities with significant African communities, such as Paris, London, and New York, Chadian dishes can sometimes be found in African restaurants or at cultural events.

Some popular Chadian dishes that have gained recognition abroad include:

  • Daraba: A vegetarian stew made from okra, tomatoes, and peanut butter, often served with rice or a type of porridge called "boule."
  • Dried fish: A common ingredient in Chadian cuisine, dried fish is often used to add flavor to various stews and soups.
  • Grilled meats: Grilled meats, such as goat or chicken, are a popular food in Chad, and can be found at roadside stalls and restaurants.
  • Boule: A thick porridge made from grains like millet, sorghum, or maize, often served with a sauce or stew.
  • La Bouillie: A sweet porridge made from rice or millet flour, sugar, and water, often flavored with ingredients like peanuts, coconut, or tamarind.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Zuchora-Walske, Christine (2009). Chad in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. pp. 53-55. ISBN 1575059568
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "African Cuisine - Chad | foodspring.com". Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Hitton, Shanti. "Food in Chad, Africa". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Evans, Dyfed Lloyd The Recipes of Africa. Dyfed Lloyd Evans. pp. 162-165
  5. ^ McGuigan, Brendan. "Culture of Chad, Africa". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  6. ^ Miller, Jeff; Deutsch, Jonathan (2009). "Food Studies". doi:10.5040/9781350047679. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)