West African food and drink
‘A lingering taste of coconut and vanilla’: how Nigerians reclaimed ‘moonshine’ palm spirit
On an eco resort near Lagos, distilled palm sap outlawed by colonial authorities is making a comeback
‘We won’t be ignored’: London’s west African eateries with Michelin stars
Chishuru and Akoko – both in Fitzrovia – are getting noticed for regional cuisine that has previously been overlooked
UK’s first black female Michelin-starred chef: ‘We’re at the forefront of west African food’
Adejoké Bakare, founder and head chef of Chishuru in London, says her achievement feels ‘quite surreal’
Yotam Ottolenghi recipes
Yotam Ottolenghi’s alternative pancake day recipesGrilled, stuffed foldover pancakes topped with melted cheese; rice pancakes with eggs, chilli and lime; and Welsh crempogau – a great alternative to crumpets – with a persimmon compote
Grace Dent on restaurants
Akara, London SE1: ‘Modern, playful, imaginative – a dig-in type of dinner’ – restaurant reviewAkoko’s new, more casual, younger sibling is a West African trailblazer in its own right
The good mixer
Cocktail of the week: Maria Bradford’s Leone star – recipeA west African twist on the prosecco cocktail, featuring pineapple and star fruit as striking additions
Aji Akokomi’s recipes for a west African barbecue: dibi lamb, joloff rice and fried plantain
Give your barbie a west African spin with slow-cooked lamb, spicy rice and fried plantains on the side
Budget meals
West African stew and peanut butter cups: Shivi Ramoutar’s budget peanut butter recipesStart with a West African sweet potato and chickpea stew, and round things off with some no-bake peanut butter cups that even the kids can make
Lerato Umah-Shaylor’s recipes for summer fruits in savoury dishes
The new vegan
Akwasi Brenya-Mensa’s vegan recipe for palaver sauce, or Ghanaian spinach stewOur unequal earth
Could an ancient, climate-friendly crop be the future of beer?
The new vegan
Akwasi Brenya-Mensa’s vegan recipe for tatale, or spicy plantain pancakesBeyoncé grant helps Nigerian tapas restaurant in London
Rainbow plates: the chefs reawakening Africa’s taste for vegan food
Can innovative cooks and entrepreneurs take the continent back to its plant-based roots? We’ve included chef Marie Kacouchia’s recipe for Senegalese cauliflower yassa so you can judge for yourself
Observer Food Monthly's 20 best recipes
Peanut and sweet potato stew recipe by Melissa ThompsonWith influences from West Africa and Jamaica, this aromatic vegetarian stew can be ready in less than half an hour
Yotam Ottolenghi recipes
West African-spiced chicken, curry leaf carrots: Ottolenghi’s Christmas feast – recipesA spatchcocked chicken in an irresistible peanut spice rub; apple, pancetta and wilted cabbage in a thyme and cider reduction, and spicy carrots with curry leaves and chilli
Finding fufu: Australia’s growing appetite for West African food
‘I think of suya and I’m on a Lagos beach with Mum’: celebrating Nigeria’s spice dish
Caterpillar ice-cream in Cape Town: the cafe showcasing African flavours
With ingredients such as chilli, clay and dried fish, Tapi Tapi’s frozen desserts are inspired by Africa’s dishes and food cultures
Grace Dent on restaurants
Tatale, London SE1: ‘Elegant, but defiantly homespun’ – restaurant reviewA relaxed, communal space serving African cooking with a modern, but sentimental twist
About 58 results for West African food and drink 
